NCaFLL Tournament Team Preparation Checklist - What to Bring!

Newark HS Event Center ~ January 25, 2009

Updated December 21, 2008 11:20AM

What to Bring:

• WEAR SOFT SOLED SHOES TO PROTECT THE GYM FLOOR!
• Download and print a copy of your team's detailed schedule (posted after the team's registration is complete)
• Bring a laptop computer with your programs on it. We recommend battery backup. Also, we recommend having a backup of your programs on a CD or other media in case the unthinkable happens.
• Bring a power strip and an extension cord (at least 8 ft) for supplying power to your computer at the pit area table. Power will be available, but it may not be directly at your team's pit table.
• Bring a team flag to hang from PVC flag pole. This flag may be 11” wide and up to 30” long, it will hang from the top edge (11” side) - so if you are using a 8.5" x11" piece of paper, it will be in "landscape" mode - the long side will be the top .  Make it from paper or what ever you would like.  Examples from the 2007 San Jose Gunderson tournament
• When going to judging:
  • Bring a printout of your programs (preferred), or a notebook computer for the robot design judging.
  • Bring all robots and all attachments to the robot design judging
  • Bring project presentation materials and any other documentation to the presentation judging.
• Bring your Mindstorms kit for making changes or repairs to your robot.
• Bring fresh batteries.
• Bring a protective box to transport your robot for both the design judging and robot performance rounds. The pit area is in a different part of the building than the competition floor. Robots don't bounce like Tiggers, they break.
• Bring a box or cloth (aka a garage) to cover a RCX robot and IR tower during program downloads. All RCX robots must be covered during downloading programs and downloading can only be done in the team's pit area. Do not use tape on your RCX.
• No Bluetooth - only USB for NXT equipment
• Bring your team members (make sure you know how they are getting to the tournament)
• Bring money to buy food, tournament souvenirs and raffle tickets.
• Cell phone number of someone that can reach your team late in the tournament day in case of judge's callbacks.
• PLEASE: NO FOOD OR DRINK IS ALLOWED IN THE GYM, PITS OR THE JUDGING ROOMS
• We will have access to the school's cafeteria (aka Student Commons) where teams can eat
• Bring a great attitude and enthusiasm - it is a long day and many things can go wrong. The team members' outlook is typically related to the outlook of the adults around them: parents, mentors and coaches. FIRST LEGO League is about the season - the journey. Going to the championship tournament is a great achievement - don't diminish the achievements of the team due to just one day (good or bad)!

OPTIONAL ITEMS

• Bring a project board that is related to your research project. This can be displayed in your pit area to highlight your FLL season. This is like a "science fair" project board for your pit table.
• Bring a team poster. Be sure to include your team name & number and something relating to this year's theme (make sure it isn't too heavy to be held up with tape!) This will be hung on the walls of your pit area as decoration.
• Bring extra folding chairs - we will have only 4 chairs available per team.