Help Needed!

LEGO Club needs

What is needed for your child to participate in LEGO Club at Francis Parker?

Students in grades SK through second grade are invited to build with us on Wednesday afternoons in Mrs. Imbimbo’s science lab.
We were the fortunate recipients of a generous donation of funds to purchase Lego's and LEGO We-Do  software that enables builders to automatize their creations with motors, sounds and more.
Our program at Parker is based on the Jr. First Lego League, which  is a volunteer program.  I am happy to offer my guidance as a teacher for our JR. LANCER-BOTS, however a successful program can only happen with parent help.  

Upcoming Events

• Wednesday, March 20 Parent Information Meeting.
• Every Wednesday April 3 through May 22 LEGO Club meetings.  Build and play "The Soccer Game" LEGO challenge.
• April brings the sign up for next season's Jr.  FLL challenge, "Nature's Fury".

Budget needs, what will it cost for my child to participate?

• Team registration costs
• Jr. FLL Expo at Legoland. $20 per team member, $27 per coach and guest.  Passes are not accepted for team members and coaches.  All must be registered by December 1 to reserve a favorable time slot.
• Team t-shirts, poster materials.
• Snacks
• More We-do kits and computers?

1or 2 parent coaches needed for each 4-6 kids.

• Coaches will be trained in the LEGO We-Do kit.

• Coaches will be supplied with plans to help the children build LEGOS to solve the challenge posed by Jr. First LEGO League.

• Can anyone coach?  Yes!  Coaches guide the team through the season by facilitating discussion and encouraging problem solving. No technical background is required to be a coach, just a willingness to learn with the children. The coach is the main point of contact and is responsible for disseminating all information to the team.

Behind the scenes jobs.

• Ordering

• LEGO Organization.  Sort LEGOS according to parts.  This can be done on a flexible schedule.  This is one of my favorite jobs and can be so soothing I wouldn’t hear my students come in for their science class!

• Organization of contacts for of kids and parents. .

• Scheduling events; field trips, LEGOLAND expo, WARLords visits.

• Snack organization for Wednesday meetings.  

• Photographers who will share photos or even yet, post them to our blog.

• Research helpers.  Our young students need guidance to research a few relevant facts about the mission.

• Organization of team wear for events; t-shirts, hats, or buttons.

Contact Roberta Imbimbo if you would like to help us.
rimbimbo@francisparker.org  (619) 298-9110 ext.6248

Watch us at LEGOLAND!

Here we are at our first Jr. FLL event. Now we'll take a break until April.

What I've seen here and there in the last year.

A short video clip of the Jr. FLL Expo from 2012 and our builders in action.

Detrik's Grandfather

Mr. Heidt’s visit about his childhood. He was 10 years old in World War II

• Garrett asked if the had LEGOS.
• TV He didn't have TV, he had a radio.  Max asked about the size of a radio.
• Computers. They had Typewriters and Carbon paper.
• Google.  He had books called The Encyclopedia Britannica.
• Cell Phones.  Telephone booth you put money in the phone to make a call.  Pierce asked why it was like box?  Hannah thought it was so noise can’t get in.
• ipods. Jukebox, records.  Audrey asked what is the stored on?  Toren said records have little bumps, the music rings when the needle goes over the grooves.  Water Transportation.  Big ships
• Traffic Lights.  Street Signs.  Annika and David asked about how it worked with the cars.
• Charlotte asked what’s changed that is not electronic?
• Claudia asked if he had writing pencils.

Senior Partners Wanted!

Dear Jr. FLL Families,

Please note; we will not meet next week on Halloween!!!

The Jr. FLL teams are in need of  Senior Partners to assist them with the 2012 Super Seniors Challenge.  The Jr. FLL teams will learn about the Senior Partner and the changes that they have experienced over their lifetime. Using this information the teams will choose one item that the Senior Partner has identified as having changed in their lifetime and learn about it. The children will design and build a LEGO model showing the item and how it has changed over time. They will also create a poster about the team and the item they have chosen. 

 The Senior Partner can be any adult over the age of 60 who is willing to talk to the LEGO Club about their life and changes that they have experienced in technology, transportation, entertainment and other areas.

 The Senior Partner will need to attend ONE LEGO Club meeting on November 7, 14, or 29 from 3:30 to 4:30

Interested volunteers should email Ms. Imbimbo at rimbimbo@francisparker.org

To learn about the 2012 Super Seniors Challenge, click on the link below.

 http://jrfirstlegoleague.org/2012-super-seniors-challenge.html

Thank you!

2012-2013 Schedule

Junior FIRST LEGO League

Season Calendar

August 1,2012	Registration Opens & Base Kit Ordering Begins
August 1,2012	Challenge Released
November - May	Event Season
April 17,2013	Registration Closes
April 2013	Jr.FLL World Festival Expo - St. Louis

Jr FLL Calendar Meetings are help 3:30-4:30 in the Science Lab at the Lower School.
Wed	3-Oct
Wed	10-Oct
Wed	17-Oct
Sat	Oct-20	Battle at the Border, Francis Parker Upper School
Wed	24-Oct
Wed	31-Oct	Halloween No Meeting
Wed	7-Nov	Lower School Admissions Open House
Wed	14-Nov
Wed	21-Nov	Thanksgiving week
Wed	28-Nov
Wed	5-Dec
Fri	7-Dec	Jingle Bell Rockin’ Robots Fest for all Parker Robotics students.  3:00-5:00, LS
Wed	12-Dec	2nd & 3rd grade show stoppers, no meeting????
Wed	19-Dec
Wed	9-Jan
Wed	16-Jan
Sat	22-Jan	Jr FFL Expo at LEGOLAND

Help Wanted!

Help Wanted!

Needed:  At least one adult coach for every six students in our LEGO Builders Club.  Currently we have about thirty five first, second, and third graders who need adult help with facilitating team work.  
Coaches will be supplied with plans to help the children build LEGOS to solve the challenge posed by Jr. First LEGO League of technological changes people over the age of sixty have seen in their lifetime.
When:  Wednesdays after school, 3:30-4:30, now through the expo at LEGOLAND on Saturday, January 22.

Can anyone coach?

Yes!  Coaches guide the team through the season by facilitating discussion and encouraging problem solving. No technical background is required to be a coach, just a willingness to learn with the children. The coach is the main point of contact and is responsible for disseminating all information to the team.
Click on the links below for more information from Jr. FLL
Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if I get involved?

Jr. FLL website

Contact Roberta Imbimbo if you would like to help us.
(619) 298-9110
rimbimbo@francisparker.org