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FIRST LEGO League Explore

Coach Training

2025 Season

Grab a seat - we’ll start soon!

Questions are welcome & encouraged at any time during the training

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Welcome to Piedmont Makers

2025 Season of FIRST LEGO League Explore

It’s going to be fun!

You’re in the right place!

Is that hub charged?

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We are…

Marta Lutsky

VP, FLL Explore

@marta

robotics@piedmontmakers.org

Kevin Clark

President, Piedmont Makers

@Kevin Clark

robotics@piedmontmakers.org

Piedmontmakers.org

Chris Groboske

VP, FLL Explore

@chris

robotics@piedmontmakers.org

Alya Hameed

FLL Program Manager

@Alya Hameed

alya@piedmontmakers.org

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Who is in the room? (stand up sit down)

Stand up if your child started school already this year

Stand up if you wanted another week of summer

Stand up if you were or are ready for kids to be back in school

Stand up if you played with Lego as a child

Stand up if you play with Lego as an adult (without your kids)

Stand up if you came to the Piedmont Maker Faire last year

Stand up if you attended the Explore Festival last year

Stand up if you have coached a non-Lego team or lead a Scout troop

Stand up if you’ve messaged your Lego team already

Stand up if this is your very first time coaching a Lego team

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THANK YOU

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Training Outline

New Season Theme: UNEARTHED
The Very Basics: What are we doing?
What is the festival?
Returning SPIKE kits
Challenges / Tips Tricks

****Returning Coaches Pick up Materials*****

New Coaches INTRO part 1
BREAK to pick up materials
New Coaches INTRO part 2

Feel free to interrupt with questions

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This year’s theme is…

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UNEARTHED

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Engineering Notebooks, FIRST Curriculum, and other resources

PDFs:

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What did I sign up for?

Hosting 12 weekly sessions
Providing space for kids to build, code, learn and play using the FIRST LEGO materials and curriculum
Creating a final project for the festival

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FLL Explore Festival!

What is it?

End of season celebration and presentation

When is it?

Saturday 12/6

One week after Thanksgiving

Where?

Piedmont Middle School Buzz Gym

Who comes?

All FLL participants, coaches, and families!

Why do we gather?

To celebrate, show our learnings, and have fun!

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Festival Project: Model & Poster

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Cuckoo Carrots

Big Luigis

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SPIKE KIT

Must be returned intact
Keep it organized
Don’t add pieces to the box
Note missing pieces upon return

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Gold Star Examples:

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SPIKE KIT HALL OF SHAME

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Challenges/Tips and Tricks

Creating a work space / Keeping materials organized

- butcher paper, trays

- Tables with a lip, build on the floor and put out a blanket

Clean up tip: use garage space, easy to sweep up

Session Structure: - small group work, two different spaces

-Provide snacks in the beginning, middle, or end of session (or not at all)

-Use TeamSnap so parents can connect to their calendars and have people sign up for snacks

-if a kid wants more time, could send Spike kit home to code, ask kids to bring video related to theme

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Challenges/Tips and Tricks (continued)

Including all kids / Challenging kid behavior

Give kids an outlet for chaos (e.g. cat break)
Break up into three groups, one group free builds, one uses notebooks and coding, only two kids on the computer
Assign roles - make this an exercise in teamwork and communication (builders, finders, readers)
A couple kids working on primary build, individual time for programming one-on-one - each child gets a chance
Ask a parent to stay, some kids need somebody next to them
If child needs more support: headphones for security and if too chaotic, create separate space, give breaks, awareness and flexibility
Focus on kindness and kind words

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Challenges/Tips and Tricks (continued)

Managing large teams (7+)

- Know the capacity/interests of the age group

Ask for parent and other volunteers, middle schoolers who might be interested
Flexibility is key
Second Spike kit available

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Tips for Younger Kids (K and 1st)

Reading abilities vary, tailor lessons accordingly
45 minutes for lesson may be enough
Try to split into smaller groups as full group work can be difficult to manage
Use SPIKE optional lessons, or combine two lessons to create small group activities
Consider structuring each lesson into 4 stages (e.g. 5-10 min arrive and draw/write response to a prompt in notebook, 5 min intro to build, 20 minute build (in small groups), 5 min share and 5 min cleanup
Depending on timing, consider offering a snack and/or free play time

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Tips for 2nd and 3rd Graders

By this age, kids should be able to focus longer, write in the notebooks, and take more initiative with the builds
Encourage team roles and let the kids start to guide more of the building and coding
It’s good practice to split the team in two and have one group building and one group coding and then switch off
Consider adding materials to go deeper on the theme (e.g. videos, books)

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Returning Coaches:

What are additional tips and tricks ?

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A Preview of Today’s Homework

FIRST Forms (See the APPENDIX for screenshot instructions)

Consent & Release
Youth Protection Screening (Background Check)

Team Welcome & Schedule

Use TeamSnap to send the welcome message (template provided)
Use TeamSnap to set practice time/location, with automatic reminders
Use TeamSnap to schedule snack helpers

Say hi to other coaches in Slack
Open & organize your SPIKE kit, CHARGE your hub
Download SPIKE lessons & preview for yourself
Read the Team Meeting Guide

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RETURNING COACHES - GO GET GEAR

Pick up coach shirts
Pick up Explore box
Pick up roll of t-shirts (1 per child)
Team Guide (1 per team)
Notebook for each child
If you didn’t keep Spike kit, pick up kit
If you have missing Spike parts - pick up

YOU DO NOT NEED TO RETURN TO TRAINING, BUT FEEL FREE TO STAY AND PLAN YOUR FIRST SESSION!

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Part I: Introduction �FIRST

Piedmont Makers

FLL Explore Season

TeamSnap

Slack

Gear pickup

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About FIRST

Global nonprofit designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in STEM while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.

- Different levels of competition, multiple entry points

FIRST stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. I became interested in starting a FIRST team as a way to encourage my child’s interest in engineering. I wanted to see if we could create a team, find some like-minded kids and make an impact. I founded Piedmont Pioneers with Julia Laczay in the Spring of 2016 under the Piedmont Makers banner. We recruited 10 middle school kids and their awesome families, 3 mentors and fitted out a garage and decided to enter First Tech Challenge. We knew it was going to be difficult given we were entering a mostly high school competition. But we worked hard and held our own ! The results have been spectacular. The kids have a close bond, increased confidence and my own son has set his sights on being an engineer, getting into a good engineering school and is now applying himself a lot more at school.

I spent significant time trying to recruit girls to the team, to no avail, but many of them are here tonight. We are hopeful we can transform that interest into a girls team next year. Scotbotics are also here. They have been around for a while. We worked with them a lot and they were tremendously helpful in answering questions along the way.

I am truly happy to have found such a wonderful ecosystem and want to expand the impact to more kids in Piedmont. Our goal in two years is to have an FRC team at Piedmont High School. This would involve a much bigger budget and a bigger team.

We couldn’t have done it without Julia’s funding and she continues to support our vision of promoting engineering excellence in Piedmont. I look forward to working with you in creating more teams.

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FIRST Core Values

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What is FIRST LEGO League Explore?

LEGO Education�SPIKE to show�their ideas

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FIRST VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkN08bDv9EI

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Growth of Piedmont Makers FLL Explore (K-3rd)

Total=335

Total=395

Total=264

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FLL Explore Registration & Team Formation

Teams were formed based on age, school, gender mix/preference, coach/friend preference

Targeting 5-6 children/team

Fee includes:

FIRST registration
LEGO SPIKE Essential & Explore Kit
Engineering Notebooks
Festival Registration
T-Shirt
League costs

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2025 FLL Explore Season Summary

August 5th: UNEARTHED Season Release
August 17th: Coach Training
End of August: Team Practices Begin - Build & Research
August–November: Regular season

Teams meet ~once / week, at Parent/coach discretion
Season runs ~12 sessions (breaks are fine! Be reasonable and have fun!)
Last 2-3 sessions: Poster making, final build & festival preparation

December 6th: FLL Explore Festival (timing TBD)
After Dec 6th - optional- final team closing session/party

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FOR YOUR TEAM

View rosters 🧍🏼🧍🏽‍♀️🧍🏾‍♂️
Set practice schedule 🕥 on calendar
Assign tasks (volunteers, snacks) ✔️
Message your team ✉️
See all past communication

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FLL Explore Coach Community

FOR COACHES

Talk to commissioners 📣
Poll your fellow coaches (140+ 💪🏻)
Share tips and tricks ➡️
Share code and programs 🔂
Plan cross-team events 🥰

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Today’s Gear

LEGO SPIKE Essential

2. FLL Explore Set

3. Notebooks

ONE engineer notebook per kid

ONE team workbook per team

4. Team Shirts

(1 per kid)

5. Coach Shirts

(1 per coach)

6. Clear box for non-Spike Lego

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Find your team number (TeamSnap)

BREAK

Go pick up your gear, come back

Introduce yourself to someone new:

Your Name
Kid age(s) and school(s)

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Part II: Gear, Lessons & Resources

Gear Overview

Lesson Plans: The FLL Explore Curriculum

Materials you provide

LEGO SPIKE App

SPIKE Programming

Digital Resources

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Notes on Gear

The LEGO you receive must be returned at the end of the season
Most important: the SPIKE kit must be kept organized and complete - it will be used by future teams.
Explore set includes numbered bags that are used in the lessons, don’t empty them until needed.
Use provided box to store and keep

Explore set organized

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The Gear - let’s take a look!

LEGO SPIKE Essential

2. FLL Explore Set

3. Notebooks

ONE engineer notebook per kid

ONE team workbook per team

4. Team Shirts (1 per kid)

5. Coach Shirts (1 per coach)

6. Clear box for non-Spike Lego

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SPIKE KIT

Pieces organized by color

Camera sensor

Hub and charging cable

3x3 light

Two rotating parts

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NOTEBOOKS: FLL Explore Curriculum

Engineering Notebook

Team Meeting Guide

Pg. 10

Pg. 12

Step by step teaching

Guiding Questions

Session Tips

List of materials needed

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2025 FLL Explore Curriculum

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UNEARTHED Explore Kit

The Team Meeting Guide will reference

what bags of materials are needed

Some lessons require both the Explore

Kit and the Spike Kit to

make builds move

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Materials YOU Provide

A tablet or laptop to run the SPIKE app and provide additional building instructions, show videos
Pencils for each child
Markers, crayons, colored pencils
Scrap paper
Scissors, glue, tape
Poster board for Festival

Optional:

A second Tablet
Butcher paper
Trays
Small plastic bins or bags to organize Lego

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The LEGO Education SPIKE App

Controls the SPIKE Hub
Mac, Windows, iPad, Android, Chromebook
Drag & drop programming
Downloadable Unit Plans
Special FLL Explore Unit
Download App Here

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SPIKE First Run - choose “Essential”

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SPIKE App Interface

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FLL Curriculum Connecting to SPIKE Lesson

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SPIKE FLL Lessons

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Before? SPIKE App can be a little confusing …

At FLL Lesson 1 - the team has not done any of the other SPIKE models, but the story is written as if they have.

Just ignore and proceed…

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Step-by-Step Instructions for Building & Coding

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SPIKE Programming Progression

LEGO SPIKE programming: Coding Video

Not Available for SPIKE Essential

Not Recommended

for FLL

(If reading & capable)

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FLL Curriculum not enough? �Examples of Optional SPIKE Lessons

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Digital Resources (for reference)

Powerpoint Slides for

each Weekly Session

(if you really want)

Explore UNEARTHEDTM Slides

List of other resources for each session, including youtube videos (from QR codes) and books to check out:

PDF here

FLL Explore Resource Library

Link here

Electronic copies of paper notebooks:

Engineering Notebook PDF

Team Meeting Guide PDF

LEGO Instructions Book 1

LEGO Instructions Book 2

Download SPIKE App Here

Download TeamSnap app Here

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Today’s Homework

FIRST Forms (See the APPENDIX for screenshot instructions, website firstinspires.org)

Consent & Release
Youth Protection Screening (Background Check)

Team Welcome & Schedule

Use TeamSnap to send the welcome message (template provided)
Use TeamSnap to set practice time/location, with automatic reminders
Use TeamSnap to schedule snack helpers

Say hi to other coaches in slack
Open & organize your SPIKE, CHARGE your hub
Download SPIKE lessons & preview for yourself
Read the Team Meeting Guide

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Preparation for a Practice Session

Read Team Meeting Guide and decide how to structure lesson

(you may use all, none, or some of the provided lessons)

Check that you have second coach or parent volunteer coming
Gather any additional material (load SPIKE lesson, video, or choose writing prompt)
Create initial prompt or activity for when kids walk in
Clear designated team work space or spaces
Put out all necessary materials: Lego, building instructions, notebooks, pencils and any saved previous builds
Charge Tablet/laptop
Charge Hub

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Questions?

Thank you!

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APPENDIX

Team Safety

FIRST Forms How-To

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COVID & Air Quality

Piedmont Makers is following guidance for safety protocols for COVID-19 from PUSD.
There is no current state of emergency and the virus is now considered endemic.
Please be respectful of your team’s individual needs for COVID and other illness precautions and safety.

Piedmont Makers is following guidance for safety protocols for Air Quality from PUSD (Section 3514).
In short:

AQI <100 - Outdoor activities ok
AQI 101-150 - Move activities indoors if air quality is controlled at that location
AQI >150 - Do not hold activities; Makers stay home

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Getting to the FIRST website

You should have an invite from firstinspires.org in your email

If you don’t, reach out to Marta or Chris on slack

NOTE: FIRST website will be closed for update on 8/25, new login experience 8/26

August 18

Editing freeze for user legal name and email.

August 25

FIRST Dashboard closes for maintenance.

August 26

New login experience is available for all users.

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Initial Splash page (turn off at bottom)

Scroll Down

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When you initially login - page is empty

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Complete the “Acknowledgement Forms”

Your Name

AKA “Consent and Release”

Click

Scroll

Sign

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Now your team shows up

Expand using arrow at left of row

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Next: Complete YPS (Background Check)

Top right hand corner, click on your name to see this menu

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Double Check C&R & YPS for Both Coaches

Even if there are no “Outstanding Tasks,” you still may not be done.

Please also check the “manage contacts” page to verify C&R and YPS for each coach.

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You DON’T need to add youth members

Just verify C&R and YPS for 2 coaches

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“Manage Contacts” page

OK:

Neither Done

C&R Not Done

YPS Done