photo- Master Mindstormers (credit: Kristen Toffer)
FLL
Between 2013 and December 2014, Wellesley went from having 1 to 15 FIRST LEGO League (FLL) teams (www.usfirst.org/aboutus/get-involved).
A group of local parents, set up teams where children led, applied what they knew, found unique solutions and led their own learning within a project-based, LEGO building, robotics curriculum.
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Sounds simple enough? Except in these teams children learned to work together forming ad hoc, small groups to focus on different needs such as computer programming, mechanical design, game strategy and presentation technique, all the while also learning how to keep cool under pressure while keeping in mind one of the core FLL values: “what we discover is more important than what we win.”
FLL was a featured participant at the Wellesley STEM Expo last year, part of the Wellesley Education Foundation (WEF) umbrella, which showcased over 75 exhibits.
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The expo’s steering committee put together a list of STEM offerings based on community demand for more STEM offerings that run throughout the year. Two-thirds of FLL parent-coaches and their families attended Expo 2014 and half of them were emphatic about the “benefits” of FLL type, extracurricular activities, especially for girls between the third- and eighth-grades.
The Wellesley FLL 2014 coterie came out strong with three all-girls teams. One parent-coach also commented on “how well FLL fits” with Wellesley Public School’s curriculum review and evolving model- being designed to create STE(A)M platforms for students that engage them while they are still forming their attitudes towards these subjects.
The Wellesley STEM Expo steering committee, along with WEF, sends out “a mighty message of congratulations and thank you” to all the teams who participated in FLL 2014, “and shared their sheer joy for STEM.”
Henry Dormitzer and Sheila Olson led the Brainstormers, who won the award for
“Gracious Professionalism” at the Northborough qualifier and advanced to the state finals at WPI. Marybeth Martello and Joe Baron coached team G-Force, who won the “Innovative Solution Award” also at the Northborough Qualifier.
Parents Robert and Alexa Plenge coached the Bates LEGO Ladies. Team RoboRaiders, with parent-coaches, Tyler Battaglia and Karen Pekowitz won the “Presentation Award” at the Melrose Qualifier. Parents Kristen Toffer and Peter Bonnette took charge of coaching the Master Mindstormers. James Landry and Jason Fiorillo teamed up to guide team Robo Masters. Ansley Martin and Katey Goehringer put together a Junior FLL team called HardyWell3 (in honor of students from Hardy and Hunnewell Schools) and Traci Battle and Mary Wells, who discovered FLL in 2013, coached team Boss Bates Robotics. After the regional qualifier at BU, they too advanced to the state competition at WPI.
The Expo steering committee hopes for lots of participation at this year’s STEM Expo on March 28, which promises several additions including a sports cluster highlighting STEM in action in your favorite sports and input from the newly formed Teen Advisory Committee to increase teen participation and incorporation of the Arts in STEM to form STEAM.
Lastly, Expo needs your help- they are looking for a league commissioner to help match students to teams for the 2015 FLL season. They can be contacted at Wellesleyfll@gmail.com.
Learn more about the Wellesley Stem Expo by following them on Facebook here www.facebook.com/groups/wellesleysciencetech expo.
