FLL Session 3: Team Identity ("Lego Legends"), Innovation Launch, Robot Base Modularity & CRM Challenges¶

Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Attendees: 9 Kids, Mentors/Coaches
Season Phase: Team Dynamics, Innovation Project Launch, Base Modularity & Stress Resilience

[!IMPORTANT]

🧭 Session 3 Coaching Architecture: Front-Load Thinking, End with High-Energy Action¶

Today’s curriculum is strategically ordered to match 10-year-olds' natural cognitive and energy curves:

Start with Team Identity & Innovation (1:00 – 1:45 PM): While minds are fresh, celebrate our official Team Name (Lego Legends), hand out student-driven DRI (Directly Responsible Individual) roles, cover any preso or topics a student wants to share, and launch our Innovation Project research direction.

Build Modular Robots with Peer Handoffs (1:55 – 2:50 PM): Hands-on engineering on the Advanced Modular Driving Base and SPIKE motor programming, driven by the Peer Ambassador Handoff system.

Finish with the CRM Stress Gauntlet (3:00 – 3:30 PM): Right before clean-up, channel afternoon energy into our signature Crew Resource Management (CRM) one-handed duo challenges to drill stress resilience, assertive callouts, and blameless teamwork!

📌 Coach's Prep & Materials Checklist¶

Team Identity & Innovation Materials:
Whiteboard and colored dry-erase markers for Team Name voting and ocean problem affinity mapping.
Sticky notes or voting dots for Team Name selection.
8 DRI role cards or assignment sheet.
Kids' completed Innovation Project Worksheets or research notes from midweek.
Reference copy of the Mentor Innovation Project Rubric Guide.
Robot Hardware Ready:
2x SPIKE Prime Hubs fully charged (100%).
LEGO Education SPIKE Prime Core + Expansion Sets sorted.
Tablets with SPIKE App installed and paired to Hubs via Bluetooth.
Building instructions bookmarked: Advanced Driving Base Assembly.
Motor and sensor testing modules ready for Station B: SPIKE Prime Getting Started.
CRM Challenge Kits (5 identical kits for 4 pairs + 1 mentor pair):
Use 5 small bins or zip bags. In each bag, place pieces for a simple Technic lever arm:
- 2x Technic 13M Beams (Grey or Black)
- 1x Technic 7M Beam (different color, e.g., Yellow or Blue)
- 4x Black friction pins with ridges
- 2x Blue axle-pins
- 1x 4M axle + 1x 24-tooth gear (for a pivot hinge)
For Challenge 2 (Secret Prep): Mentors keep 1 extra bag with spare pins hidden away.
Match & Activity Timer:
Project the team's Interactive Match Timer onto the large TV/monitor with audio alerts enabled, or use a large digital stopwatch.
Rewards & Handouts:
Pokémon cards & team incentive tokens.
10 copies of the Pokémon CRM Kids Checklist Flyer (Guide) for team binders.
2–3 cardstock copies of the Mentor CRM Pocket Cue Card (Guide) for coaches/mentors.

🕒 Schedule Breakdown (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)¶

gantt
    title Session 3 Timeline (Saturday, Sep 26)
    dateFormat HH:mm
    axisFormat %H:%M

    section Team Identity and Innovation
    Welcome and Official Team Name Vote : 13:00, 15m
    Innovation Project and 8 DRI Roles  : 13:15, 30m

    section Recharge Break
    Bio Break and Energy Snack          : 13:45, 10m

    section Robot Building and Training
    Split-Station Robot Camp (Block 1)  : 13:55, 30m
    Peer Ambassador Teaching Swap       : 14:25, 10m
    Reverse Handoff and Testing         : 14:35, 15m
    Station Debrief and Learnings       : 14:50, 10m

    section CRM Stress Gauntlet
    CRM Intro (Aviate-Navigate-Communicate) : 15:00, 05m
    Gauntlet Mini-Challenges (Rotated)      : 15:05, 25m

    section Wrap-Up
    Clean-Up Protocol Sprint            : 15:30, 15m
    Circle Up, Rubber Ducky and Rewards : 15:45, 15m

🚀 1:00 - 1:15 PM | Welcome, Circle-Up & Official Team Name Selection (15 min)¶

Gather the team in a circle.
High-Energy Kickoff: Quick check-in on the week and team energy.
Brainstorm & Vote on Official Team Name:
Every FLL team needs a distinct identity, mascot, and team culture!
Write student suggestions on the whiteboard (e.g., themed around BIOGLOW, ocean bioluminescence, robotics, or Calgary local identity).
The 2-Minute Voting Process: Give every student 2 sticky dots (or marker tallies) to vote for their favorite top 2 candidates.
Confirm the consensus name and celebrate with the team!
Core Values Cheer: Practice our team mnemonic "DIFI-IT!" (Discovery, Innovation, Fun, Impact, Inclusion, Teamwork):

Coach: "What do we do to challenges?"
Kids: "DIFI-IT!"

🌊 1:15 - 1:45 PM | Innovation Project: Discovery, Presentation Vision & DRI Roles (30 min)¶

1. Midweek Homework Review¶

Go around the circle: What ocean and aquatic habitat problems did each student discover?
What issues sparked excitement? (e.g., microplastic ingestion, noise pollution disturbing marine mammals, biofouling on municipal pilings, harsh floodlights disrupting deep bioluminescent creatures).

2. The Strategic Question: Go Global or Go Local?¶

Guide the students through the big dilemma using Socratic prompts (see our Mentor Innovation Rubric Guide): * "Do we want to try to solve global climate change, or do we want to go local and help our home region (e.g., Calgary, the Bow River watershed, or a specific localized ecosystem)?" * Mentor Tip: Remind kids that in FLL judging, hyper-specific, localized problems score much higher than broad global topics because the team can reach real experts and design a targeted solution!

3. Creative Presentation Formats¶

Prompt the team to envision how they want to present in the 5-minute judging room: * A theatrical skit with a storyline? * Scientific documentary / TV news broadcast with anchor desks? * Custom costumes or character props? * A musical intro or creative visual demonstration?

4. Assigning the Innovation Project DRI Roles (Pokémon Theme Codenames! ⚡)¶

To ensure every student has clear ownership without feeling overwhelmed, we use the DRI (Directly Responsible Individual) framework powered by Pokémon Champion Codenames:

[!IMPORTANT]

🧭 The Golden Rule of DRI: "You Don't Do All the Work — You Organize, Collate & Safely Store It!"¶

In FIRST LEGO League, every single team member is expected to contribute ideas, research facts, drawings, cardboard pieces, and presentation lines.

The DRI (Directly Responsible Individual) does not do the job alone. Instead, the DRI is the team's designated custodian & coordinator for that domain: 1. Collate & Gather: Collect teammates' ideas, sketches, research notes, and parts so nothing gets scattered across tables. 2. Track Progress: Keep a quick running checklist of what the team has finished, who has open tasks, and what we need next. 3. Safe Storage & Custody: Make sure physical props, fragile prototypes, binders, receipts, and scripts are packed safely into their designated bins/folders so nothing gets lost or crushed between sessions!

Role #	DRI Title	Pokémon Codename	Signature Move	Custodian Responsibilities (Collate, Track & Store)
1	📦 Physical Presentation Lead	Machamp 💪	Heavy Slam / Carry	Collate & Store Props: Collects teammates' poster ideas and display materials. Tracks needed supplies (velcro, tape, markers). Safe Storage: Safely packs tri-fold boards and cardboard props into the team storage bin so they don't get bent or crushed!
2	🔬 Research Lead	Alakazam 🧠	Calm Mind / Archive	Collate & Store Research: Gathers science facts, habitat articles, and web links found by teammates. Tracks source citations. Safe Storage: Maintains and protects the master Research Binder and project citation sheets so evidence is ready for judges.
3	🛠️ Prototype Lead	Tinkaton 🔨	Forge / Safeguard	Collate & Store Prototypes: Coordinates mechanism ideas being built across tables. Tracks LEGO Technic linkages, mockups, and CAD files. Safe Storage: Safely houses the physical prototype model in its padded storage container so fragile parts don't break between meetings!
4	🤝 Outreach Coordinator	Dragonite 📬	Extreme Speed / Messenger	Collate & Store Feedback: Collects interview questions from all teammates; tracks emails sent to marine biologists and domain experts. Safe Storage: Logs official expert responses (Version 1.0 $\rightarrow$ Feedback $\rightarrow$ Version 2.0) in the project binder. (Crucial for the Rubric "Share" Rule!)
5	🎭 Creative Director	Jigglypuff 🎤	Sing / Spotlight	Collate & Store Script: Gathers dialogue ideas, jokes, and presentation themes from teammates. Tracks speaking times so all 8–9 kids have equal airtime. Safe Storage: Keeps the master 5-minute presentation script binder and laminated speaker cue cards safe.
6	💰 Budget & Materials Accountant	Meowth 🪙	Pay Day / Ledger	Collate & Store Receipts: Collects supply wishlists from teammates before purchases. Tracks overall project expenses against our team budget. Safe Storage: Keeps the expense ledger, receipts envelope, and cost sheets organized in one secure folder.
7	🕵️ Historical Intelligence & Video Scout	Greninja 🥷	Shadow Sneak / Recon	Collate & Store Inspiration: Gathers YouTube links and cool presentation ideas discovered by teammates from past FLL champions. Safe Storage: Maintains the team's "Inspiration Playbook" of video links and presentation notes for quick reference.
8	🦆 Team Rubber Ducky	Psyduck 🦆	Psychic Calm / Empathy	Collate & Store Team Wellness: Actively checks in with teammates to see if anyone is stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated. Listens blamelessly and tracks friction points. Safe Storage: Protects teammate trust—safely bridges feedback to mentors without pointing fingers.
9	⚡ Energy & Time Captain (Co-Lead / 9th Member)	Pikachu ⚡	Volt Tackle / Spark	Collate & Store Match Timing: Tracks the countdown clock during 5-minute timed rehearsals and monitors activity transitions. Safe Storage: Keeps the team stopwatch, timer tablet, and cheer banner packed safely for each session.

🥪 1:45 - 1:55 PM | Bio Break & Energy Recharge (10 min)¶

Mandatory hands-off-bricks time.
Water break, healthy snacks, bathroom, quick stretch to reset physical energy for building.

🤖 1:55 - 2:50 PM | Main Activity Block: Robot Building & Training Camp (55 min)¶

Since robot training was abbreviated in Session 2, we execute our full split-station rotation driven by the Peer Ambassador Handoff (see Coach's Notes).

Divide the 9 students into two active stations:

flowchart TD
    subgraph S1["1️⃣ Block 1: Master Station Domains (30 min • 1:55 - 2:25 PM)"]
        direction LR
        A1["🟢 Station A: Advanced Base Builders<br/>(4–5 Kids build modular competition chassis)"]
        B1["🔵 Station B: Motor and Code Camp<br/>(4–5 Kids program 90° arm sweep)"]
    end

    subgraph S2["2️⃣ Phase 1: Station Swap + Peer Teaching (10 min • 2:25 - 2:35 PM)"]
        direction LR
        SwapA["Group A moves to Station B<br/>👨‍🏫 <i>Station B Ambassadors teach motor calibration!</i>"]
        SwapB["Group B moves to Station A<br/>👩‍🏫 <i>Station A Ambassadors teach modular locks!</i>"]
    end

    subgraph S3["3️⃣ Phase 2: Reverse Handoff and Catch-Up (15 min • 2:35 - 2:50 PM)"]
        direction LR
        Rev["Ambassadors return to home tables<br/>🔄 <i>Teammates catch them up on what was built and tested!</i>"]
    end

    S1 ==>|2:25 PM: Pick 1-2 Ambassadors and Swap Stations| S2
    S2 ==>|2:35 PM: Ambassadors Rejoin Home Stations| S3

    style S1 fill:#f8fafc,stroke:#64748b,stroke-width:1.5px;
    style S2 fill:#e0f2fe,stroke:#0284c7,stroke-width:2px;
    style S3 fill:#ecfdf5,stroke:#10b981,stroke-width:2px;
    style A1 fill:#dcfce7,stroke:#16a34a,stroke-width:1.5px;
    style B1 fill:#dbeafe,stroke:#2563eb,stroke-width:1.5px;
    style SwapA fill:#eff6ff,stroke:#0284c7,stroke-width:1.5px;
    style SwapB fill:#f0fdf4,stroke:#16a34a,stroke-width:1.5px;
    style Rev fill:#fef3c7,stroke:#d97706,stroke-width:1.5px;

🟢 Station A: Advanced Modular Robot Base Assembly (4–5 Kids)¶

Online Guide: LEGO Education Advanced Driving Base Lesson
Objective: Assemble the rigid competition drive chassis with integrated wheel encoders and square bumper frames.
Key Engineering Concepts:
Modularity: Why build attachments that snap on/off with pins rather than rebuilding the whole robot every run?
Structural Rigidity: Cross-bracing Technic beams so the chassis doesn't flex when pushing heavy mission models.
Following Technical Diagrams: Reading step-by-step CAD instructions and double-checking pin colors.
Challenge: Complete the base chassis assembly, ensure drive wheels spin with zero friction drag, and test the front pin-locking slot.

🔵 Station B: Motor & Attachment Mechanism Training (4–5 Kids)¶

Online Guide: SPIKE Prime Getting Started & Hardware Exploration
Objective: Explore the SPIKE App programming interface, test motor precision, and understand mechanical gear linkages.
Key Engineering Concepts:
Motor Degrees vs. Rotations vs. Seconds: Why time-based drive code fails as batteries drain, while degree-based rotation stays consistent.
Gears & Mechanical Advantage: How a 24-tooth gear driving an 8-tooth gear speeds up an arm, while the reverse increases lifting torque.
Sensor & Port Mapping: Knowing which port connects to which motor.
Testing Challenge: Program an angular motor to rotate an attachment arm exactly 90 degrees, hold firmly for 1 second, and return smoothly to zero degrees.

🎓 2:25 - 2:50 PM | Peer Ambassador Swap & Reverse Handoff¶

At 2:25 PM: Station A and Station B each nominate 1–2 Peer Ambassadors.
Phase 1 Swap (10 min - 2:25 to 2:35 PM): Groups swap tables, but ambassadors stay behind to train incoming peers (zero mentor lecturing!).
Driving ambassadors teach incoming Group A how to run the motor degree code.
Chassis ambassadors show incoming Group B how the modular chassis pins click together.
Phase 2 Reverse Swap (15 min - 2:35 to 2:50 PM): Ambassadors rejoin their home teams. Teammates must now spend 5 minutes catching their returning ambassadors up on what they accomplished!

💬 2:50 - 3:00 PM | Station Debrief & Hardware Reflection (10 min)¶

Bring both stations together around the competition mat.
Quick Round-Robin:
What worked smoothly with the modular base?
What surprised us about how motors behave when given degree inputs?
What mechanical attachments do we want to start prototyping next session?

🥊 3:00 - 3:30 PM | The CRM Stress Gauntlet (30 min)¶

💡 Coaching Note: We do not need to run all 4 challenges in every session! Running 2 focused challenges per session keeps the exercises crisp, prevents sensory fatigue, and keeps students on their toes. Today, we run Challenge 1 and Challenge 2 (with Challenge 3 & 4 reserved for future rotations).

The Golden CRM Rule: "Aviate, Navigate, Communicate"¶

Before starting, gather pairs and review the 3-word pilot axiom (see CRM Guide): 1. 🛩️ Aviate: Control the physical piece first—hold it steady! 2. 🧭 Navigate: Check the clock and know what piece is missing or needed next. 3. 📢 Communicate: Speak loud and clear so your partner acts as one brain!

The Universal Ground Rule: The One-Handed Duo Constraint¶

Each student puts their non-dominant hand firmly in their pocket (or behind their back).
They may only use ONE hand!
Why: One child cannot take over. One student must act as the Anchor (holding the beam steady) while the other acts as the Builder (inserting pins and sliding gears).

flowchart LR
    C1["⚡ Challenge 1<br/>The Fast Clock<br/>(60s Time Pressure)"] --> C2["🧩 Challenge 2<br/>The Missing Pin<br/>(Assertive Callouts)"]
    C2 -.->|Future Rotation| C3["🔄 Challenge 3<br/>The Tactical Swap<br/>(Partner Rotation)"]
    C3 -.->|Future Rotation| C4["🔦 Challenge 4<br/>Lights Out / Sound<br/>(Sensory Shock)"]

    style C1 fill:#e1f5fe,stroke:#0284c7,stroke-width:2px;
    style C2 fill:#fff9c4,stroke:#fbc02d,stroke-width:2px;
    style C3 fill:#f1f5f9,stroke:#94a3b8,stroke-dasharray: 5 5;
    style C4 fill:#f1f5f9,stroke:#94a3b8,stroke-dasharray: 5 5;

⚡ Challenge 1: The Fast Clock (60 Seconds)¶

The Scenario: You have exactly 60 seconds on the big screen timer to assemble the complete pivoting Technic lever arm.
What Mentors Will Observe: Kids rushing, dropping pins, fumbling with one hand, getting quiet, or frantically yelling "Hurry up!"
The Rules:
Timer starts with an official match buzzer: "3, 2, 1, LEGO!"
Build until the horn sounds at 0:00.
The 2-Minute Debrief:
"Raise your hand if your heart beat faster when you heard the countdown!"
"Did rushing make you faster or did it make pins slip out of your fingers?"
Coach Takeaway: In FLL, smooth is fast. When you rush silently, you drop parts. Next time, tell your partner: "Hold beam grey flat!" then slide the pin calmly.

🧩 Challenge 2: The Missing Pin (Unforeseen Obstacle)¶

The Secret Setup: Before starting, the mentor quietly removes one black connector pin from every team's tray without telling them!
The Scenario: 60-second timer starts. Kids attempt to finish the arm, but quickly realize: the final beam cannot be secured because a pin is missing!
What Usually Happens: Kids freeze, search through the carpet, blame their partner ("Did you drop it?!"), or stand paralyzed.
The Expected CRM Behavior:
Aviate: Finish what can be assembled.
Navigate: Realize a required piece is physically absent.
Communicate: Raise a hand, look at the mentor/referee, and assertively call: "Supply! We are missing one black friction pin!"
Mentor immediately tosses them the missing pin.
The 2-Minute Debrief:
"Was it your fault the pin was missing?" (No!).
"Did blaming your partner help?" (No!).
Coach Takeaway: At tournaments, models jam and parts break through no fault of your own. Don't waste 20 seconds freezing. Aviate, Navigate, Communicate! Speak up assertively!

(Challenges 3 & 4: Tactical Mid-Build Swap and Lights-Out Sensory Shock are held in reserve for upcoming sessions!)

🧹 3:30 - 3:45 PM | Clean-Up Protocol Sprint (15 min)¶

Stop immediately at 3:30 PM.
Assign clean-up roles:
🧹 Floor Sweepers: Check for Technic pins and axles under the mat and tables.
📦 Kit Keepers: Sort loose beams and return Challenge Kits to their bins.
🔌 Charging Crew: Plug in SPIKE Prime Hubs and tablets to 100% charging ports.
Reward bonus tokens for a clean room with zero pieces left on the floor!

🌟 3:45 - 4:00 PM | Circle Up, Rubber Ducky Check-In & Rewards (15 min)¶

Gather in the closing circle.
Team Rubber Ducky Debrief: Have our newly appointed Rubber Ducky share any observations or constructive feedback heard during the day.
Growth Reflection Question: Every student shares one sentence:
"What was one moment today where you felt proud of how you communicated with your teammate?"
Celebrate Milestones:
Officially congratulate the team on their Official Team Name and 8 DRI Roles!
Rewards: Distribute Pokémon cards / tokens for outstanding CRM communication, peer teaching, and Plus'ing!

🎯 Coach's Evaluation & Success Criteria¶

By 4:00 PM, Session 3 is a complete success if: