https://www.frogsrobotics.org

Note to FLL Teams:
You can use these directions to install the EV3 education app on your Kindle, identical to the iOS app, but much less functional than the PC or Mac program. I believe using the app running on a Kindle to program the EV3 to be FLL legal (so long as you turn the Bluetooth off before competing), but you won’t have access to MyBlocks, or data wires, which is an absolute deal-breaker for advanced programmers. The EV3 app is fine for outreach or for first year teams who are novice programmers, but you’ll eventually want a computer.
Note to FLL Jr teams:


The WeDo app has the same functionality on Kindles as on iOS or a computer. There’s no reason to pay more.
How to get really cheap Kindle Fires:


Shop for returned Kindle Fires with “Special Offers” sold by Amazon Warehouse. These are devices that were returned to Amazon, and regardless of what it says about condition, they’re often pristine, aside from not having the original packaging. I’ve struggled to find a scratch even on “acceptable” condition Kindles. They’ll be factory reset and ready to use. If you ever get one that isn’t, Amazon has a great return policy that covers them. When Fires go on sale (several times a year), the returned ones are even cheaper. I’ve repeatedly managed $37 for HD8s on sale, and $54 is very possible even when they’re not on sale.


I don’t recommend the HD7. The screen is just too small. The HD8 is only marginally more expensive, and that extra inch makes a big difference in usability.


About “Special Offers” – Kindles with advertising on the lock screen (and only on the lock screen – no popups) are $15 cheaper than Kindles without it. However, in my experience (3 out of 3), returned Kindles don’t come with Special Offers turned on. Now at 8 out of 8 Kindles received without Special Offers turned on, be advised that about half of the Kindles I’ve bought have subsequently had Special Offers reappear after an OS update. Still a good deal. If you want Special Offers gone later, you can pay Amazon $15 to remove it.


Here’s where you find returned Kindles (or returned Legos, or anything else that might interest you):





I’m showing the 32GB HD 8 in the picture, but the 16 GBs are perfectly adequate unless you’re going to take and store a LOT of photos.


Be sure you pick one shipped from Amazon Warehouse – those are the returns. Sometimes there are also “used” Kindles listed. I’ve never seen a good deal, and I won’t want to deal with a 3rd party seller on this.


Strangely, the “Certified Refurbished” Kindles are not a good deal – you can often find a new but returned one for cheaper.


Recommended cheap options:


New links for 2019:


https://amzn.to/2CKiI9z HD8 new edition 16GB - be sure to scroll down to the purple-circled link (image above) to find the used one, and check all available colors and offer status.


https://amzn.to/2SzIuTd HD10 new edition 32GB (see above!)


Prerequisites:

I prefer to use a separate Amazon and Gmail account for the Kindles I’m going to use with students. You’ll need a Gmail and Amazon account for this process, so go ahead and make one if you don’t have one you’re willing to share it with the kids. Make the new Gmail address first, then use it to make an Amazon address. Be sure to write these passwords down!

Once you’re ready to go:

When you power up the Kindle, you’ll be prompted to register it to your Amazon account. If you haven’t already done step 2, you can always come back to do this later.

Get the Kindle onto your local network. (Use the settings button if not prompted during Kindle set-up.) NOTE: If you can’t get the Kindle onto the network (for example, because you’re me and have to jump hoops at work involving its mac address and network registration) immediately, hit “Add network” when prompted, then hit cancel. Then you’ll get a “not now” option for signing on to the network.


Go to Settings > Security > Allow apps from unknown sources. (See below.)


Open the Silk browser, and point it at this file (otherwise you’re going to have to type more URLs).


Kindle-only solution (see PC option below also, especially if setting up multiple Kindles at once): Download each of these four files on the kindle, by clicking the links in the Silk browser. Install them in order. See below for how!


Google Account Manager APK


Google Services Framework APK


Google Play Services APK


Google Play Store APKClick the link. Find the “download link marked below. Don’t fall for deceptive ads. It’s OK if it says a newer version is available. You can download this and let it update later.





Click ‘yes’ when asked if you really want to download it.





Click “Open” when the popup tells you it has finished the download, or pull down notifications from the top of the screen and click the file. If for some reason you downloaded out of order, make sure you OPEN the files in order.


Expect a bunch of warning messages. You basically have to let the Google apps own your device, if you want the Google Play store to work. This is normal, so click “INSTALL”





Repeat the steps above for each of the other three files. If everything goes well, you’ll have a screen like this one. For the first three files, after you install you can click “DONE”. For the Play store, click “OPEN”


PC/Mac option (especially good for multiple Kindles). Download the same four files above onto the PC. Connect the Kindle to the PC with the USB cable it came with. Get the Kindle to show up as a folder on the PC. (I clicked “tell Windows what to do with this device” and told it to open the folders. If it doesn’t work the first time, unplug and plug back in.) On the 2018 Fire, I also needed to pull down the notifications from the top of the Kindle screen and set up USB options to allow file transfer. Drag and drop those four files into the Internal Storage > Download folder. You may want to rename them so that it is easier to figure out which one to install first. Then browse on the Kindle to the “docs” app look in Local storage > Download. Click each file and follow steps 5c-d above.




If you’ve avoided putting the Kindle on the internet this long, now’s the time. Don’t forget that you need to register it, too. (Settings > my account > register)


When the Google Play store launches (and you can find it on the Kindle’s home screen if it didn’t launch at the end of step 5), you’ll need to log in with your Gmail account. Get logged in, answering “NO THANKS” when it asks for payment information. You don’t want the kids buying apps.


*note - I often have to log in twice on first deployment. I’m not sure why that is, but it seems to work fine on the second attempt, so don’t panic, just login again.





Use the ‘search’ button to find the apps you want. The WeDo app is the top link. You can also grab the EV3 education app. Click the app from the list, then click Install on the app-specific screen. Note that both should show “LEGO Education” as the publisher.








Google play will download and then install the app. Don’t be surprised if this is a little slow, since it may also be trying to update the four apks you installed, and it’s a beefy download. You can monitor progress within the Play store. Click the menu button at the top left of the screen, then choose “My apps & games”.





If it seems to hang and you’re definitely still on wireless, try going into the “Google Settings” app (also on the home screen) and confirm that you’re still logged in. Log in if not, then launch the Play store again.

While you’re waiting for the download, make sure Bluetooth is turned on, in Settings > Wireless.

Other apps you might want from the Play store (none required):

Chrome (because turning off advertisements on the starter screen in Silk does not seem to be possible) – but note that any browser access means you’re giving them access to a lot of internet. Choose carefully.

Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, etc <- my go-to solution for pushing lots of files out to lots of Kindles at once.

BOOST app (can also be had from the Amazon app store, but sometimes the Play store has a newer version)

Clean-up and security:

The suggestions below make the environment less cluttered which will reduce confusion for the little kids, and they make how to install games less obvious to the older kids, but you’ll still need to supervise. If you really need 100% control of what the kids can access, none of the suggestions below will be perfect, and you may want something other than a cheap kindle running software it isn’t really supposed to run.


Once you’ve installed everything you want, you probably have a big cluttered mess on the desktop, and most of it isn’t removable. If you touch and hold on an app you don’t want on the homescreen and drag it onto another app you don’t want on the homescreen, you’ll make a folder containing the apps. Drag additional unwanted apps there, too. This doesn’t prevent the kids from finding and running them, but at least it removes the clutter.


You can remove most of the clutter and keep the kids from getting into it by turning on parental controls. Go to Settings (which you might have put in that folder) and scroll down for Parental Controls. Set a password. The following settings made the most sense for my team, but you may have different needs. Turn off abilities you don’t want the kids to have, being sure to click into “Amazon Content and Apps”. Note that blocking “Apps and Games” will prevent you from running the WeDo or EV3 apps, so don’t do that, but you can make a number of unwanted apps disappear here.





You can turn on parental controls on the Google Play store, but unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a way to entirely block the kids from opening the Play store and looking for free E-rated apps.

If you really need the Play store blocked, you might remove the Play store. Unfortunately, doing this removes automatic updates of the apps you installed this way. Do you know a better way? Please tell me! To remove an app, click and hold on it for a couple seconds, then release. An “uninstall” option will appear at the top of the screen. (Reinstalling will be much simpler if you leave the rest of the Google APKs installed.)

Note: Although it looks tempting, you can’t run a child profile in FreeTime with apps from the Play store without additional (clunky-looking IMO) workarounds. I’m linking some discussion and directions below, but be warned that I have /not/ tested these and do not know if they continue to work in 2019:


https://www.reddit.com/r/kindlefire/comments/6iuysn/how_to_add_google_play_apps_to_child_profile/


https://www.howtogeek.com/321474/how-to-get-sideloaded-apps-to-show-up-in-freetime-profiles-on-fire-tablets/

That’s all I’ve got! I hope you’ve found this helpful. Please get in touch if you have any questions or suggestions for this document! Happy LEGO-ing!

Here are some second-year coach (this year with three veterans and four rookies) thoughts/observations/reflections from our tournament. They might be helpful for rookie coaches (since I know many of you have tournaments still coming up). And I'm still processing yesterday.

1. My kids needed to educate the local refs on scoring a couple times. (They use some "over the target" language to park a robot holding mission models where those models need to be at the end of the game.) We practiced this before going, and they got it scored each time, although it had to run up to the head ref once. They also had a great interaction with one of the tournament organizers about a spot where they were concerned their practice round might have been incorrectly scored in their favor. Making sure that your kids know the rules sets them up for this sort of success. We modeled "let's look up what the rules actually say" repeatedly. We also practiced how to ask refs for things - can you verify that space travel is rolling smoothly? Can you straighten the mat? [We also talked about NOT fussing about things that didn't matter. If you aren't doing the mission, don't bug the table setters about it.] All with lots of emphasis on gracious professionalism - at a qualifier, many of the table setters and refs are new to this season's models and rules and all are doing their best.

2. It was clear by the end of the first scored robot game run that one of their missions (that they broke our house-rule to edit three days ago) needed more adjustment. I was able to snag table time for after their second run (it was a /tight/ schedule!), and they successfully tweaked that run. I do NOT like making code changes at the tournament. My goal is to ignore the practice tables and never take my laptop out of the bag all day, but it was the last turn in a standalone mission, so it was a pretty safe change. [One of my rookies wanted to also change a turn in the middle of a complex three-mission run. I pulled out the coach veto on that one.]

2.5 Our house rule that code needs to stop changing about a week before the tournament lets us practice timed table runs and talk strategy. Should you grab (interrupt) the robot? When? How long does the next mission take? Can you run that mission twice (if the first time fails) or not, based on time on the clock? My kids made several very strategic choices on the fly yesterday: three points of interruption penalty to get the robot launched CORRECTLY to do 60 points is always worth it, but grabbing the robot with ten seconds left when your remaining mission scores its first points at 20 seconds is NOT.

3. Our practice in the week before tournament includes coming into judging rooms - who is carrying what, and where does everyone stand? Who holds the door for the cart? Who will give the team info sheet to the judges? We practice in all sorts of bad spaces (too small! too narrow! huge!), and we repeatedly send kids out of the room, move the judging table to a different part of the room, and call them back in. They knew who needed to be in which order, so there was no jostling through the door. They got really good at walking in and ending up perfect position, but they sure didn't start there. Getting the kids in the right spot compensates for a kid with a softer voice, and getting the posters right close to the judges makes it much likelier that the judges will be able to see what's on the poster.

4. At our qualifier, it was ten minutes in the room and (I think?) 5 or 10 minutes between teams. Judges weren't going to have time to look at anything left behind, and we were told during the coach's meeting not to bother leaving anything. We worked a lot on "if you don't tell it to the judges, they can't score you on it correctly", but we still had a few spots where they didn't cover a rubric sub-area, and I can see it on the rubric sheets we got back. I should have had them rubric score themselves again last week, but we got busy and didn't quite get there. Judges asked about one area they didn't cover well in the planned project presentation (and then gave them a four when it was clear they'd totally hit it and didn't talk about it), but the CV judges left the rubric blank on coopertition, discovery, and integration when the team didn't cover it.

5. In robot design, we enlarged the (heavily commented) code they wanted to talk about and put it on posters, along with lots of pictures of the design process. That worked much better than normal-sized code printouts.

6. We like posters, apparently. We brought six posters to robot design judging (with a planned 3.5 minute presentation that wasn't quite scripted, but had every kid with a specific topic to cover). We brought three posters and a prototype on a wheeled cart into project. We make smaller posters (the smallest size in the store) on rigid foamboard, and we stick each one right in front of the judges as we're talking about it, so that they can actually see it. Much easier to pack and maneuver than one big trifold. I suspect it also prompts the judges for which kid to ask which question (if your kids are holding posters they're ready to discuss).

7. I've found it important to let my kids know what's going on in CV judging, and that they can be asked to do more or less anything. We talked explicitly about how you can build the tallest tower and get horrible scores if one kid shoves everyone out of the way takes over the process, but that you can also get horrible scores by sitting in a circle singing a team chant and ignoring the challenge. [They thought both extremes were funny, but its a tricky line to thread for some very competitive kids.] My oldest (and loudest) kid had a specific script he practiced - ask who has an idea and shut up, check that everyone's ideas have been heard, confirm that the team agrees on what they're doing, etc.

8. Things we did at tournament: Sing the team chant a lot, but NOT near the judging rooms. Insist (roadtrip rules!) that everyone pee when you go past the bathrooms. Go outside and run around (even if for only 15 minutes) if you have a break big enough. If your pit area is too small, find a spot to be basecamp, and park the stuff you're not using (and parents and sibs who aren't watching the robot game) there. Take a break in the pits when you can (bring games, madlibs, playdoh, etc). But don't be committed to having to go back to base between events. It doesn't make sense to rush back to pits for five minutes if you could regroup in a hallway and then walk calmly to the next event. [Having a non-coaching parent who is responsible for knowing where all the rooms are and walking the kids (and coaches) there is a good thing.]

8.5 My kids' goal is always to cheer for other teams, and it's hugely fun if you can get another team to play along, but my kids don't remember to do it if not prompted. (The five minutes in the queuing box before robot game is stressful, go figure!) We do "Let's go _otherteam_ let's go!" at the teams around us in the queue, and often they look flummoxed, figure it out, and start cheering back at us.

9. I confiscate fidget items, buttons, stray hats, and everything else except needed props before sending my kids into an event. There's one kid who needs to empty her pockets before judging. Every single time. I have a purse full of plastic rubber ducks, pins, and candy that I'll need to return to the kids tomorrow. Yesterday, they got past me with a new sticker stuck to the back of a nametag lanyard that turned out to be irresistible for pulling on and off during judging.

10. Help the kids prioritize and adapt. It is very important to show up at robot game with all the robot parts. It is very important to show up at judging with all your presentation materials (and all team members!). If you have to run robot game without your rhino hat or while still dressed in an astronaut suit (because we had no break between project and one robot game run), you'll live.

11. My kids DROPPED the robot yesterday. Luckily, our robot lives in a plastic bin with a latching lid at all times when not in active use, so nothing happened. I was surprised to see so many robots without boxes in the queuing area and in the hallways.

BOOST is the second-newest member of the LEGO robot family.  This is a consumer-targeted set, with more play features than WeDo.  Unlike WeDo 2.0, it can be bought from any number of retailers, and sometimes can be found on sale.  The listed age range is 7-12, but older kids and adults may also enjoy it.

Like WeDo 2.0, BOOST communicates with a dedicated tablet or Windows 10 laptop (with compatible Bluetooth), and does not run independently.  The list of user-confirmed compatible devices is longer than LEGO's official list:  Android (including Kindles), iOS.

BOOST is predominantly System (brick) based, with a few technic parts in the mix.  Unlike WeDo 2.0, the builds are extensive, and will be challenging for a novice LEGO builder.  There's some scaffolding and stop and play built in, which helps somewhat.  There are a lot more parts in the BOOST box than in a WeDo 2.0 box, although WeDo 2.0 gives you a nice plastic bin to sort them in, while BOOST comes in a cardboard box.

While the WeDo 2.0 comes with one motor, the BOOST has three.  Two separately-controllable motors are present in the "move hub", which makes programming a driving base robot very easy, and indeed a driving base is the first introductory build.  There's also another motor which can be connected to one of two available ports.  There is significantly more functionality here than with the WeDo.

Like EV3 and WeDo, BOOST uses a graphical coding language.  The coding blocks available are extensive, although the scripted early builds only unlock a few blocks at a time, so kids aren't overwhelmed.  Like WeDo, you can't play around with the programming palette unless the tablet is paired with the BOOST, which can occasionally be a nuisance.

The BOOST is arguably a younger kid's toy, but there's enough going on with the programming that older kids and adults may also enjoy playing with it.  As more builders get it, we're likely to enjoy more user-released directions, such as these from JK Brickworks.

The LEGO BOOST Idea Book is a good addition to the app, and focuses more teaching how to build fundamental mechanisms rather than large robots to play with.

What'll it cost?  List price is $159, but sales happen.  You can buy from any major etailer (such as Amazon - affiliate link) or direct from Lego Shop@Home.

For younger kids, it's a real toss-up.  WeDo builds are so much simpler that they may be the best option for younger builders with short attention spans.  But if you want a robot cruising around the floor and responding to its environment, you'll need a BOOST.  The BOOST is the lowest entry cost, and much better for building robots that drive, but the builds included are complex, and there's much more focus on playing with the robot, not learning with the robot.  Both are fun and educational, but the emphasis is different.  

I really wish LEGO offered small projects like the ones in the WeDo, but with a move hub like the BOOST.  That I'd buy and recommend in a heartbeat.

For older kids (about 10+), either EV3 or BOOST offers a lot of value.  If you aren't sure if your child will be excited about robotics, starting with a BOOST is a reasonable option, and offers a great deal of play value.

If you have an FLL-age kid and don't have an existing team with openings nearby, starting a team may be your best option.  You can coach FLL, even if you don't have any prior FLL experience.  I think the most important feature of an FLL coach is an enthusiasm for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), but you don't need any specific background in robotics.  You do need a willingness to engage with the materials available, including especially the coach's handbook and challenge document.  FLL requires the kids to do the work, but you'll want to be in a good position to help the kids figure out what they're supposed to do.

The FLL season officially starts on August 1.   In past years, this region's tournaments have all been in November.  That gives you about three months to get your team ready for the tournament.  If at all possible, try to use your pre-season to get ready for FLL, so that you are less pressed once the season starts.  What can you do in pre-season?  (For more ideas, visit this excellent article.)

• Identify a second coach.  Get both coaches through FIRST's Youth Protection screening process.
• Register the team (even if you don't have a team name or all the kids identified) and order the field set-up kit.  You'll want the field set-up kit in hand so that your team can start building it once directions are released.  Shipments can be slow.  Don't wait until August to order.
• Sign up the FIRSTsteps curriculum.
• Acquire an EV3 kit.  If you don't have any experience with EV3, it is a really good idea to work through the first basic rover build, and do some basic programming to make it drive around.  You don't have to become an EV3 expert, but you'll have to teach the kids to use the system, so you need some basic skills. Then take the rover back apart so the kids can build their own.
• Recruit for the team (if possible - some school-based teams may have to wait until school starts).
• Figure out who will build the FLL table, and where it will be stored.  You can practice with the table sitting on the floor without major issues, as long as you have the table walls.  Without walls, some missions won't be doable, so practicing with the mission mat alone is sub-optimal.
• Figure out what you'll use for programming.  A laptop (Windows or Mac - not Chromebook) gives you access to the full programming suite.  The tablet and Chromebook app has substantially fewer features.  A rookie team without programming experience might be able to get by with a tablet/Chromebook for the first year, but sophisticated programming will require a laptop.
• If you can get a team (mostly) assembled, consider scheduling some pre-season activities:
• Pick a team name and create a t-shirt (if desired)
• Learn about the topic: take a field trip, read books, watch a documentary, talk to experts, etc.  See this list of resources (outdated - need a new list for 2020 theme once released) for space-related ideas of all sorts.
• Do team-building exercises
• Have team members build the basic EV3 rover from directions and practice programming it, using the tutorials included with the software.  Can they get it to go exactly three feet?  Drive until it comes to a black line?  Turn 90 degrees?  If you can get your team to build some basic skills over the summer, they'll be much better equipped to do the robot game. 

• A team member and parent contract is a good idea.  Make expectations clear the outset.
• If your team is like most rookie teams, you'll have one robot being shared by up to ten kids.  Your team meeting time will need to be divided between Core Values exercises, work on the Project, work on the robot game, and creating all the presentation materials needed.  It'll be important to be very clear on this with parents and potential team members.  A kid who only wants to do creative building and isn't interested in the project might be better served by joining a local LEGO club.  (Salem and South County libraries both have one.)  Some teams let team members specialize a little bit, but all team members need to make at least some contribution in all areas.
• Team members need to be serious about participating.  If possible, have the option of dismissing a team member (for the day or permanently) who isn't participating on the team in a positive way.

• Some teams fund-raise extensively.  If you're going to do this, pre-season is a great time.  Will a local business sponsor the team?  Can you do a fundraising night at a local restaurant?
• Other teams may estimate the total cost and charge each team member's parents for their share of it.  Be clear on the refund policy, if any, for a child who quits the team mid-season.  As you're making your budget, don't forget office supplies, money for project supplies, and snacks (if desired).

Final thoughts

Resources and Links:

• FIRST's FLL page - source of rules, Challenge Release, and where to register
• VA/DC FLL - state-specific information
• FLL Share and Learn Facebook group
• EV3Lessons Coach's Corner 

Below are some links that those new to FIRST programs and/or robots may find helpful. Suggestions for more? Please let us know!

FRC:

• FIRST
• FIRST Chesapeake FRC

FTC:

• FIRST
• FIRST Chesapeake FTC

FLL:

• FIRST
• VA/DC FLL
• ev3lessons.com
• Into Orbit resources from FLL: Share and Learn

FLL Jr:

• VA/DC FLL
• Aqua Adventure-related resources from the SMS robotics teams