Interacting with FIRST LEGO League Teams FIRST LEGO

Interacting with FIRST LEGO League Teams FIRST LEGO League Judge Training Part 3 What is FIRST LEGO League? Preparing to Judge Teams Awards The Decision Process 1

Objective After completing this part of the training… You will be able to identify best practices when interacting with youth on FIRST LEGO League teams. FIRST® LEGO ® League Judge Training Part 3: Interacting with Teams 2

What do Youth Gain from Judging? • 5 C’s of Positive Youth Development – Competence – Confidence – Connection – Character – Caring Lerner, R. M. , Lerner, J. V. , Almerigi, J. , Theokas, C. , Phelps, E. , Gestsdottir, S. , et al. (2005). Positive youth development, participation in community youth development programs, and community contributions of fifth grade adolescents: Findings from the first wave of the 4 -H study of positive youth development. Journal of Early Adolescence, 25, 17– 71. FIRST® LEGO ® League Judge Training Part 3: Interacting with Teams 3

What do Youth Gain from Judging? • Presentation skills • Culminating experience • Importance of development and reasoning processes FIRST® LEGO ® League Judge Training Part 3: Interacting with Teams 4

Judging Youth • Smile • Welcome the team to the judging session • Be polite and respectful • Children may be nervous • Make sure teams feel positive about their performance FIRST® LEGO ® League Judge Training Part 3: Interacting with Teams 5

Engage Team Members Questions allow students to demonstrate their contributions to the team. Ask questions to individual students whenever possible. FIRST® LEGO ® League Judge Training Part 3: Interacting with Teams 6

Ask Simple Leading Questions “What do you think would have happened if… ? ” “What was the hardest part of… ? ” “Why do you think your design is the best approach? ” “The scientist is not a person who gives the right answers, he's one who asks the right questions. ” Claude Lévi-Strauss FIRST® LEGO ® League Judge Training Part 3: Interacting with Teams 7

Listening to Answers If you do not understand what was said, re-word the question or ask follow-up questions: “Please explain what you meant. ” FIRST® LEGO ® League Judge Training Part 3: Interacting with Teams 8

Listening to Answers When children are overly enthusiastic, and nonverbal cues go unnoticed: • Thank the overly talkative child for their contribution • Kindly, yet firmly, let them know you want to hear from the other members of the team now FIRST® LEGO ® League Judge Training Part 3: Interacting with Teams 9

Understanding Differences All children are unique and special… • Children on FIRST LEGO League teams have a wide variety of strengths, challenges, social skills and learning abilities “Praise the young and they will flourish. ” Irish Proverb FIRST® LEGO ® League Judge Training Part 3: Interacting with Teams 10

Understanding Differences Some youth may… • Have difficulty generalizing information • Blurt out inappropriate comment • Distance themselves physically from team • Have specific special needs • Have an intense interest in one area only • Refuse to participate FIRST® LEGO ® League Judge Training Part 3: Interacting with Teams 11

Understanding Differences • Some differences may be misunderstood – Limited social skills ≠ limited knowledge – Longer response time ≠ limited knowledge – Eye contact • Some cultures expect eye contact • Some cultures find it disrespectful 12

Understanding Differences Some children are excellent at memorizing. • Teams often practice until it’s perfect. • Ask questions to find out their true level of understanding. FIRST® LEGO ® League Judge Training Part 3: Interacting with Teams 13

A Common Difference Autism Awareness Autism is a spectrum of disorders that are characterized by challenges related to: • Communication • Social interaction • Restrictive or repetitive behaviors and interests Did you know…? Autism affects 1 in 68 children in the U. S. Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism. Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the U. S. From Autism Speaks (2013). Leading the Way: Autism-Friendly Youth Organization Guide. http: //www. autismspeaks. org/sites/default/files/autism_friendly_youth_organizations. pdf FIRST® LEGO ® League Judge Training Part 3: Interacting with Teams 14

A Common Difference Autism Awareness Tips for Communicating with People with Autism • • Use direct, concrete phrases. Instructions should contain no more than two steps. Allow extra time for the person to respond. Be alert to the possibility of outbursts or unexplained behavior. From Autism Speaks (2013). Leading the Way: Autism-Friendly Youth Organization Guide. http: //www. autismspeaks. org/sites/default/files/autism_friendly_youth_organizations. pdf FIRST® LEGO ® League Judge Training Part 3: Interacting with Teams 15

Summary • Be positive, polite, respectful, and welcoming. • Ask questions, listen, and rephrase. • Be aware of differences, engage all children, and make accommodations. • Adjust your expectations. • Have fun! FIRST® LEGO ® League Judge Training Part 3: Interacting with Teams 16

• Hands on - again FIRST® LEGO ® League Judge Training Part 3: Interacting with Teams 17

FIRST LEGO League Volunteers ROCK! What is FIRST LEGO League? Preparing to Judge Teams Awards The Decision Process FIRST® LEGO ® League Judge Training Part 3: Interacting with Teams 18