Every team is going to approach the problems presented by COVID-19 differently, because our VA+DC teams are formed in a variety of ways (school, home, community) across a large region!This is a growing list of ways in which teams in our area are handling the robot game.Many of these ideas depend on a team’s situation, so the list is made up of suggestions and is not prescriptive.Let us know what you come up with!If your team can meet in person…– Practice all guidelines from the CDC and state/ local health agencies (practice social distancing, wear a mask, wash hands and materials often)– Purchase 1 extra RePLAY Challenge Setor up to 5 game mats (no mission models) through your team’s FIRST dashboard to allow for more social distancing or different meeting locations–Meet in large or outdoor spaces (garages, gyms, etc) to allow for more social distancing– Work in consistent cohorts to reduce exposure.Groups can meet virtually to catch each other up and plan their next steps.If your team cannot meet in person…– Mission Models:Deliver one “set” of numbered bags to each team member.Have a virtual build party.Coach then collects the models. Learn more -pg2– Mission Strategy: Use the FLL Tutorial Sketch Planner and the (unofficial) Game Scorer to plan the team’s mission strategy.– Robot Design:Have members use Studio 2.0 by BrickLink to create the teams robot in CAD.Designs can be duplicated, which could be helpful with documentation.Find out how to use Studio 2.0– Pseudocode:Have members work on pseudocode for missions using either the RePLAY wireframe grid or the FLL Tutorial Sketch Planner (w/ measurements!)– Remotely Programming: Use “Chrome Remote Desktop” or other platform to have members remotely control the computer connected to the robot. Learn more -pg3– Remote Robot Game Practice: Get tips on how to run a remote robot game practice.Members could email code to whoever has the game table ,then team could work on testing/revising during a virtual meeting.Learn more -pg5– Multiple robots: With many schools and organizations not meeting in person, there may be unused robots/ kits that can be distributed to team members.There are grant opportunities that could allow teams to purchase extra equipment.– Multiple game mats:FIRST is allowing teams to purchase 1 additional challenge set ($75) or up to 5 additional mats ($25) per team.Teams can purchase these items through their FIRST dashboard.
