The Inventioneers Connection

Important News About the Inventioneers Patent Scholarship

2012-01-29T15:25:00.002-05:00

Click the image below to learn more!

Check Out the Inventioneers' Latest Tip for Young Inventors

2012-01-24T10:32:00.003-05:00

If you are an inventor and think you have a cool idea, check out the Inventioneers Patent Scholarship blog for tips to help you navigate the path to protecting your invention. Click here for the latest tip.

You might also be interested in:
Patent Hints from the Inventioneers

Inventioneers Latest Press Coverage

2012-01-05T22:48:00.000-05:00

"Snack Attack" Expo at SNH Montessori Academy covered by website www.londonderrynh.net

Inventioneers Reach Thousands at First Night!

2012-01-02T16:20:00.000-05:00

The Inventioneers' exhibition table was crowded for over five hours during our First Night 2012 adventure in Boston. The Hynes Convention Center was mobbed with over six thousand event-goers and youngsters of all ages were excited to see our FLL robot in action. Check out our slideshow from the event:

Jaiden and Bryeton Evarts represented the Inventioneers along with TJ Evarts who provided technical support while officially wearing his PVC Pirates' hat. The robotics exhibition was sponsored by Boston GreenFest.

Inventioneers Help Nurture Young Engineers at Academy

2011-12-30T15:27:00.001-05:00

Right to left: Inventioneers Bryeton Evarts and Jaiden Evarts (in yellow shirts), and TJ Evarts (black shirt) demonstrate LEGO robots to students at Southern NH Montessori Academy at the "Snack Attack" Jr. FLL Exhibition in December

We were excited to be invited to demonstrate our FIRST LEGO League robot to aspiring young engineers at the "Snack Attack" Jr. FLL Exhibition at Londonderry's Southern NH Montessori Academy (SNHMA). Londonderry's high school robotics team, the PVC Pirates, conducted a 15 week course introducing students to mechanized LEGO machines and the science of nutrition. Students showed off their models and research at the exhibition held on December 21. The Inventioneers Jaiden, Bryeton, and TJ Evarts encouraged the students, ages 6-9, to get involved in FLL and then put our robot through its paces for the students, their parents, SNHMA staff and event judges who included our coach, Lisa Evarts.

Inventioneers Invited to Exhibit at FIRST at First Night, Boston

2011-12-24T18:36:00.000-05:00

Two years ago, we hosted a great exhibit as part of Boston's First Night celebration. We are excited to be invited back by Mr. Steve Cremer, FIRST's Regional Director for MA and NH, who coordinates the robotics demonstrations. We're expecting thousands of First Night celebrators to learn about FIRST programs, many for the very first time. We're proud to be exhibiting along with Londonderry's PVC Pirates FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) team.

Here's a look at the crowds form First Night 2009!

We'll post photos and
share some of our best stories first thing next year! So check back in 2012. Here's a link to our slide show from New Year's Eve 2009: Inventioneers Celebrate New Year's Eve in a FIRST State of Mind

Merry Christmas from the Inventioneers

2011-12-21T18:10:00.001-05:00

Inventioneers on NH Chronicle - Again!

2011-12-16T00:10:00.001-05:00

On Monday, December 12, the Inventioneers' story was featured on ABC affiliate WMUR's NH Chronicle. We are thankful for the chance to help kids learn about inventing and to share our patent experiences.

Also, it is another chance to spread the word about the dangers of distracted driving. Thank you WMUR and NH Chronicle! Here's the link to the NH Chronicle Web page

Check Out the New Post at Inventioneers Patent Scholarship Website:

2011-12-15T07:19:00.001-05:00

Click image above to learn more about patenting your idea!

Inventioneers Launch Patent Website!

2011-12-03T15:26:00.001-05:00

Click image above to check out our website!

Check out our newPatent Scholarship Website! You can access the contest Application Form there, too! Learn more about our scholarship sponsor and last year's winner! Go to www.InventioneersPatentScholarship.blogspot.com.

Inventioneers Catch Up with Friends at NH Tournament

2011-12-03T05:30:00.000-05:00

As we went through the pits sharing our Inventioneers Patent Scholarship flyers at the NH State FLL Tournament today, we were happy to see so many friends among the qualifying teams. We realized that we have been personally involved with about 10 of the teams that were competing at the state level this year. We love the excitement of competition day.
Our hope is that all teams remember that they are not opponents but are allies in a quest for their own best performance. That's what Core Values are all about.

Congratulations to all of the teams that made it to states!

Submit Your NH Patent Scholarship Entry Here:

2011-12-02T14:03:00.001-05:00

Click Image Above to go to Application for NH Teams. Deadline 1/31/12.

Don't Forget to Read Our Tournament Tips

2011-12-01T13:50:00.001-05:00

Click image below to read all the details!

Congratulations to another Champion's Award winner!

2011-12-01T13:30:00.001-05:00

Cheers go out to the Wisdom Seekers of Nashua, NH for their Champion's Award win at Bishop Guertin's qualifying tournament. We have worked with them since they started their team back in August of 2010! We are so happy that we have been able to support them and to share our insider tips! (Of course, we are happy to share our best advice with all FLL teams, just contact us!)

Wisdom Seekers were among the graduates of The Inventioneers Team Training Institute in September 2010

Another Award for Inventioneers Friends

2011-11-27T16:38:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to the Lego Lords of Derry, NH for their Champion's Award win at the Daniel Webster College tournament on November 19th! We've known the Lego Lords since they formed their team in 2008 and have been happy to mentor them along the way. We and our coach met with them most recently at the PVC Pirates FRC team's RoboExpo last month (see photo below)!

Half the Lego Lords with half the Inventioneers!

They're on to the BAE NH State Championship Tournament on December 3rd. Awesome!

Are You Inventive?

2011-11-27T12:36:00.001-05:00

Do you have one? You could be our next big winner!

Stay tuned for more!

What's Going On Here?

2011-11-24T13:15:00.001-05:00

That's Intellectual Property Attorney Vern Maine with us and the winners of the Inventioneers Big Idea Patent Scholarship 2010, the Lego Mind Freaks!

They worked on their medical device invention with Attorney Maine and filed a Provisional Patent Application in February of this year! Go Lego Mind Freaks! Your team could be this year's winner! Stay tuned.

Help Wanted: SMARTwheel™

2011-11-18T15:24:00.001-05:00

Check out our SMARTwheel™ blog to read this New York Times article about the limitations of texting laws. Click on the image below

Congrats to Holy Cow

2011-11-12T20:04:00.004-05:00

Three cheers for Holy Cow from Concord, NH for their 2nd Place Champion's Award from the Bishop Brady FLL qualifying tournament today.

We are especially excited because this is a team we have worked with closely and have mentored. They took the 2nd Place Research Award at the State Tournament last year and we expect great things from them at this year's NH event! Here's a photo of the Inventioneers and Holy Cow at their headquarters just before the state tournament last year!

NY Times Article Includes Inventioneers Nov. 6

2011-11-09T11:29:00.003-05:00

The article highlights the accomplishments of middle to high schoolers - the college experience needs enriching now!

Links: Photo

Friends Around the Globe

2011-11-08T12:15:00.003-05:00

This map gives you an idea of how the Inventioneers are reaching teams from around the world!

(Click map to enlarge image)

More From the PVC Pirates' RoboExpo

2011-10-17T08:39:00.002-04:00

The Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua was host to the first annual RoboExpo which was an exhibition of three FIRST programs - FRC, FTC, and FLL. Kudos to all the teams who demonstrated their robots, passed out FIRST literature to the crowds and recruited new students, mentors, and coaches to these great programs. Here's a photo of (from left to right) Team Unlimited (FTC), Holy Cow (FLL), Lego Lords (FLL), the Inventioneers (FLL), and the PVC Pirates (FRC). (More photos from the day's events coming.)

Inventioneers Applaud PVC Pirates' RoboExpo

2011-10-17T08:29:00.004-04:00

What a great day at the RoboExpo! Thousands of people saw FIRST program robots in action. Thanks to the FLL teams that participated with the Inventioneers - Holy Cow (white shirts), Lego Lords (green shirts), and the Wisdom Seekers (not pictured). We're in safety yellow except TJ (in black) who captain of the team that created this successful event, the PVC Pirates.

2011 FLL Event Schedule

2011-10-15T10:05:00.005-04:00

For those of you who met us at the RoboExpo today, here's the schedule of tournaments happening in NH for 2011. Remember, if you need any help getting started for 2012, email us at TheInventioneers@yahoo.com.

Click here for large print version.

Watch The Inventioneers FLL Project Video !

2011-10-13T16:16:00.005-04:00

Over the last eight years, we've mentored hundreds of teams teams in person, through email, by phone and Skype. The one frustration shared by new teams has been uncertainty about how to approach the Project. How do we get started? What does a Project Presentation look like? And more. We know having guidance in those areas would have helped us in our early years.

Last summer, we began a collaboration with FIRST to create a fun FLL Project video aimed at new teams - coaches and kids. We wanted it to be funny and engaging, informational and encouraging. After countless outlines, storyboards, revisions, site surveys, finding talent, shooting and finally the hours and hours of editing, we finished the video in March 2011. It went out t0 10,000 registered teams.

We hope it gives new teams a jumping off (or jumping in) point to get rolling on the Project. It has always been one of our favorite parts of FLL (along with the robot, teamwork and Gracious Professionalism!).

Many teams have emailed us asking if the video was available online so that team members could access it from their respective homes. FIRST has put it on YouTube for just that purpose.

Inventioneers to Appear at First Ever RoboExpo

2011-10-09T21:20:00.008-04:00

Come down to the Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua on Saturday October 15th to see FIRST teams and their robots in head to head competition as well as robot demonstrations. The event is the brainchild of the PVC Pirates FRC team from Londonderry and will include FLL, FTC, and FRC teams from around New England - including us! Come by between 11 am and 5 pm to get in on the action!

Inventioneers Make USA Today - again!

2011-10-07T20:14:00.001-04:00

USA Today article from October 1, 2011. The SMARTwheel is still going strong! Also, a link to a former USA Today article with an Inventioneers' interview. Click here for link.

STOW-or-GO Table Tips

2011-10-06T08:27:00.001-04:00

So many teams are using our STOW-or-GO Table design that we are compiling all our best tips in a newsletter. We'll be sending it out to everyone in our email list. If you would like a copy, email us with a request at TheInventioneers@yahoo.com.

Check out the ABCs of FLL in DC

2011-10-01T20:59:00.000-04:00

Inventioneers Pass ABCs of FLL Torch in DC

2011-09-21T14:26:00.003-04:00

We are excited to announce that the ABCs of FLL workshop we conducted in DC last September is going full force again this year. We are happy to pass the torch to Denise Lewis of DC FIRST - she has almost 90 people signed up for the ABCs of FLL and will be using the materials we developed for her last year. Go DC!!

More Summer Camp Press

2011-08-23T15:31:00.004-04:00

Our Inventor's Camp, in partnership with SNHMA's Camp DaVinci program, is highlighted on LondonderryNH.net!

Link:
http://www.londonderrynh.net/2011/08/inventioneers-work-with-local-youth-academy/40990

Inventioneers Team Up with Montessori Academy

2011-07-19T07:27:00.009-04:00

Londonderry, NH - The Inventioneers, Londonderry’s own FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Champions, have joined forces this summer with the Southern NH Montessori Academy (SNHMA). The global award winning team is teaching three summer camp sessions all with a LEGO theme as part of SNHMA’s Camp DaVinci program. In June, the week-long camp was called Intro to LEGO Robotics and focused on robot building techniques and mechanics. Week two, held earlier this month, honed in on LEGO simple machines and vehicles. Week three, Young Inventors, to be held August 8-12 , will teach campers how to bring their own inventions from ideas on paper to working LEGO models.
The SNHMA is offering a wide range of summer programs and joined with the Inventioneers for the camps after team members led a successful Jr. FLL season at the Academy last fall. Tristan Evarts, 15 is the program lead and is joined by Jaiden Evarts, 13 and Paige Balcom, 17, as counselors. Nearly 70 students are participating in the program.

For more information about the Inventioneers, go to http://www.theinventioneers.blogspot.com/ or email them at TheInventioneers@yahoo.com, To learn more about SNHMA go to http://www.snhma.org/ .

Inventor's Digest Features the Inventioneers

2011-06-27T08:05:00.008-04:00

Take a look at our two-page spread in this month's issue of Inventor's Digest!

Click here for pdf version.

Inventioneers Featured in Inventor's Digest !!!

2011-06-01T10:34:00.007-04:00

Link coming soon!
The SMARTwheel™ and the Inventioneers are in the June edition of Inventor's Digest! More details to come.

TJ Interviewed by WMUR for FIRST Robotics Competition

2011-05-03T07:10:00.000-04:00

Click Image Above for Story and Video on WMUR TV

In CNBC.com - Again!

2011-04-24T07:42:00.000-04:00

The Inventioneers SMARTwheel made it to CNBC.com for the second time this month! Read about us here:

Click here for the article in its entirety.

Inventioneers Meet Top Distracted Driving Researcher

2011-04-22T15:30:00.000-04:00

We met with University of Utah researcher, Dr. David Strayer, at the NH Traffic Safety Conference. He tried out our SMARTwheel and liked the concept. We look forward to working with him and we may have a trip to Utah in our future!

Inventioneers World Festival Tips

2011-04-19T12:52:00.008-04:00

Inventioneers World Festival Tip #3
Shine on Your Own

Keep your coaches at arms length. It’s more important than ever to show the judges that your team did the work, not the coaches. If you need to make some hardware or software adjustments between rounds, make those changes as a team. Consult your coach for general guidance but by now you should be confident enough for your team to make the changes.

Even though "We do the work. . ." is a top FLL Core Value, we have seen many coaches overly involved at the World Festival level. It is disappointing for teams like ours and yours to see teams where the philosophy is win at all costs - even if the kids have to stand back and let their coach call the shots. The judges see that happening in between judging sessions and remember those teams during scoring.

When we were at the U.S. Open in 2009, having the coaches be hands-off was an actual rule. Coaches were not allowed to be near or touch the team's computer/robot in the pit area or during the competition day. We actually thought that worked out well.

To sum up- celebrate your team's accomplishments even if things don't go quite as you had hoped. Ask your coach to be your biggest cheerleader and you'll get the full World Festival experience - you'll "have fun", which is the most important FLL Core Value!

CNBC.com Article Makes International Websites

2011-04-14T08:45:00.000-04:00

SMARTwheel Article Makes Yahoo Front Page

2011-04-12T17:31:00.010-04:00

We've all seen Yahoo's daily slideshow of interesting news articles on their home page. How surprised were we to see the Inventions by Kids article pop up! We're amazed! Click image below for story.

Inventioneers Make National News on CNBC.com

2011-04-12T08:50:00.013-04:00

We're always excited about national coverage of our SMARTwheel! Our invention was chosen for a national article about "Inventions by Kids" and is at the top of the list! The latest news on our patent journey is that we filed for our Utility Patent on the SMARTwheel in December 2010 and are hoping to be awarded the final patent in the next couple of years! Click the image to read the whole story!

CNBC.com Article All Over the Web

2011-04-12T07:02:00.004-04:00

EBuddy Press.com
Inventions Frontier.com
Sales Articles.com
Great2Watch.com
K Cube.com
Articles Right Now.com

"Acclaimed" Inventioneers on RITA Webiste

2011-04-12T06:00:00.000-04:00

Inventioneers Top Tips for the World Festival

2011-04-11T10:33:00.001-04:00

Inventioneers World Festival Top Tip #2

Get Up Close and Personal

Even though you should think three times before incorporation loud shouting, music, singing, etc. into any of your judging presentations, by the same token, make sure your talking parts are loud enough for judges to hear. Typically judging rooms have high ceilings and are separated by curtains or other temporary partitions. It's hard for kids voices to overcome these, combined with the voices coming from neighboring judging sessions.

As we said in Tip #1- get as close as you can to the judges' table. Of course, if you need space to act out any part of your presentation, back up some but for your important points, get close! The judges will appreciate it. It is frustration for them to miss part of your key information because they couldn't hear/understand you. Practice projecting your voices. Put your mock judges across the room and then try to speak loud enough for them to hear you. Put on some background noise in your practice room and work on speaking over that noise. We often set our radio between stations and turn up the static. Then we rehearse speaking as loudly as we can, as expressively as we can, as convincingly as we can - without shouting!

This is especially hard for soft-spoken team members. They definitely have to go outside their comfort zone to achieve the right vocal volume but in the end, you'll be sure that the judges get to hear all the cool things about your project/robot/team.

Inventioneers Share Top Tips for the FLL World Festival

2011-04-10T15:58:00.012-04:00

We know that there are many teams heading to the FLL World Festival for the first time. We thought this would be a good time to share our top tips for success in this event. We are the first FLL World Champion team to share great ideas for helping teams have a successful World Festival experience. So without further adieu -

World Festival Tip #1

Don't Drown Out the Competition

If your research presentation involves loud effects, singing, chanting, or yelling, try to tone it down. Teams are usually separated by just a curtain during judging. Remember, the team in the adjacent area only has one opportunity to make its presentation, too, and a loud presentation in the next door can make it impossible for judges to hear what teams are saying.

Being drowned out by another team during World Festival judging has happened to us - more than once. Get closer to the judges so you don’t have to be as loud. Try to be considerate, here’s a great place to show your gracious professionalism.

Inventioneers Make a Splash at Lifesaver's Conference

2011-03-30T13:51:00.017-04:00

Two of us, (TJ and Paige), were invited to speak at the prestigious Lifesaver's National Transportation Safety Conference. We flew out to Phoenix AZ and made our presentation on Sunday. It was a great honor to join the top transportation safety experts in the country to present the latest ideas for improving road and driver safety.

With "Engaging the Learning Styles of Youth" as the title of our workshop, we spoke about FIRST and FLL, which got us started fighting distracted driving, our SMARTwheel, including a demonstration of our ninth generation prototype, and our Don't DUIT student education program. Our session was well attended with about 100 in the audience. We incorporated power point slides, video, animation, and audience participation in our workshop, along with a generous dose of humor. People were amazed to learn we have already met the top transportation officials in the country. Workshop attendees spoke with us after our presentation and applauded our strategies to make new drivers the safest drivers on the road. We also rolled out our new Don't DUIT Tag Game, which was a great hit. Check it out at http://www.dont-duit.org/.

Volpe National Transportation System Center Visit

2011-03-25T11:57:00.000-04:00

http://www.volpe.dot.gov/noteworthy/index.html#aivtvc

Smart Planet Promotes the SMARTwheel

2011-03-21T14:03:00.002-04:00

Click Image for Story

Inventioneers LIVE on FOX 25 Boston

2011-03-19T21:03:00.006-04:00

An invention to solve distracted driving: MyFoxBOSTON.com

Great Story on FOX 25!

2011-03-16T23:26:00.013-04:00

Local teens' invention aimed at distracted driving: MyFoxBOSTON.com

Inventioneers on FOX 25 News!

2011-03-16T15:16:00.007-04:00

Watch FOX 25 Boston News tonight at 10:00 p.m. to see the Inventioneers SMARTwheel story! Jon Dudas, President of FIRST is also featured!

Then check us out live from the FOX 25 studio Thursday, March 17 at 8:35 a.m. for more!!

Inventioneers in the News-FOX25 News, That is!

2011-03-12T12:26:00.009-05:00

Hi all,

We had the tremendous honor of being part of a FOX 25 Boston news feature which was taped this past Thursday at FIRST in Manchester. We shared how FIRST and FIRST LEGO League have changed our lives and we outlined our experiences with inventing, patents and our latest patent-pending invention, the SMARTwheel. It was a great education for us and it was FUN!

We'll send out an email blast when we know when the piece will air!

Team Member Nominated for FIRST Dean's List

2011-03-07T13:00:00.004-05:00

Hooray for TJ Evarts, our founding member of the Inventioneers for his nomination for the FIRST Dean's List. His selection was announced at the BAE Systems/Granite State Regional FIRST Robotics Tournament at the Verizon Center in Manchester on Saturday. TJ has devoted thousands of hours to promoting FIRST programs since he got started in FLL and then added FRC last year. He is part of Londonderry's high school robotics team, the PVC Pirates and was nominated by the team mentors for consideration for the FIRST Dean's List Award. The finalists will be announced at the World Championship in St. Louis in April.

For all his work with FLL training, rookie teams, curriculum development and Jr. FLL coaching and more, we say Congratulations!!!

Inventioneers Visit Pentagon

2011-02-08T07:35:00.004-05:00

While we were in DC in January, we took a tour of the Pentagon. There were lots of interesting displays but not much time to take it all in. There was a hushed, respectful memorial room where Flight 77 crashed, honoring those who died. There was a journal where we left a message of sadness and respect. Outside, there was a memorial garden but with freezing temperatures and bitter winds, we didn't go out to see it.

No photos were allowed of the building (the one here is a stock photo) or along the tour route. Our knowledgeable guide gave us the entire tour walking backwards - a feat he accomplished easily and a technique we soon got used to. We were able to take photos only at the official press area.

Inventioneers Make News at MIT

2011-01-27T10:37:00.001-05:00

We were so happy that our mentors at MIT are helping to spread the word about our fight against distracted driving and the progress we've made on our SMARTwheel! Thanks MIT!

Inventioneers Make National News in the New York Times !!

2011-01-26T15:56:00.006-05:00

Since the United States Secretary of Transportation wrote about our tremendous meeting with him on his blog FAST LANE (click link), we have had lots more interest in our SMARTwheel and Don't DUIT campaign.

We had a great interview with a reporter from the prestigious New York Times. Check out her article at:

(Click Image Above)

Inventioneers Make Headlines!

2011-01-26T15:42:00.006-05:00

After our successful trip to Washington, we have had some great press coverage. NH's Union Leader ran this story today:

(Click image above and scroll down for full story)

Inventioneers Meet With Top White House Technology Official

2011-01-22T10:14:00.007-05:00

During our recent trip to Washington, DC, we had the honor of meeting with Mr. Aneesh Chopra, Federal Chief Technology Officer, to speak with him about our inventions and how we are dedicated to helping other kids follow through on their inventions, too. We first met Mr. Chopra in October at the Inaugural White House Science Fair and he pledged to help us meet U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood (see posts below).

We met with Mr. Chopra at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building right next to the White House to share our latest ideas with him. He loved the improvements we had made to the SMARTwheel and gave us some pointers on our meeting with Secretary LaHood scheduled for that afternoon.
We also shared our Inventioneers Big Idea Patent Scholarship program details with him and he loved the idea. He will partner with us to grow the program and make it even more accessible to kid inventors in every state! We'll keep you posted.

We were impressed with Mr. Chopra's enthusiastic, can-do attitude which is the same attitude we try to have and he gives a whole new meaning to brainstorming - he had endless ideas of how he can help us! We are so happy to have him in our corner!!

The Inventioneers Jump for Joy at the U.S. DOT in DC

2011-01-14T18:39:00.004-05:00

We were elated after our tremendous meeting at the U.S. Department of Transportation (see story below)! We jumped for joy in our shirt sleeves despite the 20 degree weather and freezing winds!

Inventioneers Meeting with U.S. Secretary of Transportation LaHood a Wild Success!

2011-01-14T13:24:00.016-05:00

Our trip to Washington DC this week was unbelievable! The meeting with U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood was an experience of a lifetime. He, along with the Deputy Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Ronald Medford, and Administrator of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, Peter Appel, sat down with us at the U.S. DOT headquarters to talk about distracted driving, our SMARTwheel, and our Don't DUIT campaign (Don't DUIT now stands for Don't Drive Under the Influence of: Texting, Tweeting, Typing, Touchscreens, and Takeout). Their offers of support blew us away! Secretary LaHood even said that when our SMARTwheel is ready, he'll arrange to pilot test it with mass transit drivers!

Check out the link on Secretary LaHood's blog (click the headline or the logo):

Young Inventioneers Tackle Distracted Driving

with Imagination and Engineering

Secretary LaHood's Tweet: http://twitter.com/RayLaHood/status/25942106128252928

The Inventioneers on NH Chronicle - Here's the Link:

2011-01-06T12:37:00.009-05:00

Click the image below to go to WMUR's website where you can watch the Inventioneers' NH Chronicle segment!!

Inventioneers Star on Network TV Show NH Chronicle

2011-01-04T08:25:00.006-05:00

Tune in to WMUR TV's NH Chronicle tonight (January 4th) at 7:30 p.m. on Channel 9 to see a feature story about our team and our work over the last six years! (Click the images to go to NH Chronicle.) If you are not in NH Chronicle's viewing area, check back here - we'll try to get a link to the segment for you!

The Back Story:

Back in November 2010, just before Thanksgiving, there was a flurry of activity at the Inventioneers headquarters (Coach Evarts' house). ABC affiliate TV station WMUR's TV crew was preparing for a shoot. WMUR's news anchor/host, Tiffany Eddy, was there to direct the 3 hour session. We had met Ms. Eddy in May at the NHHTC's Entrepreneur of the Year banquet where we had an exhibit and were recognized by the NHHTC (New Hampshire High Technology Council). We briefly talked about her featuring the team on her magazine show NH Chronicle. We were fortunate enough to meet Ms. Eddy a second time when we won the Spirit of NH award early in November. We talked again about NH Chronicle, and, as they say, the rest is history.

Taping the show was a great experience for us and even though we thought we would be nervous, Ms. Eddy put us at ease and we had fun!! Tune in tonight as we talk about our wonderful FIRST experiences and how FLL has spurred us on to some unique inventions!

Sneak Peek: Inventioneers' World Festival Tournament Tips

2010-12-28T14:18:00.003-05:00

The Inventioneers are developing a newsletter for teams invited to the World Festival for the first time. If your team has qualified and is making its first trip to the FLL World Festival this coming April, send us a newsletter request at TheInventioneers@yahoo.com for insider tips to a fun and successful World Festival experience!

Merry Christmas from the Inventioneers!

2010-12-23T09:25:00.008-05:00

Jr. FLL Event Coordinated by Inventioneers Team Member

2010-12-21T11:06:00.010-05:00

This season, Inventioneers' team member TJ created an innovative Jr. FLL curriculum and used it in coaching three Jr. FLL teams. The program was a great success. TJ was ably assisted by team members Jaiden and Bryeton, and the Jr. FLL Young Engineers program ran for 12 weeks in partnership with the Southern NH Montessori Academy (SNHMA).

For the finale, TJ organized the SNHMA Jr. FIRST LEGO League Exhibition at the school on December 15th. To top the season off, Ms. Dana Chism, Jr. FLL Global Program Manager was the "celebrity" reviewer for the day. Thanks Ms. Chism!

Inventioneers Win Young Adult Mentor Award

2010-12-10T08:00:00.005-05:00

We want to thank all the teams who nominated us for the Young Adult Mentor Award at the NH State FLL tournament last weekend! It was great to receive the award from two presenters who are very special to us - Mr. Skye Sweeney and Ms. Kerry Creeden!

We were completely surprised because we were only thinking about giving an award (see post below) and were not thinking of receiving one! We have devoted collectively almost 2000 hours to helping new teams and promoting FLL in the past year and we only wish we had more time! (click image below for full story.)

We were thrilled to see so many of the teams we have helped at the tournament and want to say congratulations to all with high 5's to some of the teams we mentored this year: Holy Cow for their second place Presentation Award, Pantocraters for their Rookie Award, Sapientia Venatores for their first place Teamwork Award, and the Black Holes for their awesome fourth place ranking on the table!

Inventioneers Award First Annual Patent Scholarship

2010-12-08T12:38:00.008-05:00

What a great time we had at the NH State FLL Championship Tournament! We slept in (we got to the tournament at the crack of 9 a.m.) since we weren't competing, gathered our camera equipment, and once we were at the tournament, we got to work on shooting the footage for our new project video! So many people came up to us to say hi and to say thanks for all the support, mentoring and training we have provided to them over the years.

The Inventioneers Big Idea Patent Scholarship Trophy

Then it was on to the Inventioneers Big Idea Patent Scholarship Award. We took the floor with our partner Attorney Vern Maine to present the award. We had an awesome trophy made which we customized - it was cool (see photo above). Congratulations to the winners - the Lego Mind Freaks from Manchester! They have a cool heart monitor device which they will be able to obtain a provisional patent on with the help of Attorney Maine and his staff. They were ecstatic and we were so happy to make this scholarship possible. Stay tuned for more on patent scholarships for next season! (click image below for the whole story)

The Inventioneers, scholarship sponsor Vern Maine,

and the scholarship winners, the Lego Mind Freaks

Our Column: Dear Inventioneers

2010-12-01T09:43:00.014-05:00

This Week's Topic: Robot Performance Consistency

Dear Inventioneers,

Our robot missions will work 5 times in a row one day and then the next day will not work! It is very frustrating to us. How can we get our robot to perform more consistently?

Compiled from multiple teams from NH, VA and CA.

Dear Teams,

Robot reliability is a challenge every team faces - both veteran and rookie. It's one of the reasons coaches are tempted to provide too much "help" to the team - it can be so frustrating. There is only one secret to reliability. Here it is . . . . . landmarks.

Landmarks you say? Yes, effective use of landmarks is the key to robot reliability. Why? Because every game table is built a little differently (see past post), mat surfaces can vary, can be worn in some places, knots and bumps can be present under the mat or along the walls. The only things that stay the same from playing field to playing field are the landmarks. What are landmarks? Here's a list:

lines and graphics on the mat
field elements
walls (especially the South wall)
any object your robot places on the playing field as a landmark
some retrievables and/or deliverables

Some landmarks can be used without sensors - running along walls for example. Most of the other landmarks can be detected through the use of sensors - touch and light and sometimes ultrasonic. Using a wide bumper for touch sensor activation can give your robot a wider margin of error, following lines whenever possible can put your robot in the same vicinity every time, touching the field elements as a reference can help your robot know where it is. Rotations can be accurate enough to get your robot in a general area but to have it know where it is, sensors are the key.

Most rookie teams start out using dead reckoning and rotations. That's fine and teams can rack up a good number of points that way. But to really have confidence that your robot will perform the same way every time, maximize your use of landmarks.

Many teams have their robot bring things out onto the field to help the robot line itself up with a landmark. This can be a great idea if the available landmarks in that area won't help with your particular mission strategy. Sometimes if you are delivering a game piece in a "box" or other container, that element can help your robot align itself or activate a touch sensor.

Using hardware to align your robot out on the playing field is a technique that can work when there are no graphics on the mat to follow. A hardware extension or runner that can find a landmark and orient your robot can be a simple fix for a navigation challenge.

Hope this helps!

The Inventioneers

Inventioneers Offer New Patent Scholarship for FLL Team

2010-11-28T15:18:00.009-05:00

Great new opportunity for NH FLL teams!

Click the image below to learn more.

Tips for State Tournaments from the Inventioneers

2010-11-23T09:20:00.000-05:00

Many teams have just completed their local qualifying tournaments - congratulations to all! Now it's time to get ready for the state tournament. In most states, the time is short between qualifiers and championship tournaments - and there's Thanksgiving in there, too. It is important to take some time to relax after the high energy of a tournament, but there are a lot of things you can do to improve your team's performance at the next level. Here are some topics we'd like to cover over the next week or so.

1. robot performance consistency
2. teamwork activity tips
3. 3 important things to cover in research judging
4. 3 important things to cover in technical judging

Let us know if you want more information in these areas by voting in our poll in the right hand column!

More Tournament Tips from the Inventioneers

2010-11-18T17:39:00.010-05:00

Hi everyone,

Many teams are down to the wire now with qualifiers on Saturday. Here are some last minute pointers for rookies (and others!):

For teamwork judging - have fun, encourage each other, make sure everyone gets a chance to share their ideas either before you start the activity or while you are completing the task. If the teamwork activity is fun - laugh, be yourselves. Make sure the judges know some of the ways you worked on teamwork over the season. Think of the teamwork challenges your team faced early in the season, then remember how you built your team spirit. Bring your funny hats, smile.

For the competition table - don't bring your funny hat if you are going to be a human player unless it stays on really well and won't get in your way. Take off any extra buttons or beads you've collected. You don't want anything to hang over the table or to interfere with mission models or your robot's run. If you are not running the robot, cheer both teams on - remember, the other team is not your opponent. They are kids just like you, trying their hardest just like you are.

For technical judging - show off your robot with pride - you are the experts on your design. Choose the mission you want to demonstrate before you get to the judging session. Your team members should point out favorite features to the judges, talk about how you improved on your ideas over the season. Smile, even if your robot doesn't have its best run, don't be upset, just focus on the positive.

For research judging - try to memorize your presentation lines - it can be a lot of work but it lets you make eye contact with the judges during the session. If you don't have time to completely memorize, look up at the judges at least once during your part, it will help them feel drawn into your presentation. In the Q and A, tell the judges about the most interesting parts of your project, for example, your experts, why you picked your topic, and if you have them, tell the judges about the next steps you have planned for your solution, etc. Listen carefully to their questions and make sure you answer the question asked. Don't forget to have your resource list in hand to show the judges all the materials, websites, and experts you used to complete your amazing project. Be enthusiastic, passionate and confident - remember, you are the experts on your project

Inventioneers' Latest Newsletter for Rookie Teams Now Available!

2010-11-14T10:04:00.007-05:00

We just sent out our Tournament Newsletter to 200 rookie teams in our database! We've heard back such great feedback that we want to make the insider tournament tips available to rookie teams everywhere! We tell rookie teams that the main difference between rookies and veterans is that veterans know the inside scoop on tournaments.

If you are a rookie team, you are the expert on your research project, your robot, and how you developed your teamwork skills. What you are not an expert at is the tournament experience, especially judging sessions. That's where our newsletter comes in.

We've had such a great season mentoring rookie teams (we've helped about 30 teams so far!). We just heard from one team this morning that they took first place in research yesterday and will be going on to the state tournament! They found the Tournament Newsletter invaluable.

How about you? If you would like a copy of our newsletter, email us at TheInventioneers@yahoo.com and we'll be happy to send you a copy ASAP!

Go FLL!
The Inventioneers

Inventioneers Named Top Youth Volunteers in NH

2010-11-10T10:30:00.012-05:00

The Inventioneers Named Top Youth Volunteer Group in NH

On November 9, 2010, the Inventioneers were awarded the Spirit of NH Award presented by Volunteer NH and the Office of the Governor. During the ceremony, which was hosted by Tiffany Eddy, WMUR news anchor and co-host of NH Chronicle, the Inventioneers were awarded the top prize in the youth category. Check out the story by clicking the image below.

NH LEGO Team, the Inventioneers, Finalists for Spirit of NH Award

2010-11-03T12:38:00.006-04:00

We have been named as finalists for our volunteer efforts to get as many students interested in science and engineering as we can!

Network News Coverage of the Inventioneers at White House Science Fair

2010-10-24T11:29:00.000-04:00

Here is a TV news segment on our visit to the White House to meet President Obama! Click the image below to go to the YNN website!

The Inventioneers Meet With President Obama!

2010-10-20T08:20:00.025-04:00

In an amazing turn of events, the Inventioneers were invited to the first White House Science Fair on Monday, October 18. We weren't sure what to expect but it was a fun adventure. The White House invited the top award winners from international and national science competitions and some were invited to have exhibits. Three FIRST teams were invited and we all did our best to make FIRST proud! We brought our STOW-or-GO table, our robot, our Don't DUIT materials and most importantly, our SMARTwheel! We never dreamed the President of the United States would try out our invention! He spent about 10 minutes with us asking us all about our FIRST LEGO League experiences and how we got our ideas. We joked back and forth and he encouraged us to bring our ideas to the marketplace. Check out some of our press coverage:

The White House Blog (scroll down)

President Obama's Facebook Page (go to the October 18th post)

White House West Wing Week Video

The Washington Post (photo 6)

MSNBC

CNN

San Francisco Chronicle

White House Press Release

The Lipman Capitol Times

Inventioneers Say: Time for a Progress Check!

2010-10-18T17:34:00.001-04:00

To New Teams:

The Body Forward Rubrics are a helpful guide for your team to make sure you are on track in all areas of FLL. Periodically reviewing the rubrics can help your team members gauge your team's progress! Since every team member doesn't have a copy of the Coaches' Handbook (the rubrics are in the back of the book), have members download the rubrics here: Body Forward Rubrics, 2010 and review them for homework. If your team members are young, have their parents go over the rubrics with them. Then, in your team meeting, review everyone's ideas about how the team is progressing according to the rubrics.

Team members should check the project rubrics to make sure they have covered all areas the judges will be evaluating. If you need to change any part of your project or presentation, it's easier to do that now than later!

For technical rubrics, review and make sure your team understands them and is prepared to answer any judging questions based on those rubrics. For teamwork, use the rubrics to make sure your team-building efforts are on track!

Live, Laugh, LEGO!
The Inventioneers

New Column: Dear Inventioneers

2010-10-11T12:41:00.012-04:00

This Week's Topic: Table Talk

Dear Inventioneers,

Do you just lay the mat down on the table or do you adhere it in some way?

Rookie team in MA

Dear "Rookie",

Do not attach your mat to your table. At your tournament, mats will not be adhered to the table in any way. They may have just been rolled out the day of your tournament and may still have ripples in them and the ends may be curled up a little (which can be a surprise to rookie teams). Also, be aware that tournament tables (all tables, in reality) are often slightly different sizes, may not be level, may have knots and bumps under the surface or along sidewalls, etc. This is one of the main things new teams may not be thinking about. The robot can be affected by table surface differences - not foam v. plywood but any table to any other table.

One thing we encourage teams to do is . . .to partner up with another team in their area to offer a "table exchange". Not literally exchanging tables but offering to let another team use their table (with privacy) and vice versa to see how the robots respond under different table conditions. Another thing we recommend is to turn your mat around on your table to see if that might affect your robot's performance, put a book or something small under your table to make it less level or maybe a little wobbly, and if you are using a light sensor, try your robot under different lighting conditions.

The more your team puts the robot to the test, the more reliably it will perform despite the table variations at the tournament. Also, we recommend that the team (or one team member) becomes expert at knowing if the mission models are built properly and then look at them carefully before they run their robot on each tournament table. Twice at World Festivals we have found mission models with problems, which luckily we were able to point out to the referees. Also, make sure your team's mat is up against the south wall and is centered east to west (according to the field mat placement rules). Then when you get to the tournament, the team should inspect the mat placement to make sure it is positioned according to the rules.

We hope this information is helpful to you!

Our best,
The Inventioneers

Inventioneers in Washington, DC

2010-09-29T13:41:00.005-04:00

We had an awesome time in DC where we presented our ABCs of FLL workshop to close to 150 people. One new team even formed that day even though 99% of those attending were already on teams! Thanks so much to DC FIRST and the YMCA National Capital!

We met lots of great rookie teams who we plan to stay in touch with for the Body Forward season. We all had fun - which is one of our team's favorite FLL Core Values!

A Great Visit to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in VA

2010-09-25T23:13:00.006-04:00

We are jumping for joy outside the USPTO after a fun visit with a trademark attorney and the USPTO Director of Public Affairs. We saw the earliest patents and trademarks and did some patent searches of our own. It was all right up our alley since we're working on our utility patent now!

FIRST tweeted about our visit:

http://twitter.com/firstlegoleague/status/26090813736

Inventioneers' STOW-or-GO Home Practice Table Update

2010-09-24T10:53:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone,

Lots of teams are building our STOW-or-GO™ Home Practice Table this season so we thought since we're getting so many requests, we'd post the latest instructions here on our blog. Click the images below to see the documents and make sure you check out all of them before you start building. Have a great season and email us to let us know if you are using the STOW-or-GO™!

The Inventioneers
TheInventioneers@yahoo.com

Inventioneers Win National Competition

2010-09-20T06:55:00.010-04:00

The Inventioneers S.M.A.R.T.wheel™/Don't DUIT™ Campaign combination was named one of the top 50 youth safety programs in the entire nation! The $1,000 prize was presented to our organization by the Allstate Foundation/National Organizations for Youth Safety as part of their 50 Best Awards program. Click the link below to learn more:

Inventioneers Win National Competition

Inventioneers Go To Washington!

2010-09-19T11:26:00.008-04:00

Check out our "Inventioneers On The Road" blog for more about our upcoming trip to share our insider tips with new teams in our nation's capital!

Photos from our Manchester ABCs of FLL, August 19, 2010

hosted by FIRST Place

Check Out Our Newsletter !

2010-09-19T10:35:00.006-04:00

We send out an email to all our contacts with hints, tips and opportunities for new teams. Check it out by clicking on the image below!

More Team Puzzle Fun from the Inventioneers

2010-09-19T10:00:00.003-04:00

Check out this link: Online Puzzle Maker to make your own LEGO part puzzles. Make your list, create and print out the puzzle. When team members complete their puzzle, have them go to a parts bin and match the right parts to their word search list. Have FUN!

Inventioneers' Teamwork Pledge

2010-09-17T20:54:00.008-04:00

Get off to a great start this season by developing some team rules. In the long run, you'll find rules are your friends and can resolve even the stickiest situations! Have the team members come up with the ideas for rules or have them select from a list of possibilities that you come up with. Don't forget to involve the parents in committing to and enforcing the rules. Post the team's selected rules prominently at your meeting location. After all, rules just focus in on the elements necessary for good teamwork.

From your team's list, create a teamwork pledge that all team members sign to reinforce their commitment and accountability to each other. Click below to see an example of a teamwork pledge we customized for our team.

More Press

2010-09-10T12:20:00.001-04:00

We're really getting coverage around the country with our SMARTwheel invention and our Don't DUIT campaign:

The Las Vegas Review Journal

Resource for New Teams

2010-09-09T21:33:00.009-04:00

We've had a spectacular summer and have been busy supporting new teams with training workshops (more on that soon)! One resource we want to make sure everyone has access to is our "Top 25 Tips for Parents" booklet. Click the image below for a free download (don't forget to print it double-sided) of these helpful ideas for how parents can provide valuable support for their child's team!

Another LEGO Word Search

2010-09-09T18:00:00.006-04:00

To all rookie teams,

Here's another activity to have in your toolkit for your rookie season. Need something fun for your next team meeting? Study the names of LEGO parts (use the list on page 2 of the puzzle, which also includes the answer key) and then give your team page one of the
LEGO Parts Word Search - New. Click the image below for a free download. Have FUN!

Your friends,
The Inventioneers

Rookie Year Fun

2010-08-30T15:58:00.006-04:00

It's the beginning of another FLL season! Here's a fun activity to do with your team - a LEGO part word search. You should be learning the names of the LEGO parts so you can all "speak the same language" when talking about design and building your robot. We've created one for you to get started with. You can take it from here!

LEGO Word Search from the Inventioneers

Inventioneers Star on Network TV!

2010-08-22T08:56:00.009-04:00

Watch our Network TV debut on NH's Business

with host Mr. Fred Kocher - just click the image below!

Inventioneers Make the Front Page!

2010-08-18T09:16:00.003-04:00

This has been a great week for the Inventioneers. We taped a segment for NH's Business with Fred Kocher for our ABC TV affiliate station, WMUR TV; we had an extensive feature interview with our regional paper, the Derry News (featured below, just click the image); we are preparing for our ABCs of FLL workshop and have 90 people registered already; we're celebrating our Allstate Foundation/National Organizations for Youth Safety 50 Best Award; and we're preparing for a demonstration at Autodesk's Kids Day. Wow, what a week!

Also, check out the editorial from the Derry News:

Click here for Newspaper Editorial

Sign Up for 2010 Inventioneers Team Training Institute (ITTI)

2010-08-15T13:55:00.001-04:00

We're in the FIRST Newsletter!

2010-08-14T08:51:00.007-04:00

Here's an awesome article from FIRST's official newsletter

(click the link below)!

“The Inventioneers” Win FIRST LEGO League Smart Move

1st Place Champion’s Award

Top 10 Tips for the Off-Season

2010-07-31T12:11:00.001-04:00

Tip #10

Our best tip for the FLL off-season is to have FUN. Find fun things your team can do together whether it is to go bowling, go on a field trip, play outdoor games, or just have a party. You can contact other teams in your area and have get-togethers with them.

These things all build teamwork and great team spirit. You'll be ahead of other new teams if your team has already figured out how to work well together.

If you do these things in your team shirts, someone will be bound to ask what group you're with and the team can get practice speaking about FLL and what your team is working on!

FREE Workshop for Rookie Teams ABCs of FLL

2010-07-28T17:45:00.009-04:00

Hi everyone,

Do you have a child, age 9-14, who is a LEGO fanatic? Then don’t miss this great FREE workshop for newcomers to the exciting world of FIRST LEGO League* (FLL). We're offering our ABCs of FLL workshop again this year on Thursday, August 19th from 6-8:30 p.m. We can't wait to share our insider tips on how to have a great rookie season and how to build a strong team.

The ABC's of FLL and is open to all kids and their parents who are considering participating in FLL for the first time. All areas of the program will be covered from forming/finding teams to all the ins-and-outs of the FLL program. Ideas for preparing for competitions and an overview of what to expect in tournament judging sessions. Robot demonstrations, hands-on activities and a special session for coaches round out the workshop. We had over 100 participants last year and an amazing number of those people we able to find or form new teams last season, some on the very night of the workshop!

If you are interested in this FREE workshop, please email us at TheInventioneers@yahoo.com to reserve a spot. Also, we are trying an online registration form for the ABCs of FLL workshop this year. Click this link: ABCs of FLL Registration Form and fill out all the fields. Let us know if you have any trouble accessing the form. Each registration will have a timestamp so we can stick to the "first-come, first-served" policy. Don't wait, sign up now! (If you have already emailed us, your spot is secured but please fill out the registration form also).

Remember, all students attending the workshop must be accompanied by their parent or guardian. Please print out the Video Release Form (click here) to bring with you to the workshop. Also, all those who register will receive our Inventioneers' Connection e-newsletter. Because of space limitations, we are only able to include those who pre-register by August 12 (or until the workshop is full if that happens before Aug 12). The ABC’s of FLL is being hosted by FIRST Place** at 200 Bedford Street in Manchester.

Here is the link to: our ABCs of FLL brochure which gives the details about the program. (You may need to refresh your screen if the brochure doesn't come up clearly right away.) We are handling all sign-ups by email so you don't need to send in the registration form in the brochure. Press releases will be in the papers this week so the people on email lists will get a jump start on registration! Remember the program is for all parents, students, and potential coaches who haven't previously been part of an FLL team. Feel free to pass this email on to anyone you know who might want to learn more about this great science program for kids.

We look forward to hearing from you! If you have any questions or need more information, don't hesitate to contact us at TheInventioneers@yahoo.com.

Teambuilding with Games

2010-05-23T16:51:00.015-04:00

Hi everyone,

We're sharing another one of our top ten teamwork game resources. We call it the Inventioneers Stress Buster Jar. We use these activities at our meetings when we're starting to get tired, we need to reach consensus as a team and need to get the creativity going, or when we have a little frustration with the robot!

Here's how it works. Find a jar or cup (plastic, preferably). Print out the activity sheets: click here. Cut the strips apart, fold and put in the jar. Then just have team members pull one out as needed! Remember, be true to the FLL Core Values - HAVE FUN!!!

Have your team members come up with their own "Stress Busters" and send them to TheInventioneers@yahoo.com and we'll post them here to share with the FLL community!

Hey - maybe your coaches and parents can use the stress jar at work!

Our Latest Road Trip:

2010-05-17T15:31:00.004-04:00

We had a great time at the 22nd annual NH Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Banquet where we promoted FIRST and FLL, demonstrated our SMARTwheel, and met with NH's top high tech executives and entrepreneurs. Read more about it:

The Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Banquet

Body Forward New Coaches' Training

2010-05-14T12:41:00.007-04:00

Don't miss this great opportunity to get a jump start on the Body Forward Season! We are going to working with BAE Systems FLL Operational Partners Mr. Chris Palie and Ms. Kristen Kelso as they offer free training for rookie coaches in NH and VT. The training session will be held on Saturday, May 22 from 10 am to 2:30 pm at FIRST Place in Manchester, NH.

We'll be featuring our Smart Move robot which proved it could score a perfect 400 in 91 seconds at the World Festival last month! Our coach, Lisa Evarts, will be sharing some great tips for rookie teams including how to avoid the major pitfalls faced by teams in their first season. We'll have handouts and other resources available. You can also sign up for our new team mentoring program to get ongoing help through the FLL season!

This workshop will be the perfect way to get your team working on learning robot design and programming. Also, don't forget that research on the Body Forward project topic (biomedical engineering: Body Forward) can happen over the summer - think field trips!

Please reserve your spot right away by emailing christopher.palie@baesystems.com or kristen.kelso@baesystems.com . Pizza lunch is included!!

See you there!
The Inventioneers
FLL World Champions

Inventioneers Top 10 Tips for the Off-Season

2010-05-07T22:15:00.001-04:00

Tip #9

Take this opportunity to fund raise for the coming season. We’ll be posting our Top Ten Tips for FLL Fundraising in the coming weeks so stay tuned!