We have moved our blog to W.A.F.F.L.E.S. Blog and Website
It looks like we are registered for the Climate Connection and ready to start the upcoming season. We’ll be team 24. This year we once again will have 7 team members. For the first time this year we will be meeting year round. Our current plan is to meet on Thursday afternoons and use the time to mentor newer team members and have some fun. We have decided to use the "No Limit" 2004 challenge as a means to gain some experience. Today the team vacuumed our field table for the new-to-us No Limit field mat and started assembling the field set.
We are really excited about the Climate Connection season and hope that all the FLL teams across the globe enjoy the topic and have fun learning.
The W.A.F.F.L.E.S.
My family and I arrived home last night from Atlanta. There is so much I want to share with our supporters, first off……Thank You. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for your prayer support, cheering us on, supporting us financially and for taking such a strong interest in what we are trying to accomplish.
I have often heard about what an incredible opportunity it is to attend the World Festival, but let me tell you it is so much more!! As a Core Values team we went to the festival with a really good understanding of what FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is all about, but we left the festival with an even greater understanding. I think I can speak for the team and the parents when I say this opportunity changed us all for the better.
Throughout the Power Puzzle season I saw my team rise to deal with many, many challenges. I saw them grow in leaps and bounds, stretch themselves and then grow some more, with the biggest growth taking place since January. With FIRST the learning never ends. You would think that after spending so many months together working on the challenge that the learning curve would plateau, but not so. These kids never cease to amaze me. At the World Festival I saw things come even more together. The results may not have been apparent to those around us in terms of high scores and trophies, but I saw things that so beautifully illustrate what this whole adventure has been about. I saw excellent team work with quick thinking and improvisation on the playing field. I saw hugs of appreciation and respect between the two team members everyone would voted as “least likely to hug”. I saw the power of determination rise up. There were supporting pats on the back and words of encouragement, even to me! I saw a group of young people that are able to successfully balance multiple tasks while keeping stress to a minimum and enjoying themselves. I witnessed tears of joy with a job well done, and more tears at the closing of the festival because it was over. It was a defining experience.
I feel honoured to be a part of this organization because of what it strives to teach the kids, critical thinking, teamwork, time management and values. I have learned many valuable lessons from this group and enjoyed sharing what wisdom and experience I have gained in return. At the festival we had the privilege of hearing a number of extraordinary people reiterate why they value FIRST. For me personally, FIRST founder, Dean Kamen’s speech highlighted the I(Inspiration) in FIRST. What an incredible man!
The kids had great fun cheering on the other Canadian teams and developed stronger ties with two of the Ontario FRC teams (ages 15+). We were so thrilled for the Simbotics hard earned victory and the recognition they have been receiving from the media. We also formed friendships with many of the other FLL teams from around the globe (ages 9-14). What a multicultural experience!
The event itself was run exceptionally well, particularly when considering the impact the tornado had on the area just a few short weeks before. The staff and volunteers were exceptional! These people obviously care deeply for what FIRST represents and what the kids are doing.
The Saturday night finale was the cherry on the top of this whole season. I was in awe of how much respect the teams were shown. No expense was spared in acknowledging the effort these teams have put forth. The entertainment, the games, the dinner, and the exceptional fireworks said it all. These kids are the future and it is a future filled with potential.
Thank you for being part of our special journey.
Most sincerely,
Coach C. & the W.A.F.F.L.E.S.
We are back from our 18 hour drive to Georgia and we are happy to be out of the car! We just wanted to thank our coach for all her hard work and all the hours she put in during this FLL season. We know it took alot of time and dedication to get us to this point. Thanks Coach! This whole season was an amazing experience and the World Festival was AWESOME!
The W.A.F.F.L.E.S.
We went to see the big robots compete today. We cheered on our friends from Ontario, "Where is Waldo" and the "Simbotics". We listened to some wonderful speakers and were encouraged by them. We yelled and screamed and waved our Canadian Flags when the Simbotics won the best robotic performance award. Then we walked in the sea of 20,000 people from the Georgia Dome to the Olympic Park where we had a buffet dinner and were entertained by a really cool band that used brooms and trash cans to make music. We were also entertained by fire dancers, skits, T-shirt cannons, a carnival that was brought in for us and a huge fireworks display!!!! It was the greatest night! We talked with other teams and judges and had a lot of fun. After it was over we walked back to the hotel and are ready to plop into bed – exausted. We are sad to see it all end. We loved the World Festival and we are heading home tired but inspired.
Jaguar
Coach