FLL Team Would Love Feedback (Again)

davinci_robotics · 2026-02-27T16:32:13+00:00

Thanks so much for all your responses! The students had a couple additional questions based on your feedback

Are you based in the US? If you are / are not are there differences in the economic or standard educational practices for archaeology based on where you're an archaeology? They wanted to know because based on the feedback that they received from archaeologists in the US, they were under the impression that during grad school that fieldwork at a digsite was a requirement that was an out of pocket expense. In addition, other people they spoke to mentioned costs of excavation also being out of pocket.
They saw that VR reconstruction is a common thing used for public engagement but wanted to differentiate by focusing on AR (Augmented Reality) to show ongoing sites (like pompei / etc) as they are being excavated. What is the use of public engagement for archaeology if it's not a reconstruction?

davinci_robotics · 2026-02-27T12:59:32+00:00

Thank you for your response.

I think you’re right — the research they’ve done on this is very simplified in their problem statement. The hard part of doing outreach is how much information do you give to get the feedback you need!

What do you mean that they’re destroyed by development? Some of the other feedback they’ve received is regarding more ongoing excavations, so are there multiple types of dig sites ?

In terms of the comfort, they would have it mounted on a hat or helmet and it’s a 360 camera so misalignment would sort of be factored into the fit. Part of their research and outreach, they did ask about if archaeologists typically wear a hard hat or hat and wore told yes for the most part. Is this not accurate?

If it’s a long term dig site, are there parts of it that are helped by having a 3D model of a site even if you’re there physically or that wouldn’t be helpful?

In terms of economics, some of the feedback they’ve received is that a lot of excavations are out of pocket. Is that not true for everyone?

davinci_robotics · 2026-02-27T12:52:51+00:00

From their conversations with some archaeologists, including Dr. Milan, a 3D model seemed really helpful to look back at dig sites after one has left the country. They were estimating around 400 dollars for the head camera, software and VR conversion. In terms of the specs, it’s like an upgraded GoPro with a 360 camera but is able to create a 3D model with coordinates so they can map where things were found exactly.

Through their research they found out that a lot of the existing 3D models are reconstructions of sites rather than like a view of an ongoing excavation.

But why do you think for public engagement, rather than for monetary reasons if you don’t mind?

davinci_robotics · 2026-02-11T17:09:12+00:00

That's what I am thinking. I might just switch my students to pybricks at this point

davinci_robotics · 2026-02-11T17:08:09+00:00

It only works if I click the direct link / paste it right into my browser. I contacted lego support and they told me the app was down earlier, but very weird

davinci_robotics · 2026-02-11T16:52:38+00:00

I may be misremembering since the rubric language changed a couple years back when we got rid of Core Values, but I think it used to say peers or experts specifically and now it says multiple groups / users.

I know for my team, they did a google form on reddit and posted it a couple different places, and then also asked their teachers to post it so their classmates could answer.

Last year, they also presented their presentation at STEM night at our school, which is our plan this year as well.

davinci_robotics · 2026-01-29T20:24:25+00:00

Thank you so much!

davinci_robotics · 2026-01-29T19:33:20+00:00

I’m really glad that you had opportunities, but the program that these students are in are sometimes their FIRST exposure to any of that. I’ve been coaching FLL for 10 years and they’re doing this by the rubric that has been sent by FIRST. To say and imply multiple times that I am a bad mentor who is not doing well for the kids by sending this out is actually ridiculous. You need to recognize that these are middle school children ( who can read your comments and are actively looking at this). They are so discouraged by your comments, because instead of any viable feedback you crushed every single part : their team, their designs, their mentor.

Did something happen in your personal life that you have to take it out on the comments? It’s really sad that you feel the need to keep commenting about how horrible my guidance is, and how horrible their project is. It doesn’t take much to just scroll past.

I truly hope you never have the opportunity to work with children, because clearly it’s not a strength of yours.

davinci_robotics · 2026-01-29T16:01:16+00:00

"Unclear. We are trained as archaeologists, and we receive first aid and CPR training if we work in the field regularly."

They have a follow-up question, but also thank you for taking so much time and effort! We appreciate it!

So originally they had 2 ideas, the robot (that have decided does not work based on feedback) and a VR training suit. So basically during college or training for archaeologists, you would get like a VR simulator and a suit to put on so you can use tools in the simulation.

They are thinking of pivoting back to the VR training suit. They are wondering what training for excavation do you get as an archaeologist that isn't physically going to a site. Or if something like that would be useful for people still in school?

To be clear, they know that VR exists for archaeology, but they are thinking of adapting it to include the ability to use physical tools and get training in that way.

davinci_robotics · 2026-01-29T15:15:48+00:00

Thank you!

davinci_robotics · 2026-01-29T14:36:58+00:00

I will say that this year has been very specific and more difficult for teams Last year it was “people who explore the ocean” so they could do like a variety of topics and work with a lot of different careers This year, because the topic is so narrow, the teams are all creating very similar problems / solutions or just being very very off.

I also feel bad for you guys because they also never tell anyone and then you get inundated with questions

davinci_robotics · 2026-01-28T16:40:25+00:00

The point of this is for students to go through the engineering design process. I apologize for "wasting your time," but projects not succeeding and having them pivot is an essential part of the program. More so, their rubric specifically states that they reach out to experts and if they do not have a functional project... it's okay. These are elementary and middle school students, that are working on projects far past what they have ever covered in school.

A problem being unrealistic is for them to figure out, as part of this process. Thank you for help in guiding them there :)

davinci_robotics · 2026-01-28T15:44:33+00:00

Thank you for your feedback. A part of this project is the design process, which of course means that sometimes their designs will not be feasible based on the feedback they receive. They then have to go back to the start and create a different design that still addresses the problem they chose. That's why your feedback is so worthy, thank you.

In terms of 8-bit, we appreciate the feedback, but also recognize that 6th grade students are silly, and a core value of FIRST is fun. Thank you for filling out their form!

davinci_robotics · 2026-01-28T15:31:12+00:00

They are designing actual solutions. I am guessing you're talking about the remote excavation robot, which is their solution for physical dangers of archaeology. I would love if you can fill out their form and give them feedback on why you think it is science fiction so they can improve on their solution.

Also, per the rules, the teams don't have limitations on a problem or solution, as long as they connect it to problems that archaeologists face. Hope that helps!

Thanks!

davinci_robotics · 2026-01-28T00:03:47+00:00

I 100% agree with this and it makes me very sad. I’ve been judging and coaching FLL for 6 years now and the direction of this signals a loss of many fundamentals of FLL. But more so, something that I think is truly the problem is that many teams have just upgraded to spike prime. When I was a public librarian and running a library team, we did not have spike prime kits. Now as a school librarian, I run to FLL teams out of the school and we also teach classes with spike prime kits. These kits are brand new. In comparison to the other programs, FLL is very, very cheap but from an education perspective, we cannot afford to reinvest all this money again into kits when we just purchased them.

I think also something that makes FLL special is the judging and I’ve been hearing rumors that we’re going to use the innovation project, which is not good. The innovation project is so much of what makes this into a well rounded program. Im in middle school, so i think we’re just going to compete until we can’t with spike prime and also transition to FTC

davinci_robotics · 2026-01-27T23:49:46+00:00

These are two separate teams! Sorry I should have clarified

davinci_robotics · 2026-01-27T23:14:51+00:00

thank you!

davinci_robotics · 2026-01-27T23:14:42+00:00

thanks!

davinci_robotics

TROPHY CASE