2007 Tournament Information

Tournament Schedule for January 26th

NO QUALIFIERS IN MARYLAND IN 2007: There are no qualifiers for FLL in Maryland for 2007. Only with help from all the teams can we move forward next year. Maryland will need to have 4 qualifying events in 2008 to accommodate all the teams, and two groups have already stepped forward. Please let the committee know if you would like more information about hosting an official qualifying for the 2008 season

LETTER TO ALL MARYLAND FLL COACHES
October 9, 2007
To the Maryland FLL teams (and DC teams for 2007):
There has been tremendous growth of rookie teams this year in Maryland, along with many returning veteran teams. 93 teams have registered for FLL from Maryland and DC.

On October 8, 2007, the Maryland FLL Planning Committee voted to rescind the decision to restrict registration for the Maryland State Tournament to only 2 teams per school/organization. As a result, registration will be open to all 93 teams using the following criteria:

  1. Registration will open on Monday, November 5, 2007, time TBA. Registration will take place on the UMBC-FLL website [under development.]
  2. 64 slots (the List) will be available for Maryland State Championship. Teams will be accepted first come. Teams registering in slots 65-93 will be put on a Wait-list. Teams will be informed that they are on the Wait-list, but their position on the Wait-list will not be released.
  3. The $50 registration fee for the Maryland State Tournament will be due no later than Monday, November 26, 2007 at 9am. Details on where to send the check (no credit cards) will be posted on the UMBC-FLL site [under development.] The $50 fee will be due for all teams; both teams on the List and on the Wait-list. If payment for your team is not received by Monday, November 26, 2007 at 9 am, and your team is on the List, your team will be moved to the Wait-list. Teams who never make if off the Wait-list will have their check returned.
  4. In addition, on Friday January 10, 2008 at 9 am, an Abstract will be due, by email, to the address posted on the UMBC-FLL website [under development]. This Abstract should be no longer than 250 words and should summarize the team research project. This Abstract will be given to the judges at the tournament. If the Abstract is not received by January 10 at 9 am, your team will be moved from the List to the Wait-list. In addition, teams cannot move from the Wait-list to the List without submitting the Abstract by January 10.
  5. 1.The Committee requests that teams sign up for the Maryland State Championship tournament ONLY if they will be able to participate in all 4 judging areas. Teams who attend the Tournament but do not participate in all 4 judging areas will be eliminated from any consideration for awards.
  6. The Committee also encourages teams to explore State Championship tournaments in Pittsburgh (Dec. 1 2007), and Delaware (eastern PA) (Qualifiers on December 8, 2007 or January 5, 2008).

There are two unnofficial scrimmage opportunities planned to provide a tournament experience for teams in a less pressured environment. These events are not qualifiers. Priority will be given to teams on the Wait-list and teams not registered for the Maryland State Championship. More information will be released by these groups on registration and the events.
  1. On Saturday, December 8, 2007, the Annapolis Area Christian School in Anne Arundel Co. will host the 3rd annual Eagles Invitational FLL Tournament, including robot rounds. $50. Registration TBA.
  2. On Saturday December 15, 2007 and Saturday, January 12, the Historic Electronics Museum at Northrop Grumman in Anne Arundel Co. will host a scrimmage, including robot rounds. Registration TBA.
  3. Trina Park has offered to work with any group who would like to host a scrimmage and can provide documentation and advice on how to run an event.
The Committee would like to thank all the coaches and teams for their understanding as we explore the options to benefit all the teams.

The Maryland FLL Planning Committee