First Lego League

Grades 5-8
Instructors:

Sandy Stertz, Brett Salmen, John Barberg, Patrick Schuette, HS Robotics Team Members & Parent Volunteers

Parent/Student Info Meeting:
August 24 • 6:00–8:00 PM • HS Robotics Room (Door C).
Learn about the program, season expectations, and help build this year's mission model.

FIRST LEGO League Challenge is an exciting global robotics program that immerses students in hands-on STEM learning through engineering, coding, research, and teamwork. Participants work in small teams to design, build, and program an autonomous LEGO® SPIKE™ Prime robot that completes themed missions on a competition field. Students also investigate a real-world problem and develop an innovative solution through the Innovation Project.

Each season is built around the FIRST Core Values of teamwork, inclusion, discovery, and gracious professionalism. The program culminates in a regional competition where teams showcase their hard work and achievements. 

This year's theme, BIOGLOW™, invites teams to experience the vibrancy of the world’s ecosystems. Teams will research, prototype, test, and share creative solutions inspired by the natural world while gaining valuable experience in science, technology, engineering, and coding. 

Throughout the season, students prepare for four judged areas:

• Core Values: Demonstrating teamwork, inclusion, respect, and gracious professionalism.
• Robot Design & Programming: Applying engineering principles and coding strategies to create an effective robot.
• Robot Game: Competing in three 2½-minute matches to complete missions and earn points.
• Innovation Project: Researching a real-world challenge and presenting an innovative solution.

Teams will meet each Monday for a large-group practice. In addition, each team will schedule one weekly practice determined by its mentor coach and team members.

Because this program is led by volunteer parent and student coaches, family involvement is essential to its success. Parents are expected to volunteer at a minimum of three practices during the season. Additional volunteer opportunities are available to help support teams in a variety of ways.

Regional tournaments are held on a Saturday or Sunday between late November and mid-December. Tournament assignments are announced in early October. Parents are responsible for transportation to and from competitions. Teams that advance beyond regionals will continue practicing through mid-February in preparation for the state tournament.

Note: Teams that qualify beyond the regional level may incur additional fundraising requirements or fees.

For more information, visit firstlegoleague.org.