Overview

What is FIRST LEGO League?

FLL is an international program for children created in a partnership between FIRST and the LEGO Company. Each September, FLL announces the annual Challenge to teams, which engages them in hands-on robotics design and authentic scientific research. After 8 intense weeks, the FLL season culminates at high-energy, sports-like tournaments. This year, over 34,500 children in North America and 5,500 children from 11 countries internationally are participating in the FLL program

FLL - Sport for the Mind

Each year, the eight-week FLL season begins with the announcement of a new Challenge. The Challenge engages teams in the same problem solving process that is practiced in industry: research, brainstorm, design, build, and test. Teams use the LEGO®MINDSTORMS Robotics Invention System™, consisting of LEGO bricks, sensors, motors, and gears to construct and program a fully autonomous robot capable of completing the various missions of the Challenge. The teams also do a Challenge Project, where they conduct research and create a technological or engineering solution to an aspect of the Challenge and present a solution.

At the end of at least eight weeks of a design and build period, the teams compete in tournaments against other teams. All teams face the same time and materials limitations.

With an enthusiasm and energy level you typically see at athletic events, the tournament is an exciting, full-day event filled with music, cheering teams and spectators, dignitaries, and plenty of role models for the students. Judges evaluate teams on mechanical and programming features, the presentation of the "Nano Quest" Project they created in response to the Challenge, their teamwork, and other leadership qualities.

Typically, each team of 7-10 children has at least one coach and preferably one mentor from the technical community. Each robot runs autonomously around a specifically designed course, scoring points by completing the individual missions of the Challenge.

About FIRST

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology FIRST's mission is to design accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering.

Ten years ago we began the FIRST Robotics Competition with 28 high school teams and a single 14 x 14 foot playing field in a New Hampshire high school gym. Today, we have more than 600 teams participating nationwide and internationally, in 17 Regional events and a Championship event.

The FIRST LEGO League has expanded its reach from 2,000 to 17,000 children across the United States and over 5,000 children from countries around the world.

About LEGO Company

"Children are our role models because they are curious, creative and imaginative. They embrace discovery and wonder. They are natural learners. These are precious qualities that should be nurtured and stimulated throughout our lives".

The LEGO brand is an integrated universe of experiences contributing to more fun and play. But the LEGO brand represents much more than just play. "Play" in the LEGO sense is learning. By helping children to learn, we build confident, curious and resourceful adults. For their future. And ours.