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K-12 PROGRAMS FOR KIDS

FIRST ^®
LEGO^® League Jr.

Captures young curiosity by exploring real-world scientific challenges, learning teamwork, and working with motorized LEGO^® elements

GradesK-4

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It’s never too early to discover STEM

Through exploratory research, hands-on construction, teamwork, imagination, and fun with LEGO elements, FIRST^® LEGO^® League Jr. challenges teams of up to six kids to explore a real-world scientific concept, then build a motorized model and develop a Show Me Poster to illustrate their journey of discovery. Throughout the season, adult coaches provide guidance and inspiration.

Grades K-4; ages 6-10

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FIRST ^®
LEGO^® League

Elementary and middle school-aged students research a real-world engineering challenge, develop a solution, and compete with LEGO-based robots of their own design

Grades4-8

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Imaginative thinking and teamwork build tomorrow’s innovators

With adult Coaches to guide them, FIRST^® LEGO^® League teams (up to 10 members) apply science, engineering, and math concepts, plus a big dose of imagination, to develop solutions to real-world challenges. They also design, build, and program LEGO MINDSTORMS^®-based robots to perform autonomous “missions” on a playing field. Along the way, they develop critical thinking, team-building, and presentation skills.

Grades 4-8; ages 9-14 (ages vary by country)

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FIRST ^®
TECH CHALLENGE

Teams of middle and high school-aged students are challenged to design, build, and program a robot to play a floor game against other teams’ creations

Grades7-12

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It’s way more than building robots

Following a sports model, FIRST^® Tech Challenge teams (10+ members) design, build, program, and operate robots of their own design to play a floor game in an alliance format. Guided by adult Coaches and Mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles, while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and sharing ideas. Participants have access to tens of millions of dollars in college scholarships.

Grades 7-12; ages 12-18

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FIRST ^® Robotics Competition

High school-aged teams compete head to head on a special playing field with robots they have designed, built, and programmed

Grades9-12

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The excitement of sport, the rigors of science

Under strict rules, limited resources, and the guidance of volunteer mentors including engineers, teachers, business professionals, parents, alumni and more, teams of 25+ students have just six weeks to build and program robots to perform challenging tasks against a field of competitors. They must also raise funds, design a team "brand," hone teamwork skills, and perform community outreach. In addition to learning valuable STEM and life skills, participants are eligible to apply for $25+ million in college scholarships.

Grades 9-12; ages 14-18

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FIRST

LEGO League Jr.

Give your child the opportunity to feed their curiosity about science, develop teamwork skills, and have fun building with LEGO^® elements.

GradesK-4

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It’s never too early to discover STEM.

FIRST LEGO League Jr. is a fun, creative, skill-building experience for kids that helps them learn the value of teamwork, respect for others, and making new discoveries. As a participant (Grades K-4; ages 6-10), your child will:

Design and build a challenge-related model using LEGO^® components

Create a Show Me Poster and practice presentation skills

Explore challenges facing today's scientists

Discover real-world math and science

Begin developing teamwork skills

Choose to participate in expos and showcases

Engage in team activities guided by FIRST LEGO League Jr. Core Values

View our Impact Infographic to see for yourself how immersion in FIRST Programs, even at an early age, can positively impact children throughout their education.

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FIRST

LEGO League

Introduce your child to the concept of teamwork to research an engineering challenge, develop a solution, build and program a LEGO^® robot, and acquire important life skills.

Grades4-8

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Innovative thinking and teamwork build tomorrow's Innovators.

FIRST LEGO League* is a fun, creative, skill-building experience for kids that helps them learn the value of teamwork, respect for others, and discovering their own strengths. As a participant, your child will:

Design, build, test and program robots using LEGO^® MINDSTORMS^® technology

Research challenges facing today’s scientists

Apply real-world math and science concepts

Learn critical thinking, team-building, and presentation skills

Participate in tournaments and celebrations

Understand and practice FIRST LEGO League Core Values

View our Impact Infographic to see for yourself how immersion in FIRST Programs, even at an early age, can positively impact children throughout their education.
*Grades 4-8; ages 9-14 (ages vary by country)

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FIRST

Tech Challenge

Give your teen the opportunity play a “Sport for the Mind™” where they will design, build, and program game-playing robots.

Grades7-12

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It’s way more than building robots.

The positive impact of the FIRST Tech Challenge on participants is gratifying and well documented. Over 88% have more interest in school, 90% have more interest in taking a challenging math or science course, and 90% are more interested in attending college.

As a participant (Grades 7-12; ages 12-18) your child will:

Qualify for over $13.5 million in college scholarships

Build on their high school resume with experience that is highly regarded by colleges and universities

Develop problem-solving, organizational, and team-building skills

Master STEM skills

Design, build, and program robots

Apply real-world math and science concepts

View our Impact Infographic to see for yourself how immersion in FIRST Programs, even at an early age, can positively impact children throughout their education.

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FIRST

Robotics Competition

High-schoolers have the opportunity play a varsity “Sport for the Mind™” where they design, build, and program game-playing robots.

Grades9-12

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Varsity Sport for the Mind.

The positive impact of the FIRST Robotics Competition on participants is gratifying and well documented. Over 88% have more interest in school, 90% have more interest in taking a challenging math or science course, and 90% are more interested in attending college.

A big advantage to participating in FIRST Robotics Competition is gaining access to over $22 million in college scholarships offered by colleges, universities, and corporations who support FIRST.

As a participant (Grades 9-12; ages 14-18), your child will:

Work alongside professional engineers.

Build and compete with a robot of their own design.

Learn and use sophisticated hardware and software.

Develop design, project management, programming, teamwork, and strategic thinking skills.

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FIRST

LEGO League Jr.

Do you enjoy building with LEGO^® parts? Having fun with other kids? Learning about science and technology?

GradesK-4

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Let's go on a science and technology adventure!

You’ll love FIRST^®LEGO^® League Jr.! Teams of up to six kids* get to research a real-world problem (like food safety, recycling, energy, etc.), and then create a motorized model of what they discovered out of LEGO parts. They must also create a Show Me Poster that introduces their team and shows what they learned. Teams get judged at friendly expos and some lucky teams get invited to St. Louis to be part of the World Festival Expo, where kids from all over the world come together to celebrate their hard work. Sound like fun? What are you waiting for? Join or help start a team today!

*Grades K-4; ages 6-10

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FIRST

Lego League

Do you enjoy building with LEGO^® parts? Having fun with other kids? Coming up with solutions to real problems?

Grades4-8

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We make science and math the most fun ever!

You’ll love FIRST^® LEGO^® League! Teams of up to 10 kids* get to research a real-world problem (like food safety, recycling, energy, etc.), and then are challenged to develop a solution using their new knowledge and creative imagination. They also must design, build, and program a working robot using a LEGO MINDSTORMS^®kit, then complete “missions” on a table-top playing field. Teams compete against each other at exciting events where they make new friends, show off what they learned and invented, express team spirit, and celebrate! Sound like fun? What are you waiting for? Join or help start a team today!

Grades 4-8; ages 9-14 (ages vary by country)

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FIRST

Tech Challenge

Are you up for the challenge of designing, building, programming, and operating robots to play a floor game in an alliance format?

Grades7-12

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It’s way more than building robots!

FIRST^®Tech Challenge teams (10+ members) are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to play a floor game in an alliance format. Participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have!” Guided by adult Coaches and Mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles (like keeping an engineering notebook), while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and sharing ideas. The robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and can be programmed using a variety of languages. Teams also must raise funds, design and market their team brand, and do community outreach for which they can win awards. Participants have access to tens of millions of dollars in college scholarships.

Grades 7-12; ages 12-18

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FIRST

Robotics Competition

Are you up for the challenge of designing, building, programming, and operating a 120lb. robot to play a field game in an alliance format?

Grades9-12

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Combining the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology

We call FIRST Robotics Competition the ultimate Sport for the Mind^TM. High-school student participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have.” Under strict rules, limited resources, and an intense six-week time limit, teams of 25 or more students are challenged to raise funds, design a team "brand," hone teamwork skills, and build and program industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game against like-minded competitors. It’s as close to real-world engineering as a student can get. Each season ends with regional competitions and an exciting FIRST Championship. As a participant, you'll have access to tens of millions of dollars in college scholarships.

Grades 9-12; ages 14-18

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FIRST

LEGO League Jr.

Captures young curiosity by exploring real-world scientific challenges, learning teamwork, and working with motorized LEGO^® elements

GradesK-4

Learn More

It’s never too early to discover STEM.

FIRST^® LEGO^® League Jr.† is designed to introduce STEM concepts to kids ages 6 to 10 while exciting them through play and discovery with their favorite toy − LEGO^®. Guided by two or more adult Coaches, teams (up to 6 members, grades K-4) explore a real-world scientific problem such as food safety, recycling, energy, etc. Then they create a Show Me Poster that illustrates their journey of discovery and introduces their team. They also construct a motorized model of what they learned using LEGO elements. In the process, teams learn about teamwork, the wonders of science and technology, and FIRST LEGO League Jr. Core Values, which include respect, sharing, and critical thinking. At the close of each season, teams come together on a regional basis to strut their stuff, share ideas, celebrate, and have fun!

† An alliance between FIRST and the LEGO® Group

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FIRST

Lego League

Elementary and middle school-aged students research a real-world engineering challenge, develop a solution, and compete with LEGO-based robots of their own design

Grades4-8

Learn More

Imaginative thinking and teamwork build tomorrow’s innovators

Guided by two or more adult Coaches, FIRST^® LEGO^® League† teams (up to 10 members, grades 4-8*) research a real-world problem such as food safety, recycling, energy, etc., and are challenged to develop a solution. They also must design, build, program a robot using a LEGO MINDSTORMS^®kit, then compete on a table-top playing field. It all adds up to tons of fun while they learn to apply science, technology, engineering, and math concepts (STEM), plus a big dose of imagination, to solve a problem. Along their discovery journey, they develop critical thinking and team-building skills, basic STEM applications, and even presentation skills, as they must present their solutions with a dash of creativity to judges. They also practice the Program’s Core Values.

† An alliance between FIRST and the LEGO® Group

*Ages 9-14; ages vary by country

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FIRST

Tech Challenge

Teams of middle and high school-aged students are challenged to design, build, and program a robot to play a floor game against other teams’ creations

Grades7-12

Learn More

It’s way more than building robots

FIRST^® Tech Challenge teams (10+ members, grades 7-12) are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to play a floor game in an alliance format. Participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have!” Guided by adult Coaches and Mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles (like keeping an engineering notebook), while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and sharing ideas. The robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and can be programmed using a variety of languages. Teams also must raise funds, design and market their team brand, and do community outreach for which they can win awards. Participants have access to tens of millions of dollars in college scholarships.

Grades 7-12; ages 12-18

Let's go

FIRST

Robotics Competition

High school-aged teams compete head to head on a special playing field with robots they have designed, built, and programmed

Grades9-12

Learn More

The excitement of sport, the rigors of science

Under strict rules, limited resources, and the guidance of volunteer mentors including engineers, teachers, business professionals, parents, alumni and more, teams of 25+ students have just six weeks to build and program robots to perform challenging tasks against a field of competitors. They must also raise funds, design a team "brand," hone teamwork skills, and perform community outreach. In addition to learning valuable STEM and life skills, participants are eligible to apply for $25+ million in college scholarships.

Grades 9-12; ages 14-18

Let's Go

FIRST

LEGO League Jr.

FIRST LEGO League Jr. captures young children’s inherent curiosity and directs it toward discovering the wonders of science and technology.

GradesK-3

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Welcome to FIRST LEGO League Jr.

For children ages 6-9, FIRST® LEGO® League Jr. captures young children's curiosity and directs it toward discovering the wonders of science and technology. This program features a real-world scientific concept to be explored through research, teamwork, construction, and imagination. Guided by adult Coaches, teams use LEGO® bricks to build a model that moves and develop a Show Me Poster to illustrate their journey.

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FIRST

Lego League

In FIRST LEGO LEAGUE, teams design their own solution to a current scientific question or problem and build autonomous LEGO robots that perform a series of missions.

Grades4-8

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Welcome to Junior FIRST LEGO League

For children ages 6-9, Junior FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®) captures young children's curiosity and directs it toward discovering the wonders of science and technology. This program features a real-world scientific concept to be explored through research, teamwork, construction, and imagination. Guided by adult Coaches, teams use LEGO® bricks to build a model that moves and develop a Show Me Poster to illustrate their journey.

Let's Go

FIRST

Tech Challenge

In FIRST TECH CHALLENGE, teams, including Coaches, Mentors and Volunteers, are required to develop strategy and build robots based on sound engineering principles.

Grades7-12

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Welcome to Junior FIRST LEGO League

For children ages 6-9, Junior FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®) captures young children's curiosity and directs it toward discovering the wonders of science and technology. This program features a real-world scientific concept to be explored through research, teamwork, construction, and imagination. Guided by adult Coaches, teams use LEGO® bricks to build a model that moves and develop a Show Me Poster to illustrate their journey.

Let's Go

FIRST

Robotics Competition

FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. It’s as close to “real world” engineering as a student can get.

Grades9-12

Learn More

Welcome to Junior FIRST LEGO League

For children ages 6-9, Junior FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®) captures young children's curiosity and directs it toward discovering the wonders of science and technology. This program features a real-world scientific concept to be explored through research, teamwork, construction, and imagination. Guided by adult Coaches, teams use LEGO® bricks to build a model that moves and develop a Show Me Poster to illustrate their journey.

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Inspiration is everywhere

Through FIRST, students build STEM skills, confidence, teamwork, public speaking skills, and make connections with professionals. They are becoming the leaders of tomorrow.

Heidi Sipe
2016 Oregon Superintendent of the Year, Umatilla School District
I had incredible teachers who showed me the magic of science and technology by letting me do it myself. That's what FIRST is all about.

Megan Smith
United States Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Office of Science and Technology Policy
We believe these amazing students are the inventors, scientists, and thought leaders of the future, which is why we are excited to continue our support of FIRST.

Matt Grob
Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Your participation in FIRST has uniquely prepared you to boldly tour new heights and achieve things tomorrow that may have seemed unimaginable today.

Lt Gen Brooks L. Bash
Vice Commander of Air Mobility Command of the United States Air Force
We believe in FIRST because we believe in the positive change that comes from working together, learning together, and growing the skills that are critical to your success.

Dr. John Tracy
Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President of Engineering, Operations and Technology, The Boeing Company
FIRST not only helps kids with the STEM skills, it helps with developing their soft skills – it’s creating the innovators of tomorrow.

Urvi Shah
Director of Educational Technology & Innovation, Independent Girls School, Maryland
As a Superintendent, I see the value of FIRST - it allows students to have real world experiences and see the relevance between the classroom, higher education and the workforce.

Dr. Tim Hadfield
Camdenton R-III Superintendent, Camdenton, Missouri
FIRST is so much more than robots. It allows students to not only gain technical skills but to develop soft skills that will help them be successful in college and throughout their careers.

Sherry Comer
Camdenton R-III Afterschool Services Director & National Afterschool Alliance Ambassador-Emeritus
During our rookie year, we didn't need to win awards to feel like winners. The students had already won the first time their robot threw a Frisbee through the goal!

Mike Klinker
Director of Guidance, Danville Community High School, Danville, IN

Volunteers needed at every level

FIRST changes lives

Volunteers power FIRST at every level, impacting more than 400,000 young people around the world each year. Whatever your expertise, FIRST has a Volunteer opportunity for you.

It’s easy to get involved

FIRST makes it easy to become a Volunteer. A huge community of like-minded adults is ready and willing to help you find a Volunteer spot that’s just right for your interest and skills level.

Get back more than you give

When we say that 'FIRST changes lives,' we don't just mean the kids. FIRST can change your life, too. People who volunteer for FIRST as Coaches and Mentors have many different reasons for getting involved, but almost all of them agree that they get back much more than they give.