FIRST LEGO LEAGUE CHALLENGE

Each year FIRST National releases a themed Challenge in early August, which is at the heart of FIRST LEGO League Challenge. Teams of students ages 9-14 engage in research, problem-solving, coding, and engineering – building and programming a LEGO robot that navigates the missions of a Robot Game. As part of Challenge, teams also design an innovative solution to a real-world problem relevant to the theme. Teams typically meet twice a week to fulfill three criteria to be shared at regional events:

The Robot Game 

Using a LEGO Education Computer Science and AI kit, a team designs, builds and programs a robot to achieve specific missions and earn points. Robots compete in three 2.5 minute rounds in an attempt to earn as many points as possible. Teams are evaluated on mechanical design, programming, innovation and strategy, and Gracious Professionalism.

There are four unique student roles with guided tasks and missions:

• Driver Role: The driver uses a controller to navigate a driver base around the field collecting and delivering game elements.
• Operator Role: The operator designs and uses a mechanical tool to handle and trigger game elements in their area.
• Technician Role: The technician designs and uses a robotic tool to handle and trigger game elements in their area and around the field.
• Specialist Role: The specialist controls the team device and one or more robotic game elements on the field.

Teams learn and exemplify the FIRST philosophies of Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition through Core Values. Teams are evaluated on how they work together, as well as inspiration, teamwork, and Gracious Professionalism.

The culmination of the season is events where teams gather to show and share what they have learned about the season theme and compete to advance to the regional and state level for a chance to compete on the world stage.

Registration is a two-step process – Teams must register nationally with FIRST and locally with FUNducation Central and West Florida Region for events.

• National Registration, with FIRST, gets your team an official team number, access to order the yearly Challenge Set, access to the yearly Challenge Documents and access to order a LEGO robot. National registration opens in May and closes in October.
• Event Registration allows you to register for a competition in the FUNducation Central and West Florida Region. Event registration opens early September. Teams must be registered nationally before registering locally with FUNducation FIRST Florida Central and West.

Team Meet Up!

• Teams set their own schedule but typically meet twice per week for 1.5 – 2 hours.
• Reference your yearly Team Meeting Guide for ideas on where to start and how to navigate the season.

Check the events page, for schedule updates and general event information and be sure to share event information with families.

Prices below are for basic items needed for participation and do not include items such as team shirts, meeting supplies, or spare parts/LEGO bricks. All pricing is subject to change.

First Year/Rookie Team

• 2x LEGO Education Computer Science and AI kits: $429.95 each
• FIRST National Team Registration (TBD) and Challenge Kit (TBD): TBD
• FUNducation FIRST Central and West Scrimmage Event: TBD
• FUNducation FIRST Central and West Qualifier Event: TBD

Additional Costs for Advancing Teams:

• FUNducation FIRST Central and West Regional Event: TBD
• FUNducation FIRST Central and West State Event: TBD

Team Scholarships and Grants

FUNducation Central and West Florida Region offers a very limited number of scholarships to teams. Please contact us for details regarding the current opportunities.

As regional Program Delivery Organization and a STEAM nonprofit, FUNducation coaches teams and works with organizations and individuals to create and power their own successful teams. For more information, email TBD.