FIRST LEGO League 101

Everything you need to start a team

What is in the box, how many students fit, what it costs and where the coach training comes from, for all three programs. If something here is not clear, ask us and we will walk you through it.

Ages 4 to 6, grades PreK to 1

FIRST LEGO League Discover

Ten art-led sessions that push creative thinking and constant teamwork, using LEGO DUPLO blocks to build ideas the students cannot yet write down.

FIRST LEGO League Discover

What you need

  • Thinkscape learning management system access
  • 1 class pack guide
  • 1 team meeting guide
  • 8 engineering notebooks
  • 2 Discover sets
  • 8 Discover More family sets
  • 10 session-by-session teaching slide decks
  • Writing materials (crayons, pens, pencils, markers)
  • Spare DUPLO blocks

Team size and coaching

Cost

Registration, 2023 to 2024 season $195
STEAM Park set $219.95
10 extra engineering notebooks $30
Extra Discover More sets $10

Coach training from FIRST

In-person regional session, 6 hours $300
Remote session, 6 hours $300

Ages 6 to 10, grades 2 to 4

FIRST LEGO League Explore

Twelve sessions on LEGO SPIKE Essential that teach the basics of programming and test problem solving through collaboration.

FIRST LEGO League Explore

What you need

  • Thinkscape learning management system access
  • 1 class pack guide
  • 1 team meeting guide
  • 24 engineering notebooks
  • 6 Explore sets
  • 12 session-by-session teaching slide decks
  • Writing materials
  • Spare LEGO pieces

Team size and coaching

Cost

Registration, 2023 to 2024 season $695
SPIKE Essential sets $319.95
10 extra engineering notebooks $40

Coach training from FIRST

In-person regional session, 12 hours $600
Remote session, 12 hours $600

Ages 9 to 16, grades 5 to 10

FIRST LEGO League Challenge

A new game every year on the same theme as FTC and FRC. Teams design, build and program a robot to complete that season's missions. Challenge is the only FLL program with district events, regionals and a world championship of its own.

FIRST LEGO League Challenge

What you need

  • Thinkscape learning management system access
  • 1 class pack guide
  • 1 team meeting guide
  • 24 engineering notebooks
  • 4 robot game rulebooks
  • 2 Challenge sets
  • 12 session-by-session teaching slide decks

Team size and coaching

Cost

Registration, 2023 to 2024 season $825
SPIKE Prime robot plus expansion set $539.90
10 extra engineering notebooks $50

Coach training from FIRST

In-person regional session, 14 hours $600
Remote session, 14 hours $600

Questions we get

Before you commit

How do we approach local schools to start a program?

Reach out early and find the teachers or parent volunteers willing to help run it. Teams need funding too, and a small fundraiser usually covers it. If you are a parent, contact your local FRC team: having them involved does more for a new program than anything else.

How can I get my FRC team involved?

FLL is a real opportunity for FRC students to work with younger kids and build teaching and leadership skills, and it counts as volunteer hours. Promote both and students will sign up. It is one of the fastest ways to log hours while actually learning something.

How do I get my child into an FLL program?

Ask your child's school first: there may already be a team. If not, look for a local team that is open to join. Once you have found one, register your child on the FIRST website, which is required to compete at FLL Challenge events.

How long is a typical session?

It depends on the program. Discover sessions are quick and 45 minutes covers one. Explore is more hands-on because it involves programming and more intricate builds, so allow at least an hour. Challenge takes the most time: building and programming means constant trial and error, so plan on 1 to 1.5 hours.

Do I need qualifications to run a team?

No. You need a positive attitude about picking up the basics of FIRST LEGO League and a commitment to weekly sessions. That is genuinely it.