FIRST Lego League
FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is an international program that introduces children to the fun experience of solving real-world problems by applying math, science, and technology. Guided by adult mentors and their own imaginations, FLL participants solve real-world engineering challenges, develop important life skills, and learn to make positive contributions to society.
Each September, a new Challenge is unveiled to FLL International teams across the world. Over the course of eight or more weeks, teams plan, design, build, program, test, and refine a fully autonomous robot capable of completing the various missions of the FLL International "Robot Game" using LEGO MINDSTORMS technology. Teams also search the web, talk to scientists, visit the library, and develop compelling presentations based on the FLL International "Research Assignment", which relates to a problem or opportunity facing the world today.
For more information about FLL, visit the
FLL website or the
wikipedia FLL article .
NEW TEAM
What Does an FLL Team Look Like?
FLL teams can be part of a school classroom, extracurricular group, home school, or civic organization. It is recommended that a team be comprised of no fewer than four students and at
least one adult coach. The maximum is 10 child participants. There are several team member roles and responsibilities
that provide a basis for creating and managing the team. These roles include building, documentation, marketing,
programming, quality control, research, strategic analysis, and project management.
What Does It Take? - Coaches
Teachers, parents, and technology professionals are all excellent choices for the role of coach. The coach must be 18
years or older and should possess the following: the desire to explore side-by-side with students, good communication
skills, prioritizing skills, and multitasking skills. The coach's role is to facilitate instruction and optimize the learning
experience of the team members by allowing independent thought. Direct adult involvement or intervention during
the problem-solving process is strongly discouraged. Coaches handle all the operational details: where and when to
meet, organizing help for snacks, team costumes, etc. Coaches do not need technical expertise but must be willing to
acquire some basic knowledge of the programming environment and LEGO robot building. As leader of an FLL
registered team, the coach will have access to robot kits, team challenge kits, software and building instructional
manuals from FLL.
What Does It Take? - Mentors
Mentors are high school students or adults who provide technical assistance and guidance to a team. Often the same
person fills both the coach and mentor roles. Sometimes a single person coaches several teams while each team has its
own mentor. Sometimes this is reversed. Mentors give FLL participants the opportunity to explore scientific principles
and practices while working with a positive role model.
