First Lego League

The FIRST LEGO League educational program, with its two offerings Explore (formerly FIRST LEGO League Junior) and Challenge (formerly FIRST LEGO League), accompanies and inspires school children over several years, leaving a lasting, positive impact on their STEM (math, computer science, science and technology) skills, teamwork and communication.

FIRST LEGO League Challenge is a research and robotics competition for 9- to 16-year-old school children that combines the fun of engineering and science with the exciting atmosphere of a sporting event. Challenge facilitates participants' access to science subjects and inspires their motivation to learn an engineering or IT profession at an early age.

FIRST LEGO League Explore is a research and robotics program from the education foundation FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and toy manufacturer LEGO. It is designed to introduce children ages six to ten to STEM subjects (math, computer science, science and technology). Children's introduction to the subject areas is facilitated by the colorful bricks they are familiar with and love.

First Lego League Challenge
First Lego League Explore

Team spirit desired

As a team, class members work on a joint project for several weeks like real engineering professionals. They plan, program, and test a fully automated robot, conduct research on a topic of their own choosing, and create a presentation of their findings.

Accompanied by one or more adult coaches, the teams (up to six team members) research real-world problems such as recycling, energy, or the coexistence of humans and animals. They create a research poster that showcases their discovery and team, and they build a motorized model out of LEGO bricks. On the "journey," children learn to work together as a team and explore the wonders of science and technology. The project focuses on FIRST's core values of respectful interaction, shared experiences and critical thinking. At the end of each season, teams gather for an exhibition to present their findings, share ideas and have fun together!

For more information on how to participate and the year's theme, visit www.first-lego-league.org.