{"id":77,"date":"2022-05-22T00:27:05","date_gmt":"2022-05-22T00:27:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jedc.org\/first\/first-lego-league\/"},"modified":"2026-05-07T11:36:38","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T19:36:38","slug":"fll","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.jedc.org\/firstinalaska\/fll\/","title":{"rendered":"FIRST LEGO League CHALLENGE"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"et_pb_section_0 et_pb_section et_section_regular et_block_section\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_row_0 et_pb_row et_block_row\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_0 et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et-last-child et_block_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_post_title_0 et_pb_post_title et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_title_container\"><h1 class=\"entry-title\">FIRST LEGO League CHALLENGE<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_video_0 et_pb_video et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_video_box\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kkN08bDv9EI?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_row_1 et_pb_row et_block_row\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_1 et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et-last-child et_block_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_0 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">What is <span><em>FIRST <\/em>LEGO League Challenge<\/span>?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_divider_0 et_pb_divider et_pb_space et_pb_divider_position_top et_pb_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_divider_internal\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_1 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><p><span><em>FIRST<\/em><sup><em style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00ae <\/em><\/sup>LEGO<sup><em style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00ae <\/em><\/sup>League Challenge <\/span>is a robotics competition developed for upper elementary and middle school age students. The <span><em>FIRST <\/em>LEGO League<\/span>\u00a0theme is different each year and is drawn from real events in society. There are three primary activities:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Build and program a small <span>LEGO\u00a0<\/span>robot to accomplish challenges.<\/li>\n<li>Investigate a research topic then prepare a presentation.<\/li>\n<li>Build a team around the <span><em>FIRST <\/em>LEGO League<\/span>\u00a0Core Values. Teams have regular practices (just like a sports team) to prepare for a culminating tournament at which they will meet and share their work with other teams.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Robot challenges are the most visible aspect of the competition. <span>LEGO\u00a0<\/span>robots are built and programmed to perform different tasks on a 4'x8' printed playing mat. The robot interacts with specialized <span>LEGO\u00a0<\/span>parts that represent the tasks. Each year the playing mat and <span>LEGO\u00a0<\/span>models which reflect the annual theme. The <span>LEGO\u00a0<\/span>robot kit and competition table are reusable every year. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">The mat and challenge parts are NOT reused but provide additional parts for the team to use in future seasons and are great for off-season games and practice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>An equally important aspect of the competition is the research topic or project, called the Innovation Project.\u00a0 Like the robotic challenges, the Innovation Project has some connection with the overall <span><em>FIRST <\/em>LEGO League <\/span>theme. Students are given basic guidance then encouraged to create a solution for the research challenge. They research the topic, propose a solution, then develop a presentation that summarizes and defends their conclusions.<\/p>\n<p>Everything comes together at a Tournament. The team meets with judges for a thirty minute judging session which allows the team to present their project, a technical review of their robot, and to demonstrate how the team learned and used the <span><em>FIRST <\/em><\/span>Core Values. The rubric for judging, as well as a outline od the session is provided on the <span><em>FIRST <\/em>LEGO League Challenge resources page. <\/span>All teams are assessed on Core Values behavior throughout the competition. Each team also attempts the robots challenge tasks three times on the competition tables.<\/p>\n<p>Tournaments provide an exciting opportunity for teams to learn from each other and share their excitement rather than a \"winner takes all\" competition. Teams advance to the Alaska State Championships based on overall performance at the competition.<\/p>\n<p>Alaska typically hosts regional competitions that feed two Championships, an Invitational in Anchorage (teams must qualify in advance) and an open competition in Fairbanks (open to all teams).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_divider_1 et_pb_divider et_pb_space et_pb_divider_position_top et_pb_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_divider_internal\"><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_row_2 et_pb_row et_block_row\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_2 et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_3 et_block_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_2 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">WHO<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_3 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><em>FIRST <\/em>LEGO<sup><em style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00a0<\/em><\/sup>League Challenge <\/span>Teams consist of are 2-10 kids who are in the age range of 9 to 14 years of age, or are in Grades 4-8.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Teams form in schools, clubs, and neighborhood groups. No requirements on affiliation.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Teams need at least 2 adult coaches\/mentors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_3 et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_3 et_block_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_4 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">WHAT<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_5 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><em>FIRST <\/em>LEGO League Challenge<\/span>\u00a0is a robotics competition developed for upper elementary and middle school age students. It works simarly to a sports team with regular practices where teams learn rules and skills and work together to prepare for competition.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">The goals are to inspire students to take an interest in science and technology and begin considering these fields as a career.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">There are three primary activities: 1) Build and program a small robot to accomplish various challenges, 2) Investigate a research topic and present findings at the tournament, and 3) Build a team around <em>FIRST<span style=\"font-size: 12px;\"> <\/span><\/em>Core Values.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_4 et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_3 et-last-child et_block_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_6 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">WHEN<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_7 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Most teams form up in late spring or early September.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Registration opens late spring. Registration usually closes mid to late September.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">The challenge is released in August or early September.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">State regional qualifier competitions typically happen all over the state from late November to early January. There are two state championships, one in Anchorage in January and the other in Fairbanks usually in February. Teams must qualify to advance to the state competition in Anchorage. The Fairbanks Championship is open to all teams.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">New coaches and mentors will have several opportunities to attend workshops early in the season.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_row_3 et_pb_row et_block_row\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_5 et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_3 et_block_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_8 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">WHERE<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_9 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">There are teams in most areas of the state including remote villages. Teams can be started ANYWHERE. Teams that are unable to travel can still share their work and compete with other teams thanks to the GCI Virtual Competition held each year.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Qualifiers are held around the state: Kenai, Juneau, Bethel, Palmer, Anchorage, and Fairbanks usually host tournaments. Any region with at least 12 participating teams is invited to host an official qualifier. Regions with fewer teams are encouraged to host unofficial \"local\" events.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many teams meet in school classrooms as an after school club. Basements, garages, and just about any other place works great too.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_6 et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_3 et_block_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_10 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">COST<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_11 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">A <span><em>FIRST <\/em>LEGO League Challenge<\/span> Team is fairly inexpensive. Cost of Team registration (as of Fall 2025) is $370.00 not including shipping and handling. this price includes the cost of registration, and the season specific \"Challenge Set\" which includes the season specific mat, mission models, and useful information books for teams. this is a recurring cost for teams returning each season.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">For new teams in their first year, they will also need to build a play field, buy a robot kit (LEGO SPIKE Prime Kit) and any extra parts. thse elements can be resued from year to year.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">A typical first year team will spend around $1,000 total to register, build a play field, buy a robot kit and extra parts. Returning teams spend around $500 per year.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Teams are funded by schools, parent-teacher organizations, parents, or other sources of funds. Some find corporate sponsors. There are a limited number of new team grants available for teams with financial needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_7 et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_3 et-last-child et_block_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_12 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">HOW<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_13 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify;\">Check the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.firstinspires.org\/robotics\/fll\/start-a-team\"><span><em>FIRST<\/em><sup><em style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00ae <\/em><\/sup>LEGO<sup><em style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00ae <\/em><\/sup>League Challenge<\/span> Website<\/a> for information on starting a team. More information and assistance is available by emailing firstak@jedc.org.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_row_4 et_pb_row et_block_row\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_8 et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et-last-child et_block_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_divider_2 et_pb_divider et_pb_space et_pb_divider_position_top et_pb_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_divider_internal\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_14 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">THEME<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_15 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">The Theme For The 2026-2027 <span><em>FIRST<\/em><sup><em style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00ae <\/em><\/sup>LEGO<sup><em style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00ae <\/em><\/sup>League Challenge Season<\/span> Is:<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_row_5 et_pb_row et_block_row\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_9 et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et_block_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_divider_3 et_pb_divider_hidden et_pb_space et_pb_divider_position_top et_pb_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_divider_internal\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_divider_4 et_pb_divider_hidden et_pb_space et_pb_divider_position_top et_pb_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_divider_internal\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_divider_5 et_pb_divider_hidden et_pb_space et_pb_divider_position_top et_pb_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_divider_internal\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_image_0 et_pb_image et_pb_module et_block_module\"><span class=\"et_pb_image_wrap\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jedc.org\/firstinalaska\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/first_bioglow_logo_fll_lockup_rgb-scaled.png\" title=\"first_bioglow_logo_fll_lockup_rgb\" width=\"2560\" height=\"698\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jedc.org\/firstinalaska\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/first_bioglow_logo_fll_lockup_rgb-scaled.png 2560w, https:\/\/www.jedc.org\/firstinalaska\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/first_bioglow_logo_fll_lockup_rgb-1280x349.png 1280w, https:\/\/www.jedc.org\/firstinalaska\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/first_bioglow_logo_fll_lockup_rgb-980x267.png 980w, https:\/\/www.jedc.org\/firstinalaska\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/first_bioglow_logo_fll_lockup_rgb-480x131.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 2560px, 100vw\" class=\"wp-image-6888\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_10 et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_2 et-last-child et_block_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_video_1 et_pb_video et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_video_box\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Introducing the 2026-2027 FIRST LEGO League BIOGLOW Season\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_g9kl7xb8nU?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_row_6 et_pb_row et_block_row\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_11 et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et-last-child et_block_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_divider_6 et_pb_divider et_pb_space et_pb_divider_position_top et_pb_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_divider_internal\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_16 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">TRAININGS AND OTHER RESOURCES<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_row_7 et_pb_row et_block_row\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_12 et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_3 et_block_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_17 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><p>JEDC has a series of FREE training videos and resources from the current and previous seasons of <span><em>FIRST<\/em><sup><em style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00ae <\/em><\/sup>LEGO<sup><em style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00ae <\/em><\/sup>League Challenge<\/span>. For training recordings and associated slides, check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jedc.org\/firstinalaska\/training\/\">training page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_13 et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_3 et_block_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_18 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><p>For additional resources, check the JEDC <span><em>FIRST<\/em><sup><em style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00ae <\/em><\/sup>LEGO<sup><em style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00ae <\/em><\/sup>League Challenge <\/span>\u00a0resources page! This page has both offical and unoffical <span><em>FIRST<\/em><sup><em style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00ae<\/em><\/sup><\/span> resources which have been released by <span><em>FIRST<\/em><sup><em style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00ae<\/em><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0or found helpful by previous seasons coaches and teams<\/p>\n<p><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jedc.org\/firstinalaska\/fll-challenge-resources\">Click here<\/a><\/b> to be taken to this page and access to these FREE resources!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"et_pb_column_14 et_pb_column et_pb_column_1_3 et-last-child et_block_column et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_19 et_pb_text et_pb_bg_layout_light et_pb_module et_block_module\"><div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\"><p>Click this link if you are looking for Registration, specific challenge information, further resources, and access to <span><em>FIRST<\/em><sup><em style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00ae <\/em><\/sup>LEGO<sup><em style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00ae <\/em><\/sup>League Explore<\/span>, <span><em>FIRST<\/em><sup><em style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00ae <\/em><\/sup>LEGO<sup><em style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00ae <\/em><\/sup>League Discover<\/span>, <span><em>FIRST<\/em><sup><em style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00ae <\/em><\/sup>LEGO<sup><em style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00ae <\/em><\/sup>League Challenge,<\/span> <span><em>FIRST<\/em><sup><em style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00ae <\/em><\/sup>Tech Challenge<\/span>, and <span><em>FIRST<\/em><sup><em style=\"font-size: 12px;\">\u00ae<\/em><\/sup>\u00a0Robotics Competition.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.firstinspires.org\/robotics\/fll\">Visit the official FIRST LEGO League site\u00a0(includes registration links, challenge info, resources, and more)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-77","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jedc.org\/firstinalaska\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/77","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jedc.org\/firstinalaska\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jedc.org\/firstinalaska\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jedc.org\/firstinalaska\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jedc.org\/firstinalaska\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77"}],"version-history":[{"count":37,"href":"https:\/\/www.jedc.org\/firstinalaska\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/77\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6897,"href":"https:\/\/www.jedc.org\/firstinalaska\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/77\/revisions\/6897"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jedc.org\/firstinalaska\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}