Hands-on learning
FIRST® LEGO® League introduces science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, to children ages 6–14 through fun, exciting hands-on learning.
FIRST® LEGO® League participants gain real-world problem-solving experiences through a guided, global robotics program, helping today’s students and teachers build a better future together.
Students engage in hands-on STEM experiences, building confidence, growing their knowledge and developing habits of learning.
FIRST® LEGO® League empowers kids to become collaborative problem solvers, ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.
Founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, or FIRST®, is a global nonprofit (501(c)(3)) organization that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 6–18 (2nd–12th grade). FIRST® programs are suitable for schools or structured afterschool activities and receive support from a vast network of volunteers, educators and sponsors/donors, including over 200 Fortune 500 companies.
FIRST® prepares young people for the future through a suite of life-changing youth robotics programs that build skills, confidence and resilience. Our team-based 2nd–12th grade robotics programs can be facilitated in school classrooms or as a structured after-school program in schools, libraries, youth organizations, community groups and homeschools.
For more than 35 years, FIRST® has been bringing competitive robotics to life. FIRST® works because its programs use strategies known to increase student interest in STEM: hands-on learning, working as a team on real-life problems, exposure to careers and adult mentors, emphasis on FIRST® core values and a culminating celebration where students can showcase what they created and learned.
Since 2008, Arizona State University has been proud to have partnered with FIRST® to empower Arizona students to explore STEM.
See your child grow
See your child grow and shine through FIRST® LEGO® League. Starting with the Explore program, children will take their background knowledge of STEM and put it into practice as they work in teams to design and build robots using the LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential Robots.
Once they are ready to move into a competitive setting, they join Challenge and apply their STEM skills, combined with critical thinking, to work with a team, build a robot and compete in an exciting, mission-based robotics game.
Students can begin their FIRST® LEGO® League journey with Explore and progress through Challenge. Children can also join any division based on their age or grade level.
Stages of learning for FIRST® LEGO® League
The FIRST® LEGO® League program is broken down into two programs that guide young children through STEM learning and exploration at an early age. From Explore to Challenge, students will understand the basics of STEM and apply their skills in an exciting competition while gaining productive habits of learning, confidence and teamwork skills along the way.
Grades
2–4
Ages
6–10
- Introduction to coding.
- Investigate a real-world theme.
- Problem-solving and working as a team.
- Delivered in-class or as a team of 2–6 members.
- Teams participate in friendly local festivals between December and April.
Grades
4–8
Ages
9–14
- Robotics-based life skills competition.
- Develop future workplace skills.
- Real-world research, coding and design.
- Delivered in-class or as a team of 2–10 members.
- Teams participate in local qualifiers.
- Arizona FLL Challenge State Championship is hosted by ASU each January.
A suite of STEM programs for every age
Children can join any of our three programs based on age or grade level.
Start a FIRST® LEGO® League team
Individual team
Anyone can start a FIRST® team. Teams often form through local schools, libraries or youth organizations — but they can also start in a family’s garage or basement, as long as there’s a bit of space and a willingness to host team meetings. Each team needs two adult lead coaches.
Teams need all kinds of talents and creativity to succeed. Individual teams can register to compete in official FIRST® LEGO League events, where they have the opportunity to advance through local and regional competitions.
They can even qualify for the FIRST® Championship, an international celebration of STEM and innovation.
Class Packs
The FIRST® Class Pack is another great option for classrooms or after-school programs. Class Packs provide educators and communities with a flexible, high-quality way to bring the full FIRST® LEGO League experience to a group of students in an educational setting.
Class Pack teams participate in exhibitions and local festivals organized by their school or organization. These teams do not advance through the official competition pathway unless they separately register as individual teams.
