TRANSITION THROUGH FIRST
FIRST provides innovative robotics K-12 programs that engage young people in the fields of STEM.
The mission of FIRST® is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership. Read more about the mission and vision of FIRST. With this progression and mission, all students can engage with meaningful STEM programs, no matter what age!
HOW TO TRANSITION TO…
FIRST LEGO League Explore (Grades 2-4)
When moving from FLL Discover to FLL Explore, students will be able to extend their skills learned in the previous program and gain more teamwork, robotics, and research skills.
INDIVIDUALS: To participate in FIRST LEGO League Explore, students wanting to participate need to find a team to join or start a team.
* NOTE: For several reasons, VA+DC FLL does not match individual students to pre-existing teams.
TEAMS: As of right now FLL Discover is only offered in a Class Pack format, so if transitioning from the previous program, most teams will form from that class or school that participated. While there is a Class Pack option for FLL Explore; if schools want to participate in local official Festival events with their team, they must register as a team with FIRST.
A FIRST LEGO League Explore team consists of 2-6 team members, grades 2-4. The team will need to get a Spike Essentials kit (discounts offered through FIRST), register with FIRST, and sign up for a VA+DC FIRST LEGO League official Festival. For more team and coach frequently asked questions, check this page!
FIRST LEGO League Challenge (Grades 4-8)
When moving from FLL Explore to FLL Challenge, students will be able to extend their skills learned in the previous program and gain more advanced team management, robotics/ programming, and research/ presentation skills.
INDIVIDUALS: To participate in FIRST LEGO League Challenge, students wanting to participate need to find a team to join or start a team.
* NOTE: For several reasons, VA+DC FLL does not match individual students to pre-existing teams.
TEAMS: A team that is transitioning from FLL Explore to FLL Challenge will need to make just a few adjustments to get started… Same great program, just stepped up a level and with a competitive edge!
– A FIRST LEGO League Challenge team consists of 2-10 team members, grades 4-8. That means FLL Explore teams can recruit a few more team members! Ask your friends! Find out more about the participation rules here.
– The team will need to get either a LEGO EV3 Mindstorm or LEGO Spike Prime (discounts offered through FIRST).
– The team will still need to register with FIRST and sign up for a VA+DC FIRST LEGO League Qualifying Regional Tournament. When registering with FIRST, teams will receive a new team number and cannot carry the old number when moving to a new program.
– For more team and coach frequently asked questions, check this page!
FIRST Tech Challenge (Grades 6-12)
* Coming Soon *
FIRST Robotics Competition (Grades 9-12)
* Coming Soon *
