Additional Information:

What is FIRST™ LEGO^® League?

FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is an exciting and fun global robotics program that ignites an enthusiasm for discovery, science, and technology in kids ages 9 to 14 (16 outside of the U.S. and Canada).

Each year FLL teams embark on an adventurous Challenge based on current, real-world issues. Guided by a team coach and assisted by mentors, the kids:

• Research and solve a real-world problem based on the Challenge theme

• Present their research and solutions

• Build an autonomous robot using engineering concepts

Using the yearly Challenges, FLL:

• Entices kids to think like scientists and engineers

• Provides a fun, creative, hands-on learning experience

• Teaches kids to experiment and overcome obstacles

• Builds self-esteem and confidence

• Inspires kids to participate in science and technology

No matter what the child’s subject interest, FLL offers an opportunity for engagement.  Whether it is by creativity, technology, or research, FLL dares kids to test, explore, expand, or completely change thoughts and approaches for different sciences each year.

Competition of a different color!

Chess match meets soccer tournament!

FLL tournaments exercises competitive skills in four dimensions:

• Research and Community Involvement - the annual challenge is based on contemporary issues and invites the children to explore those issues and how their own life styles are effected by and contribute to the issue.   Research usually results in a presentation to a member of the community - school presentation, school board, city hall, church group with suggestions to remedy the conditions they explore in the challenge.

• Robotics and Engineering - problem solving through analysis and creative design, using mechanical and programming resources within the LEGO^® product set

• Teamwork - working with others - *listening* to team mates, terminology, exploring every idea, giving others a chance to be heard, assembling a solution from everyone's best ideas.

• Demonstration of FIRST Core Values - fair play, respect for your competition, gracious professionalism.

How can I find a team for my child to join?

ColoradoFIRST is prohibited from disclosing personal and confidential information about teams and coaches.  Send us the best information you can about your location  - school, zip code, city name - and your child.  We will send an email to teams in your area and invite them to reach out to you.  We cannot guarantee that you will receive a response.

Generally, teams are small, close knit groups of  4 to 10 kids.  Often, the better approach to getting your child involved is to identify some friends from school, church, scouts or other organization that share the same passion for building and invention that your child exhibits, and talk to those families about meeting to form a team.

Please contact us at the e-mail address below with your questions about forming a team.

How much does it cost?

A first year team will probably spend about $700 for a robot kit, field setup kit, practice table, league registration and tournament registrations.  Team snacks, T-Shirts and gas are not included!  Second year teams will spend less, as the Robot kit and practice table are re-usable.

What is the season schedule?

Teams can register as early as May 1st.  The FLL challenge is officially in early September.  The build season last about 8 to 12 weeks, during which times teams will organize local and regional competitions among themselves. 

The tournament season begins in November, a week or two before the Thanksgiving holiday with several qualifying events around the state, and culminating in the Championship Tournament in early December in Denver.

How can I Help?

 Many hands make light work! The more the merrier!

• Tournaments  - if there is to be a competition, there will have to be tournaments!  ColoradoFIRST produced 7 FLL tournaments in fall of 2007.  League Growth indicates that we'll be doing even more this season!  Tournaments rely on support of volunteers to get the work done! 
  Each tournament starts with setup the day before - usually Friday after work, Tournament day activities including the competition events, and finally take down, clean up and load out.

• Committee Help - The tournament committee is looking for specific people with talent and skills that can commit to ongoing development of FIRST competitions throughout the year.  Immediate needs center on community and media relations, and fund raising.   Please contact us at the e-mail address below.

• Donations - FIRST and ColoradoFIRST are dedicated to developing in children to the skills and values that will propagate our leadership in society through innovation and meeting challenges head on.  Each regional operating committee, like ColoradoFIRST, is responsible for their own financial viability.  We need funding to produce these tournaments and sponsor teams who would otherwise not share this opportunity.  Join the hundreds of sponsors that support FIRST and ColoradoFIRST.  Please contact us at the e-mail address below.

Who is ColoradoFIRST™?

ColoradoFIRST is team of dedicated volunteers that plan and produce the tournaments for FLL and FIRST ROBOTICS in Colorado and the surrounding region.

Who is FIRST™?

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was found by inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen to provide a competitive environment challenging kids to be inventors, creators and producers, rather than simply consumers, of the technological advances we depend on and enjoy every day.  Read the FIRST vision statement at USFIRST.org.

How can we learn more about LEGO^® Robotics?

Educational opportunities abound for teachers and coaches with equipment and curriculum.  Performa a Google search for "Lego Mindstorms", "NXT", "Lego robotics", etc. to find several links and resources.

For information about afterschool programs focused on Engineering and Robotics using LEGO, please contact one of our sponsors in your area at Computer Explorers.  CE has the equipment, curriculum, teachers and experience to provide these fun and exciting activities to your school at a very reasonable price.

contact us with an email to fll.teams at coloradofirst.org