1. Welcome to FIRST Lego League!
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology

2. Introduction to Robotics
FIRST was developed to inspire kids!
New challenge is released each year - this year it’s about water.
Teams work together on 3 areas: robot, project and core values.
Team competes at 1 tournament with a chance to advance.

3. Team Formation
Most teams are already formed. Please let me know if there are any conflicts.
Remember that your coaches are volunteers!
Teams can choose to design/order their own t- shirts. (EP t-shirt design will be the challenge logo with team name)
Teams decide on meeting times/locations.
Teams often meet once or twice a week for a couple of hours.
Teams select 1st and 2nd choice for regional.
IF the team advances, the Sectional tournaments are in January.

4. Team Resources FIRST website (firstinspires.org)
High Tech Kids (
Free Coaches Training: Sept. 23 at CMS
Workshops: available online, EP Community Ed will pay for training that coaches need
Adult Mentors: Michelle Maas, Dean Hystad
Student Mentors: Talon Robotics

5. What Makes a Winning Team

6. Prepare, Practice, Present
3 P’s
Prepare, Practice, Present

7. General Information
Challenge Information is online at
Kids should build robot, decide on the project, do the research, develop the project presentation, etc.
Have students practice presentation - stand tall, respect teammates, be polite, take turns and say thank you!
Read the entire challenge!
Kids do the work!
Practice ALL aspects

8. At Tournament Make sure to bring consent forms!
16 Teams compete in a division
Teams are ranked by quartile
More than one team advances - listen to awards carefully
Families are welcome - bring a chair, refreshments (concessions are available)
LONG day - be prepared!
Teams have several “judging” sessions and robot runs - check your schedule!

9. Project Practice the presentation! Make sure to time the presentation
Students do all the setup - adults don’t talk/help
Kids need to be able to talk about the challenge!
Use several sources for research
Present a solution to the problem

10. Core Values Judges are looking at HOW they work together
Do they work together, take turns, etc.
Kids can ask questions
Usually not a single right answer
Kids should know some of the core values!
Only 1 adult in the room
Kids will asked to complete an activity

11. Robot Design Team brings robot and entire team starts at table
Demonstrate best missions first
Then 2 programmers will move aside with judge to show programming
Practice talking about how robot was designed, ideas were developed, etc.
Kids need to be able to talk about their robot
Use of sensors helpful
Students need to run computer

12. Competition
Entire team can be on the floor but only 2 at the table at a time.
Team is encouraged to cheer for their team.
Referees don’t know your final score - that will be available after (usually at a computer projection)
Students can/should double check the referee’s scoring
Parents SHOULD NOT question ref - students only
Consider a cart to carry robot and attachments
Have a plan for order of missions
Discuss what happens when a mission fails
Practice switching attachments

13. FIRST is about INSPIRING kids - make sure to have fun and celebrate small victories!

14. Thanks!
Questions?!