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Compete in first® lego® league

Build and program a LEGO robot, design a team research project, practice missions, and present your solution while preparing to compete in FIRST® LEGO® League.

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Step-by-step guide to compete in FIRST® LEGO® League

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Getting Started with FIRST LEGO League Challenge

What you need

Lego robotics kit (ev3 spike or similar), challenge mat and mission models, small trays or bowls for sorting pieces, notebook and pen, basic tools like rubber bands or tape if needed, adult supervision required

Step 1

Choose your team members for FIRST LEGO League.

Step 2

Read the official FIRST LEGO League challenge and scoring guide carefully.

Step 3

Build a basic driving robot chassis that can hold attachments.

Step 4

Program a simple drive routine to move forward 30 centimeters turn 90 degrees and stop.

Step 5

Select one mission from the challenge to focus on first.

Step 6

Sketch an attachment idea in your notebook for that mission.

Step 7

Build the mission attachment from your LEGO pieces.

Step 8

Attach the mission attachment to your robot.

Step 9

Run the robot on that mission on the challenge mat.

Step 10

Make one change to your attachment or program to improve the run.

Step 11

Choose a research question for your team project.

Step 12

Research the question and write three key facts in your notebook.

Step 13

Create a short poster or slide with your research findings.

Step 14

Practice presenting your poster and your robot solution aloud with your team.

Step 15

Share your finished creation on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share

Help!?

What can we use if we don't have the official FIRST LEGO League guide, mat, or specific motors/sensors?

If you can't get the official FIRST LEGO League challenge and scoring guide, mat, or specific motors/sensors, download and print the guide and mat PDF or draw the mat on poster board and use standard LEGO Technic motors plus a smartphone timer or compass as substitutes.

My robot doesn't drive exactly 30 cm or turn 90° and the attachment keeps falling off—how do we fix that?

Calibrate by measuring your wheel circumference to convert rotations to centimeters, adjust motor power or add a gyro/rotation-count check for the 30 cm/90° routine, and secure the mission attachment with extra beams, friction pins, or a clip before running on the challenge mat.

How can we adapt the steps for younger kids or older/advanced students?

For younger kids, pre-build a sturdy driving chassis from larger LEGO pieces and use a single-block drive program while they sketch and snap on a simple attachment, and for older students add sensors, modular attachments, and a deeper research question with three cited facts for the poster.

What are simple ways to extend or personalize our robot and project after the first run?

Extend the activity by building modular mission attachments to swap between runs, adding a team logo or color-coded labels to the chassis, tracking run times and success rates to refine the program, and sharing photos and a summary on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to compete in FIRST® LEGO® League

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FIRST LEGO League Challenge SUBMERGED Robot Game Missions Video

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Facts about robotics and STEM competitions for kids

🤖 Teams build and program their robots using LEGO platforms like LEGO Mindstorms and SPIKE Prime.

🧩 Each FLL season has a new themed challenge where teams complete several missions in a 2½‑minute robot match.

🏅 FIRST LEGO League launched in 1998 and has grown into a global program that inspires young engineers.

🌍 FLL events happen worldwide — students from over 100 countries take part in challenges and fairs.

💡 Besides the robot, teams research a real‑world problem and present an innovative solution to judges.

How do you prepare a team to compete in FIRST® LEGO® League?

To prepare a team for FIRST® LEGO® League, start by reading the season challenge and rules, register your team, and recruit 4–10 students and an adult coach. Schedule regular build/program sessions, assign roles (builder, programmer, researcher, presenter), brainstorm the project, iterate prototypes, test missions on a practice mat, and rehearse the research presentation and robot run. Use mentors, keep a team notebook, and focus on timeboxing and teamwork to refine solutions before competitions

What materials do I need for FIRST® LEGO® League?

Common materials include a LEGO Education set (SPIKE Prime or LEGO Mindstorms, depending on your season), a laptop or tablet with the official programming software, the season’s mission model parts and mat, spare batteries and chargers, building plates and extra connectors, sensors (color, distance) included with the kit, a team notebook, presentation supplies (poster board, markers), and registration fees. Check your local program’s rules for required/allowed equipment.

What ages is FIRST® LEGO® League suitable for?

FIRST® LEGO® League has age-based program levels. Younger children can join FIRST Explore/Discover programs (roughly ages 4–10) that focus on play and teamwork. The core FIRST LEGO® League Challenge, which includes building and programming a robot plus a research project, is aimed at older elementary and middle school kids—commonly around 9–16 years, depending on your region. Always check your local FIRST guidelines for exact age brackets and eligibility.

What are the benefits of participating in FIRST® LEGO® League?

Participating builds STEM skills (engineering, coding, science) and strengthens teamwork, creativity, project planning, research, and public speaking. Kids learn iterative problem solving, time management, and how to handle competition pressure. It boosts confidence, collaboration, and communication while teaching mentor-student relationships and ethical teamwork. Parents find it also encourages persistence and interest in future STEM learning and careers.

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