FLL - First Lego League
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FLL introduces younger students to real-world engineering challenges by building LEGO-based robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface. FLL teams, guided by their imaginations and adult coaches, discover exciting career possibilities and, through the process, learn to make positive contributions to society.
With more than 27,000 Elementary and Middle School teams FLL is the largest of the FIRST Robotics programs. What FLL teams accomplish is nothing short of amazing. It’s fun. It’s exciting. And the skills they learn will last a lifetime.
2015 World Championship
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The FIRST Championship is the culmination of the season's FIRST programs, bringing together three separate robotics competitions for the ultimate Sport for the Mindâ„¢. The event includes the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Championship, the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) World Championship, and the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) World Festival. Also featured is the Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL) World Festival Expo.
Our high-tech spectator events combine the excitement of sport with science and technology. Join our students as they showcase the results of weeks of intense preparation, competing in thrilling matches and working on their robots in the "Pits."
FIRST Robotics
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"To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders."
FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.
FTC - First Tech Challenge
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FTC is designed for students in High School to compete head to head, using a sports model. Teams are responsible for designing, building, and programming their robots, which must measure under 18" on a side, to compete in an alliance format against other teams. The robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and is programmed using a variety of languages. Teams, including coaches, mentors and volunteers, are required to develop strategy and build robots based on sound engineering principles. Awards are given for the competition as well as for community outreach, design, and other real-world accomplishments.
FIRST Robotics
There is a very nice article by a parenting author about why he likes FIRST Robotics that we think does a great job of summarizing what is great and unique about FIRST and the experience that students get from participating. Skills for life is a great way to think about FIRST!
"As a father of two active boys, I’ve spent countless hours at my sons’ sporting events of one kind or another, both as a spectator and a coach. But this weekend I attended my first high school robotics competition — a FIRST Robotics regional competition in Central Illinois. I was surprised at the similarities between sports and robotics. But I was amazed at the differences. And it left my experience with sports wanting in some very important ways. Athletes, parents, and coaches, take note. THIS is how to prepare kids for life.
The tournament itself was like a combination sporting event, dance contest, NASCAR pit crew competition, costume party, and rock concert all in one! Thirty-nine high school teams came from as far away as Istanbul, Turkey. Each spent the last three months working every day after school and on weekends to design and build their own robots, and then hone their skills to compete in speed and accuracy performing tasks in center court." - March 23, 2015 blog posting by Paul Smith