First Lego League

Students in grades 4-8 are given the opportunity to design, build, and program a robot using LEGO bricks, sensors, motors, and gears. This gives the team members hands-on experience in basic engineering and computer programming.

A new challenge is given out every year by FIRST LEGO League International, consisting of several different tasks to be completed by each team's LEGO robot. Each team has two minutes and thirty seconds to make their robot do as many tasks as possible, with each task worth a predetermined number of points. An award is given to the top-scoring team, as well as to teams who excel in other categories.

This year's theme: Keeping Food Safe

Can FIRST LEGO League teams improve the quality of food by finding ways to prevent food contamination?

In the 2011 Food Factor Challenge, over 200,000 9-14 year olds from over 55 countries will explore the topic of food safety and examine the possible points of contamination our food encounters – from exposure to insects and creatures, to unsterile processing and transportation, to unsanitary preparation and storage – then find ways to prevent or combat these contaminates. In the Food Factor Challenge, teams will build, test, and program an autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT to solve a set of Food Safety missions as well as research, develop, and share their innovative food safety solutions. Throughout their experience, teams will operate under FLL’s signature set of Core Values.

FIRST LEGO League is a fast-growing event. As of 2010, there were over 15,000 teams participating in almost 400 FIRST-sanctioned tournaments all over the world. These competitions culminate in the FIRST LEGO League World Festival, held in conjunction with the FIRST Robotics Championship Event in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Georgia Dome.

First Lego League International Site:

www.firstlegoleague.org

About FIRST:
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.

FIRST's mission is to design accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering. Dean Kamen is the founder of FIRST. For more information, videos and pictures, please see the FIRST website.

Connect to FIRST Social Networking Community!

FIRST LEGO League is a fast-growing event.

As of 2008, there were over 11,000 teams participating in almost 500 FIRST-sanctioned tournaments all over the world. These competitions culminate in the FIRST LEGO League World Festival, held in conjunction with the FIRST Robotics Championship Event in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Georgia Dome.

Photos from the 2009 FIRST LEGO LEAGUE WORLD FESTIVAL.