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The FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge season runs from September to January, followed by the state championships.

Each FIRST^® LEGO^® League Challenge team needs:

• Two or more adult coaches willing and motivated to guide the team through the discovery and competition season (and beyond) – no special technical experience is required
• Up to 10 students ages 9 to 14 willing to put in time and do any job the team needs to succeed (There are lots of important jobs available for all skill levels and interests.)
• A suitable meeting place, either public or private, that can accommodate a 4 x 8-foot playing field table, and has internet access
• A standard Challenge Set and a common set of rules issued by FIRST^® and LEGO^®
• A paid team registration, official team number, and a LEGO^® MINDSTORMS^® robot set
• The desire to learn, explore, strategize, build comradery, share ideas and talents, make new friends, be accepted, and HAVE FUN!

Like other team activities, FIRST^® LEGO^® League Challenge has basic ground rules. Failure to abide by these rules could result in ineligibility for awards at a tournament or other consequences deemed necessary by judges, referees, tournament organizers, FIRST^® LEGO^® League Challenge partners, Headquarters, or their designated representatives.

General Rules
Teams, coaches and other supporters must demonstrate the Core Values in their actions and
activities.

Throughout the season, teams need access to the following materials:

• LEGO^® MINDSTORMS^® Robot Set (or other LEGO robot set)
• Computer or tablet with software to program the robot. (Laptop is recommended.)

Throughout the season, teams need access to the following season-specific materials:

• Challenge Set
• Documents from www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge all released in August of the Challenge season year:
  • Mission Model Build Instructions
  • Field Setup Guide
  • Challenge and Challenge Guide

Competition Rules
A competitive team is one playing in a FIRST^® LEGO^® League Challenge official event. These additional rules apply:

• A competitive team consists of a minimum of two and a maximum of 10 youth. Proper adult supervision is required as described in the FIRST^® Youth Protection Policy.
• A team must be registered and fully paid in the national registration system to sign up for official events. Additional event fees may apply.
• Team members are between the minimum and maximum age allowed in their region.
• All work presented at an official event is the work of the youth on the team.
• All team members attending an event are required to participate in the judging session and be present as a team at the Robot Game matches.

Consequences
FIRST^® Washington gives authority to volunteers staffing FIRST^® LEGO^® League Challenge official events to interpret and implement the participation rules, guided by global FIRST^® LEGO^® League Challenge training materials.

• Teams, coaches, and supporters at official events are expected to demonstrate FIRST^® Core Values.
• Individuals interfering with, excessively instructing, prompting, or heckling a team or volunteer may be asked to leave.
• Severe infractions of these rules may result in a team’s dismissal from the event. FIRST^® LEGO^® League Challenge official event volunteers are provided training to identify and respond to these situations [See FIRST Youth Protection Policy (YPP)].
• Individuals and/or teams who fail to abide by the participation rules may be ineligible for awards at a tournament.

The cost to participate ranges from $1,400 for new teams to $850 for returning teams. Your costs may be lower if you are able to get some items donated.

One of the major purchases is a LEGO^® MINDSTORMS^® EV3 Robotics Kit. This kit provides a small programmable LEGO EV3 computer, and enough motors and parts to make a machine. If your team already has access to a kit, you can use that kit and not purchase a new one. Returning teams are able to reuse the kit each year.

Sample Budgets

• Classroom Team Budget 
• After School Team Budget

http://firstlegoleague.org/

FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge teams have 2-10 youth members and two adult coaches. If you have more people wanting to join, the best thing to do is start another team.

Team members are responsible for creating and managing the team. Roles include building, programming, research, and project management.

In general, as a coach, volunteer, or team member you should meet with your team two to three times per week during the build and competition season from September through January; April if you qualify for the World Championship. Two hours per meeting is an adequate time commitment. Additional meeting times are often added before the tournament to finish projects and practice. Like any sport or club, the time you invest in helping your team will add to your team’s success.

The 2022-2023 FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge game is SUPER CHARGED!

Check out the season teaser!

FIRST^® LEGO^® League Challenge Kickoff Materials from the Microsoft Kickoff Event:

• ABC and Fundraising Presentation – Kickoff 2018.pptx
• Coaches Presentation – Kickoff 2018.pdf
• Judging Presentation – FLL Kickoff 2018.pdf
• Programming Workshop – Kickoff 2018.pdf
• Referee Presentation – Kickoff 2018.pdf