FAQ

The purpose of the FIRST® Youth Protection Program (FIRST® YPP) is to provide Coaches, Mentors, Volunteers, employees, others working in FIRST® programs, team members, parents, and guardians of team members with information, guidelines, and procedures to create safe environments for everyone participating in FIRST® programs.

The FIRST® YPP sets minimum standards recommended for all FIRST® activities. Adults working in FIRST® programs must be knowledgeable of the standards set by the FIRST® YPP, as well as those set by the school or organization hosting their team.

FIRST® expects all teams in the United States and Canada to adhere to all provisions of the FIRST® YPP.

The best thing about all FIRST® programs is that all skill levels are welcome – technical and nontechnical. Teams need all kinds of skills and creativity to succeed. What are you good at? Chances are we have a job for you. You’ll probably learn a few new ones while you’re with us!

The most successful coaches are people with at least an interest in science and technology, and in helping, kids discover and learn. We can’t emphasize enough, though, that no special technical skills are required. Anyone who wants to be a coach will receive all the training and help they need.

FIRST® Washington welcomes every student and mentor, with or without special skills. Youth team members are encouraged to bring any skills or interests they already have, but most importantly a desire to learn and solve problems as a team.

As our coaches often say, “This is the only sport where if you show up, you can play.”

Anyone with an interest in changing lives through STEM can start a team – educators, parents, anyone with the time and motivation. Most teams in Washington are school-based. Others are formed through community organizations such as 4-H, YMCA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs, homeschool groups, religious organizations, and even neighborhood groups of friends. If you want to start a school-based team, contact a teacher or administrator to get started.

Teachers, parents, and technology professionals all make excellent coaches. The coach must be 18 years or older and should have the desire to explore side-by-side with students and have good communication, prioritizing, and multitasking skills. The coach’s role is to facilitate instruction and optimize the learning experience of the team members by allowing independent thought.

Coaches handle all the operational details: where and when to meet, organizing help for snacks, team costumes, etc. Coaches do not need technical expertise but should be willing to acquire some basic knowledge of the program.

Mentors are individuals from all backgrounds and disciplines who work with students to share their knowledge and guide them through the season. Many Mentors contribute on a weekly basis during the program season or support the team with subject matter expertise on an as-needed basis.

The 2022-2023 FIRST® LEGO® League Explore challenge is SUPER POWERED!

Check out the season teaser video!

The FIRST® LEGO® League Explore program is designed for young people in 2 – 4 grades.

Festivals are available to all FIRST® LEGO® League Explore teams registered with FIRST® Washington to showcase their projects for the current season. A typical event will last approximately 2-3 hours and are often held in conjunction with FIRST® LEGO® League, or FIRST® Robotics Competition events across the state. FIRST® LEGO® League Explore teams must pay FIRST® Washington a registration fee, which includes team registration and attendance at one Festival, which must be paid at least a week prior to your event.

Registration Note: Each team that registers for an event will be sent an invoice. This must be paid at least a week prior to your event. Payment using the invoice can be made with a credit card. If you need to send a check or purchase order, contact accounting@firstwa.org.

To find the current schedule of Festivals, go to the Events Calendar and search for “FLL Explore”

Due to the non-competitive nature of FIRST® LEGO® League Explore Festivals, there are no awards to compete for. We like to celebrate every team and team member’s achievements!

Teams are able to talk with reviewers at any Festival they attend about what they have done. This helps the youth get comfortable with presenting their ideas to adults in the future!

Washington State has around 200 FIRST® LEGO® League Explore teams each year. Teams are formed in schools, community organizations, and neighborhoods. They can be formed by any interested adult willing to facilitate team logistics.

Within Washington, many FIRST® LEGO® League Explore teams are formed through schools, so the first place to look for opportunities to join a team is with your child’s school. Generally, the school-based teams are open only to students attending that institution because interest often exceeds capacity. If your child’s school does not currently have a team, you may want to work with a teacher or administrator there to help form a team within the school.

Other Washington teams are formed through community organizations such as 4-H, YMCA, Scouts, or Boys & Girls Clubs. Generally, this is only one of many activities that the organization facilitates for its members, but if your child is interested in one of these organizations overall, this might be an avenue to pursue in your local area.

The remaining teams in Washington are formed through homeschool groups, religious organizations, or neighborhood groups of friends. While these groups are not specifically closed to other students, they do not usually engage in recruiting members.

Since finding an opportunity with an existing team may be difficult, many experienced coaches and parents advise families new to the program to start their own team. The benefits to your child and for those who have an opportunity to participate are well worth the effort. If you need additional resources or encouragement, contact us at FIRST® Washington.

The FIRST® LEGO® League Explore season opens in May, but teams can register throughout the year. Teams typically meet for 6-10 weeks and then participate in a FIRST® LEGO® League Explore Festival hosted by FIRST® Washington or hold their own in their local community.

We express the FIRST® philosophies of Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition through our Core Values:

• Discovery: We explore new skills and ideas.
• Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
• Impact: We apply what we learn to improve our world.
• Inclusion: We respect each other and embrace our differences.
• Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together.
• Fun: We enjoy and celebrate what we do!

Invoices for the FIRST® LEGO® Explore season are emailed to the team lead coach or team administrator upon registration in May. You may pay by check, purchase order, or credit card. If you pay by credit card, please use the payment link on your emailed invoice.

Absolutely, the best way to join a FIRST® LEGO® League Explore program is to start your own team. Ask administers of your school or organization if there is a team, if not find a teacher or other coach suitable to guide the students through the program. Inform your administer that FIRST® is a collaborative partnership with private industry professionals and educators to inspire youths towards STEM.

If there is no school-based team near you, consider looking within youth-based organizations near you.

Each FIRST® LEGO® League Explore team needs:

• Two or more adult coaches willing and motivated to guide the team through the discovery and exhibition season – no special technical experience is required
• Up to six students ages 6 to 10 willing to put in the time (usually one or two days) per week
• A suitable meeting place, either public or private, that can accommodate the group and has internet access
• A LEGO® Education WeDo 2.0 to build and program
• The desire to learn, explore, strategize, build camaraderie, share ideas and talents, make new friends, be accepted, and HAVE FUN!

Festivals are non-competitive. There is not a game and children do not compete for specific awards.

FIRST® LEGO® League Jr. Expo events operate under the FIRST® Core Values:

• Discovery: We explore new skills and ideas.
• Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
• Impact: We apply what we learn to improve our world.
• Inclusion: We respect each other and embrace our differences.
• Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together.
• Fun: We enjoy and celebrate what we do!

Here are some basic cost parameters for teams:

FIRST® offers many fundraising opportunities and teams are encouraged to create their own.

FIRST® believes that no team that wants to participate should have to decline due to a lack of resources. We will do everything possible to make funds available to all teams who need extra help.

FLL Explore 2019-2020 Sample Budget

Every year, FIRST® LEGO® League Explore works with experts in the field to create a Challenge that relates to an important real-world issue. The end result of the design process is a Challenge with two defined parts – the Show Me Poster and the Model.

Show Me Poster
The Show Me Poster requires teams to illustrate their research and team journey. It provides an opportunity for them to share what they studied, what they learned, and to show information about the team and each team member.

• Create a Show Me Poster using a flat poster board or tri-fold presentation board.
• Use words, drawings, photos, and small objects to tell about what they have learned during their Challenge research.
• Show where they hunted for answers and describe the people they spoke with on their journey.
• Describe their Model.
• Talk about the team itself.

Model
The Model gets teams moving! Teams build a representation of what they are researching, based on the Challenge.

• Design a Model made of LEGO® parts. Teams are provided with the Inspire Set, which was created just for FIRST® LEGO® League Explore teams. It contains 700+ LEGO® elements, including those needed to build the exclusive Inspire Model.
• Teams must use LEGO® Education WeDo 2.0, WeDO or SPIKE Essentials to build and program
• Use your imagination as you design and build. Be creative!

FIRST® LEGO® League Explore teams have up to six students in grades 2-4, and two coaches who are 18 years or older. If you have more students wanting to join, you can always start another team for them!

Youths are responsible for researching the given challenge and creating a solution for it. The coaches and mentors are there to guide them and organize logistics for the team.

In general, as a coach, volunteer, or team member you should meet with your team one to two times per week during the build and Festival season from August through May. Like any sport or club, the time you invest in helping your team will add to your team’s success.

A suitable meeting place, either public or private, that can accommodate the group and has internet access.

Some examples-

• School Classroom
• Library
• Cafeteria
• Garage
• Dining Room

Registration opens in May, and information about the FIRST® LEGO® League Explore season challenge is released in early August. The discovery and project season runs from August through May, and Festival season runs October through June. Festivals are non-competitive events that allow teams the chance to show off what they have learned. Some teams may receive invitations to the FIRST® LEGO® League Explore World Festival at the end of April.

https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/fll/game-and-season