Explore Robotics Programs for Every Age!
FIRST® robotics programs deliver hands-on STEM education to schools, afterschool programs, and community learning spaces. Each program offers fun, age-appropriate challenges tied to a yearly theme to help build STEM interest and adaptable skills, preparing students for STEM careers and leadership in a tech-driven world.
Children can join any of our three programs based on age or grade level. Ages may vary by region.
FIRST® LEGO® League Explore!
Grades K - 8
FIRST® LEGO® League Explore is an exciting opportunity for the youngest budding scientists. It encompasses the core concepts of all FIRST® programs to inspire, excite, and introduce kids to the wonders of science, technology, and engineering.
FIRST® LEGO® League Explore!
What do I need to start a Team?
2 adult coaches minimum of 2, maximum of 6 children between the ages of 6 to 10. Children can only be on one team. register, order materials, and pay for your team on the FIRST® HQ website, set up team meetings, register, and participate in an official Festival
FIRST® LEGO® Registation Proces
What is the Team Registration Process?
Team Registration is handled through the dashboard on the FIRST® HQ website One coach registers the team, but each coach will need to make their own FIRST® account. Organizations with site coordinators (Team Administrator) can register the team(s), then invite coaches to join the team. Coaches complete the required screening and agree to the Youth Protection Program rules. Purchaser/coach pays registration fee and for materials ordered. The Official Team number is issued once registration payment is received.
FIRST® LEGO® Grants and Team Resources
What grants and team resources are available for starting a team?
*New* Funding opportunity for Teachers in the U.S. Partial funding for FIRST® LEGO® League Explore team materials is available to U.S. public and charter school teachers, thanks to NewsCorp & DonorsChoose.org. Teachers can receive funding for LEGO® Education SPIKE Essential robot kits and LEGO® building sets from LEGO Education!
FIRST® LEGO® Learn More
What grants and team resources are available for starting a team?
*New* Funding opportunity for Teachers in the U.S. Partial funding for FIRST® LEGO® League Explore team materials is available to U.S. public and charter school teachers, thanks to NewsCorp & DonorsChoose.org. Teachers can receive funding for LEGO® Education SPIKE Essential robot kits and LEGO® building sets from LEGO Education!
FIRST® Tech Challenge!
Grades 7 - 12
FIRST® in Missouri supports all Missouri and Kansas FIRST® Tech Challenge teams.
FIRST®Tech Challenge teams (up to 15 members) are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to play a floor game in an alliance format. Participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have!”
FIRST® Tech Challenge Skills
Do I need special skills
Student and adult team members are encouraged to bring any skills they already have, like programming, electronics, metalworking, graphic design, web creation, public speaking, videography, and many more. FIRST Tech Challenge welcomes every student, with or without special skills.
FIRST® LEGO® FAQ's
What grants and team resources are available for starting a team?
*New* Funding opportunity for Teachers in the U.S. Partial funding for FIRST® LEGO® League Explore team materials is available to U.S. public and charter school teachers, thanks to NewsCorp & DonorsChoose.org. Teachers can receive funding for LEGO® Education SPIKE Essential robot kits and LEGO® building sets from LEGO Education!
First® Robotics Competition!
Grades 9 - 12
Combining the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology, FIRST® Robotics Competition is an exciting robotics-based competition that teams engineering professionals and high-school students to solve real-world engineering problems in fun, rewarding, and inspiring ways.
FIRST® Robotics Competition
What do I need to start a Team?
To register as a FIRST Robotics Competition Team, the team’s lead coach or coordinator will need to create an individual coach profile and a team profile on the FIRST Headquarters website. Registering your team’s information makes you a part of the huge FIRST Robotics Competition community. You’ll begin receiving communications from FIRST, along with a temporary team number in preparation for event registration in early October.
FIRST® Tech Challenge Skills
What are the cost to participate?
There are costs involved with forming a FIRST Robotics Competition team and they can vary from team to team. The annual fees for team registration, event registration and the robot kit of parts, and event participation are $5,000 – $6,000. Additional costs for travel, food, team shirts and other optional items will vary by team. However, there are never any “per student” registration fees to participate only the annual team registration fee.
FIRST® LEGO® FAQ's
What grants and team resources are available for starting a team?
FIRST believes that no team that wants to participate should have to bow out due to lack of resources. We will do everything possible to make resources available to all teams who need extra help. FIRST offers many fundraising opportunities and teams are encouraged to create their own. Grants are also available, as well as sponsorships provided locally, regionally and nationally by many corporations.