Team Portal

• Each team is asked to supply at least one volunteer for a local area FIRST event.
  
• Each team should rank 3 event choices.
  Although we will have a space for any interested team to participate in a qualifier, be aware that we cannot guarantee a specific weekend or venue.

• Qualifier Registration is open September 15-September 30, 2024
• Qualifier registration will be through the FIRST LEGO League Challenge Team Portal page on the FIRST in Missouri website (www.firstinmissouri.org).  
• After you register, you will receive an invoice via email. Payment options:
  • Provide banking info for electronic check
  • Pay by credit card via a link on the invoice
  • Mail a paper check to: FIRST in Missouri, 12835 Tammy Kay Drive, Saint Louis, MO 63128

Questions about payments should be sent to ar@firstinmissouri.org.

•  Nationally registered Teams (no temporary team numbers) will pay a non-refundable $100 fee and select 3 qualifying event choices (ranked 1-3 with 1 being your first choice event).  
• The Missouri Planning Committee will place teams into 1 Qualifying Event and notify coaches of the event assignment no later than October 30^th. The placement will be determined from the preference list supplied when registering for a Qualifier event.  We will do our best to honor teams’ first or second place preference, but this is NOT guaranteed.
• There are 14 Qualifiers to choose from.  All events are currently planned to be in-person and mask optional.  Remember that these things could change, and your team must follow the rules of the venue at the time of the event.  If required by the venue, due to weather or other circumstances, the event could change from a traditional style event to a parade style event, or to a remote event, or canceled.  Please be flexible and understanding if this happens.
• FIRST in Missouri is a volunteer run organization.  Each team is asked to provide at least one volunteer at a Qualifier.  It can be any Qualifier, not just where the team is competing.  You can volunteer through your dashboard on the www.firstinspires.org website.

FIRST^® LEGO ^® League Challenge Missouri

See calendar below – Qualifiers will be offered in December 2024 and January 2025

• My team can only attend one day; Can I put down that event for all 3 choices?
  • The system will not prevent you from putting the same choice into all 3 choices, but please be aware that this will not guarantee you a placement. If there is not space in that event, then you will be placed in another event that has space.
•  I have multiple school teams coming by bus; they must attend the same qualifier. Can they do so?
  • When registering multiple teams, please indicate the same qualifier ranking for each team. In addition, indicate the teams that need to be placed together in the comment section.
•  I have multiple teams, but I do not want them at the same qualifier. What steps do I take?
  • You may register the teams together, but indicate different preferences for each team, AND indicate in the comments section that teams should be placed at different events.
•  I have not yet received my field kit; should I still register for a qualifier?
  • Yes. Your ‘paid’ National Registration date will be considered when assigning you to your Qualifier. Depending upon the circumstances, your team may be considered for a spot at a later event.
•  I was placed into an event and my team notified me that 50% of the team can’t attend.
  • This is not uncommon! Please bring the team anyway; the experience will be extremely valuable!
•  Can I exchange with another team to go to a different event?
  • No, team-initiated ‘swaps’ will not be honored.
•  I have a parent who wants to Judge, will that be allowed?
  • Yes. A team affiliated adult (parent, coach, mentor) may sign up to volunteer as a Judge for an event that takes place after their team competes.
•  I have a parent who wants to Referee, will that be allowed?
  • Yes. The parent will need to notify the head referee to avoid a conflict of interest.

Events for our region are booked and scheduled in advance. Our policy is that no event is ever rescheduled. Event managers have the authority to cancel an event if their facility determines conditions to be unsafe. This policy would apply to inclement weather or any other public safety issue including a lack of screened volunteers. If an event is not cancelled, it is up to the discretion of the parents and coach to determine if they will attend. No refunds will be given in these situations.

All judging will take place in one 30 minute session. See Judging Session Flowchart

Although creating a Core Value Poster can be an enriching activity, our region does not use it as part of the Judging Session. If you create one, please leave it at your pit area for others to learn about your team

This depends on the venue. Some rooms are very small, so the Tournament Director and Judge Adviser might only allow the team members and one or two coaches into the room.

Some venues will offer teams a prepaid lunch option. Other venues may have a concession stand or cafeteria. Some venues will not allow outside food. Please read your Information Packet for details or contact your Tournament Director

Please read your Information Packet or contact the Tournament Director. Some of the pit areas will be very small and practice mats might not be allowed. If you are allowed to bring a mat, we do ask that it be shared with other teams.

Rubrics will be available to the Lead Coach on the Event Hub, usually within 24 hours of the Awards Ceremony.