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Welcome to FIRST® LEGO® League Explore!

For Grades 2-4

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.

  • Teaches the benefits of teamwork
  • Sparks initial interest in science and technology
  • Introduces basic design skills through a hands-on approach with the familiarity and fun of LEGO building
  • Provides a culture of sharing and learning from others

The goal is to provide an experience that will capture young children’s inherent curiosity and creativity and direct it toward discovering the possibilities of improving the world around them through understanding, thought, planning, and technology.

Click on the FAQs below to find out more.

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FIRST® LEGO® League Explore Program Basics

It’s true, children construct new knowledge best when they are constructing something real. The FIRST® LEGO® League Explore program does that every year with a new and exciting Challenge to ignite the creativity of children age 6 to 10 .

Each team of up to 6 children begins the exploration of this real-world theme with an exclusive LEGO® Education Inspire Model. Using this model as a starting point, they design a new model of their own with LEGO® elements. As they work, they learn basic engineering and programming skills with LEGO® Spike Essentials and apply those concepts to make their model move. Teams also document their work in an Engineering Notebook and share their journey through a team Show Me Poster.

Throughout their experience, teams operate under the FIRST® LEGO® League Explore Core Values, celebrating the FIRST philosophies of Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition®. The season concludes by participating in a super fun, non-competitive official Festival which publicly acknowledges and applauds the accomplishments of each team!

How do I get my child on a team?

As a rule, FIRST, including FIRST® LEGO® League Explore in Eastern Missouri, does not place children on teams.

Also, for privacy reasons, we are not able to share lists of team contact information.

Any group can create a team: schools, home schools, community groups, churches, or just some friends who wish to do something awesome. Adults do not need any technical experience to coach a team.

How can schools or youth organizations participate?

Contact us!
We have many easy options that will let you bring the FIRST® LEGO® League Explore program to your students.
Use the form in the side bar to let us know who you are and we’ll be in touch. You’ll be surprised how simple and rewarding it is to bring this inspiring program to your school or organization.

What does it cost?

Cost breakout is by team, not individual child

Breakout details can be found on the FIRST HQ website Registration Options  )

FIRST in Missouri Official Festival fee is $50.

What is the time commitment?
The FIRST® LEGO® League Explore team registration opens in May.

The season challenge details are released in early August.

Official Festivals occur on select weekends in February and March (attend only one).

Meeting times vary by team, but generally a team can complete the challenge in 12 facilitated sessions provided in the Team Meeting Guide and Engineering Notebook. New teams may want to hold more meetings to introduce basic engineering and programming sessions. Teams may also include field trips as a part of their challenge research.

What is an Official Festival?

We have fun!

Official Festivals, held on select weekends in February and March, are a non-competitive 2-3 hour event which offer students an amazing experience as they celebrate their hard work, make new friendships, and are exposed to ideas and ideology that will enhance their lives for decades to come.

Our Festivals begin with teams presenting their challenge research, Show Me board and LEGO model to FIRST® LEGO® League Explore reviewers. Presentations wrap up with a short question and answer period.

The all team portion of the Festival follows with team building and STEM activities. Finally, the event concludes with a super fun, high energy awards and closing ceremony. In FIRST® LEGO® League Explore, everyone is a winner!

Start a Team

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
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.
    Official Team number is issued once registration payment is received.
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!
Learn more.

FIRST LEGO LEAGUE EXPLORE EVENTS

Enter the Team Portal

FIRST LEGO League Explore

Team Member

“I was really surprised that I could make LEGO [bricks] move.
That was my favorite part.”

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Have a question or a comment? We want to hear from you.

Fill out the form below, and let us know. Thank you!

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