Start A Team
It is very easy to get started with FLL Challenge! First, you need to find a group of kids interested in participating. Teams can consist of 2-10 members, ages 9-14. You can form a team from any group of interested kids, after-school programs, neighborhood groups, youth organizations, or just a group of friends.
Next, you need to find two adult coaches. You don’t have to be a scientist or engineer to be a coach! Teachers, parents and technical professionals all make great coaches. The coach’s role is to assist the team in independent learning – not to directly assist the team in the problem-solving process.
Want an easy guide for registration with FIRST? Check out the FIRST Registration Video
Steps to Starting A FLL Challenge Team
-
STEP 1:
Find 2-10 Team Members and 2 Team Coaches
To start a team you will need Team Members to share, innovate, and create their great ideas! Then you will need two coaches to act as guides and enable your team to reach their full potential. Team Members must be between the ages of 9-14 and Coaches must be 18 or older. People with all backgrounds and skillsets are encouraged to join a FLL Challenge Team as a Team Member or Coach and can start with no STEM experience!
Need some coaching resources? Click Here!
-
STEP 2:
Understand Season Budget
There are cost associated with starting and maintaining an FLL Challenge Team. You can take a closer look at all of those costs on our FLL Challenge Budget and Funding Page. If your team can not afford the costs listed, there are grants and fundraising ideas available through FIRST, sponsors and especially through some Iowa based companies. This information can be found through the link listed above.
-
STEP 3:
Complete Team Registration with FIRST
In order to be recognized as an official FLL Challenge Team, your team will need to register with FIRST. Registering your team with FIRST also gives you access to season materials, discounts in their store, and permission to register and compete at an Iowa FLL Challenge event. Register your team with FIRST.
-
STEP 4:
Learn and Understand The Season Challenge
Each year FIRST releases a new challenge based around a STEM-related problem or topic. Challenges are released in early August and start with a kick-off video explaining the challenge. These challenges come with associated tasks such as the Robot Game Missions, Robot Design Presentation, and an Innovation Project Presentation. To learn more about this year’s challenge and get related resources view our FLL Challenge Season Challenge.
-
STEP 5:
Register For an Iowa FLL Challenge Event
Your team can show off all their handwork and creativity at an Iowa FLL Challenge Qualifier Event. These events usually occur all over Iowa with a finalized list that is released in October generally. In order to participate in one of these events, your team needs to complete event registration with Iowa FLL. To learn more about registration and deadlines to register, view our Iowa FLL Challenge Event Registration. Through these events, a percentage of teams qualify for the Iowa FLL Challenge Championship held in January.
-
STEP 6:
Register to Receive FLL Challenge Team Blasts
We try to keep in touch and provide helpful information to our team throughout the season. We do so mainly through our FLL Challenge Team Blasts. Click the link to register for our FLL Challenge Team Blasts.
-
STEP 7:
Prepare for your event!
Once all of your registration is completed your team can focus on their robot, innovative project, and working as team in order to get ready for their event. If you are interested in learning more about what an event will look like, view our FLL Challenge Events Page.