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RoboCatz.com

FLL Overview


For
Inspiration and
Recognition of
Science and
Technology
It's a competitive sport.
It's a life experience.
It's opportunity.
It's community.
It's amazing.

For students aged 6-18, it's the hardest fun you'll ever have. For team Mentors, Coaches, and Volunteers, it's the most rewarding adventure you'll ever undertake. For Sponsors, it's the most enlightened investment you could ever make.

FIRST is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization devoted to helping young people discover and develop a passion for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Founded more than 20 years ago by inventor Dean Kamen, the 2012-2013 FIRST season attracted more than 300,000 youth and more than 120,000 Mentors, Coaches, and Volunteers from more than 70 countries. The annual programs culminate in an international robotics competition and celebration where teams win recognition, gain self-confidence, develop people and life skills, make new friends, and perhaps discover an unforeseen career path.
Jr.FLL (Jr. FIRST LEGO League)
 Grades: K-3
 Captures young children's inherent curiosity and directs it toward discovering the wonders of science and technology. This program features a real-world scientific concept to be explored through research, teamwork, construction, and imagination. Guided by adult Coaches, teams use LEGO bricks to build a model that moves and develop a Show Me Poster to illustrate their journey.

FLL (FIRST LEGO League)
 Grades: 4-8
 In FLL, children are immersed in real-world science and technology challenges. Teams design their own solution to a current scientific question or problem and build autonomous LEGO robots that perform a series of missions. Through their participation, children develop valuable life skills and discover exciting career possibilities while learning that they can make a positive contribution to society.
FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge)
 Grades: 7-12
 FTC is designed for students who want to compete head to head using a sports model. Teams are responsible for designing, building, and programming their robots to compete on a 12' X 12' field, in an Alliance format, against other teams. Robots are built from a reusable platform and teams can choose from two programming languages. Teams, including Coaches, Mentors, and Volunteers, are required to develop strategy and build robots based on sound engineering principles. Awards are given for the competition, as well as community outreach, design, and other real-world accomplishments.
FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition)
 Grades: 9-12
 Dubbed a varsity Sport for the Mind FRC combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of 10 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team "brand" hone teamwork skills, and build and program a robot to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. It's as close to 'real world' engineering as a student can get. Professional Mentors volunteer their time and talents to guide each team.