When learning becomes fun, STEAMS becomes a sport for the mind. All skill levels are needed, technical and non-technical alike. Form a team, collaborate, obtain a kit, and together, with limited resources and competition constraints, design and build a robot, and flabbergast the entire world. This is the “hardest fun you’ll ever have”, make it count.
Grades K – 4 (ages 6 – 10): FIRST LEGO League Jr.
FIRST LEGO League Jr. is designed for kids ages 6 to 10, as early introduction to STEAMS has proven impact. Using LEGO kits, kids can explore real-world scientific concept, build a motorized model and develop a poster illustrating their journey of discovery.
Grades 4 – 8 (ages 9 – 14): FIRST LEGO League
Tomorrow’s innovators practice imaginative thinking and teamwork. Teams up to 10 members guided by two or more adult Coaches, research real-world problems such as food safety, recycling, energy, etc., and design an innovative solution. They design, build, and program an autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS, then compete on a table-top playing field.
Grades 7 – 12 (ages 12 – 18): FIRST Tech Challenge
It’s way more than building robots. 10+ membered teams are challenged to design, build, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format. Guided by adult coaches and mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles, while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and sharing ideas.
Grades 9 – 12 (ages 14 – 18): FIRST Robotics Competition
Under strict rules, limited resources, and an intense six-week time limit, teams of students are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game against like-minded competitors. It’s as close to real-world engineering as a student can get.
To participate in the FIRST Robotics Competition, all you need is desire to learn, explore, strategize, build comradery, share ideas, talents, readiness to have fun. Along with 2 mentors, form a group of 10 or more students. Find a suitable meeting place and using the provided kit, build and industrial-sized robot. This is a fun way to develop skills like programming, electronics, metalwork, graphic design, web creation, public speaking, videography, and many more.
Read more about FIRST programs at https://www.firstinspires.org/