INFORMATION
For more information or questions, please contact Gerald Messersmith at
605-800-4249 or gmessersmith@embe.org.
LOCATION
EmBe Avera – Downtown
300 W. 11th St.
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: 605-336-3660
info@embe.org
Engaging Youth in STEM Exploration
FIRST® LEGO® League introduces science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to children in grades 1-9 through fun, exciting hands-on learning. Participants gain real-world problem-solving experiences through a guided, global robotics program, helping today’s students and teachers build a better future together.
Our two divisions inspire youth to experiment and grow their critical thinking, coding, and design skills through hands-on STEM learning and robotics.
FIRST® LEGO® League Divisions
In Explore, teams of students Grades 1-4 focus on the fundamentals of engineering as they explore real-world problems, learn to design, and code, and create unique solutions made with LEGO bricks and powered by LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essentials kit.
Friendly competition is at the heart of Challenge, as teams of students Grades 4-9 engage in research, problem-solving, coding, and engineering – building and programming a LEGO robot that navigates the missions of a robot game.
2023-2024 Season Challenge
The future is yours to create! The official theme is MASTERPIECE℠! Students will learn about the role science, technology, engineering and math play in arts and will imagine and innovate new ways to create and communicate art across the globe.
We need your help!
EmBe is proud to serve the youth in our community by bringing STEM programming through FIRST® LEGO® League. Join the robotics community as we facilitate and inspire STEM exploration. Whatever your skills are, there is a place for you in FIRST. Be part of elementary and middle school students’ success through exciting, interactive learning.
Volunteer needs:
* Require training before the event
- *Referees – Help apply the robot game rules fairly and impartially and score the team missions. Enjoy the high-energy, fun, and exciting environment!
- *Judges & Reviewers – Listen to presentations and thoughtfully question teams to bring out their best. Work closely with other judges and reviewers to determine awards.
- *Emcee – Help make a fun, respectful, and high-energy environment for the robot games. Interview teams, provide color and play-by-play commentary for the robot game, and be fun!
- Miscellaneous – Input scores, check-in teams, help teams be in the right places at the right time, host the volunteer space, and more! We need volunteers of all kinds and have the right job for everyone.
Networking
- South Dakota FIRST Coaches Facebook Group
- FLL Challenge: Share and Learn Facebook Group
- FLL Explore: Share and Learn Facebook Group
Registration, Challenge and Game updates
Coach Call Notes and other documents
Software and Programming Links
Mindstorms EV3 is being retired. It is going out of stock summer of 2021 and will no longer be supported by LEGO Education the summer of 2023. It will remain legal for FLL Challenge completions indefinitely.
- EV3 Support from LEGO Education
- EV3 Mindstorms Software
SPIKE Prime (45678) and its near copy Mindstorms Robot Inventor (51515) are backwards compatible with the following sets.
- StarWars Droid Commander (75253) sold out at LEGO, but might be available other places
- BOOST Creative Toolbox (17101)
Software and Support
Where to buy spare robot Parts? Best sites to order specific parts is BrickLink
FAQS – FIRST® LEGO® LEAGUE CHALLENGE SEASON
What happens at a competition?
A FIRST® LEGO® League competition is a high-energy, exciting event. Teams will have three robot runs in a sports arena-like atmosphere. During a 2.5-minute run, they will have their robot attempt as many missions as possible. They will also have three judged events:
- Presenting their research and innovative solution.
- Explaining their robot design.
- Judged on their teamwork by core values.
Approximate Cost for a First Year Team
- EV3 Robot Set (reuseable each year, purchased through LEGO education) $420
- National Team Registration and Challenge set (Paid to FIRST) $300
- Regional Tournament Registration (Paid to EmBe) $65
- State Championship Registration (Paid to EmBe) $150 – not all teams advance to the State Championship
How do I find/start a team?
EmBe does not create the teams; you do. Teams can be part of school groups, 4-H, community groups, neighborhood groups, church groups, or just a group of friends who want to experience the fun and excitement of FIRST® LEGO® League.
What does the FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge season look like?
- May – September: Teams form, register, and order materials
- August: The challenge is released, and teams begin to prepare for the qualifying competitions
- October: Registration for Regional Qualifiers opens
- December: Regional Qualifiers
- Late January – February: State Championships
FAQS – FIRST® LEGO® LEAGUE EXPLORE SEASON
What happens at a festival?
A FIRST® LEGO® League Explore festival is a highly creative and exciting event. Teams will share what they have learned through the season by talking about their Show Me Poster and themed LEGO construction. Their audience is parents, volunteers, FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge teams, and other FIRST® LEGO® League Explore teams. Explore teams will visit with a Reviewer who will guide the team in talking about their project, their teamwork, and what they have learned. Reviewers will determine which award best matches the achievements of the team. Festivals are alongside FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge competitions, so teams get to share in the fun and exciting atmosphere.
Approximate Cost for a First Year Team
- We-Do 2.0 Robot Set (reuseable each year, purchased through LEGO education) $200
- National Team Registration and Inspire Set (Paid to FIRST) $100
- Expo Registration (Paid to EmBe) $25
How do I find/start a team?
EmBe does not create the teams; you do. Teams can be part of school groups, 4-H, community groups, neighborhood groups, church groups, or just a group of friends who want to experience the fun and excitement of FIRST LEGO League Explore. If you are looking for a team, you can attend one of our information sessions and find like-minded people.
What does the FIRST LEGO League Explore season look like?
- May – September: teams form, register, and order their materials
- August: The challenge is released, and teams begin to prepare for the qualifying competitions
- October: Registration for Festivals opens
- December: Festivals
TESTIMONIALS
