FIRST® LEGO® League

INFORMATION

For more information or questions, please contact Jeremy Haugen at 605.336.3660 or jhaugen@embe.org.

LOCATIONS

EMBE AVERA DOWNTOWN

300 W. 11th Street Sioux Falls, SD 57104 Phone: 605.336.3660 Fax: 605.336.2238 email: info@embe.org

Engaging Youth in STEM Exploration

FIRST® LEGO® League introduces science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to children ages 6-14 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

FLL-RGB_Explore-horiz-stacked-full-color

In Explore, teams of students ages 6-10 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 WeDo 2.0.

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Friendly competition is at the heart of Challenge, as teams of students ages 9-14 engage in research, problem-solving, coding, and engineering – building and programming a LEGO robot that navigates the missions of a robot game.

2021 - 2022 CHALLENGE & SEASON INFO

This season, CARGO CONNECT teams will explore the future of transportation and re-imagine our global transportation system to explore new ways of improving how we access and deliver needed and desired goods. From the shipment of packages in rural and urban areas to disaster relief delivery and high-tech air transit, teams will re-imagine transportation innovations that better connect and grow communities and economies around the world.

BROCHURE

Click here to download the program brochure

CAMPS

Hands-on STEM learning in a fun camp setting!

Who doesn’t love LEGO? Who doesn’t love Robots? FIRST LEGO League camps at EmBe teach 6 – 14 year-olds (ages vary by camp) STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills in a fun and hands-on camp setting. These camps are the perfect way for kids to start learning more about coding, program and robotics. From multiple day camps in the summer, to one-day camps on no-school days, camps build skills and confidence in kids!

FIRST LEGO League: Mini Robotics Camp

FIRST LEGO League: Mini Robotics Camp
Ages 8-12

Have you ever wanted to learn how to build and program a Mindstorms® EV3 Robot? This Mini Camp is for you! During this camp you will build a LEGO® robot from scratch and learn how to program it to move. Campers receive a snack and camp T-Shirt.

Sioux Falls Camp Date Options:

November 11 – morning and afternoon camps available

Mitchell Camp Date Options:

There are no dates currently scheduled.

Limit 10 campers

Cost: $42.60 – tax included (Scholarships Available)

*** This camp is best suited for students who haven’t built or programmed a LEGO Mindstorms Robot before.

FIRST LEGO League: All Day Mini Robotics Camp

FIRST LEGO League: All Day Mini Robotics Camp
Ages 8-12

During the All Day Mini Robotics Camp you will construct a LEGO Mindstorms® EV3 Robot and dive deeper into robotic sensors and have the robot perform challenges. End the day with swimming at EmBe’s Downtown’s pool. **Please pack a cold lunch, swimsuit and towel.**

Sioux Falls Camp Date Options:

Look for spring dates soon!

Limit 10 campers

Cost: $74.55 – tax included (Scholarships Available)

*** This camp is best suited for students who haven’t built or programmed a LEGO Mindstorms Robot before.

FIRST LEGO League: Challenge Camp

FIRST LEGO League: Challenge Camp
Ages 9 – 13

EmBe offers a 4 day summer camp experience to get kids excited about participating in the League! FIRST LEGO League: Challenge Camp is designed for Boys and Girls ages 9-13. During this camp you will learn the basics of building and programming a Mindstorms EV3 Robot. You will also work as part of a team to research a real world problem, create a solution and present your solution to the other campers. This camp will give you a jump start in getting ready for the next FIRST LEGO League: Challenge competition season!

This camp is held at the downtown EmBe location, from 8:30 am to 12 pm (Mon-Thurs). Each camper received a mid-morning snack each day, and a camp T-Shirt.

Camp Date Options:

There are no dates currently scheduled. Look for these dates in the summer of 2022.

Cost: $133.13 – tax included (Scholarships Available)

*** This camp is best suited for students who haven’t been a part of a FIRST LEGO League team before.

FIRST LEGO League: Advanced Camp

FIRST LEGO League: Advanced Camp

EmBe offers a 1 day summer camp experience to get kids excited about participating in the League! FIRST LEGO League: Advanced Camp is designed for Boys and Girls ages 9-13. During this camp you will expand your knowledge of building and programming Mindstorms EV3 Robots. Dig deep into Sensors. Learn about synchronized programming. Claim the MyBlock as your own!

You can bring your own laptop and robot, or use one of ours.

This camp is held at the downtown EmBe location, from 8:30 am to 12 pm. Each camper received a mid-morning snack each day, and a camp T-Shirt.

Camp Date Options:

There are no dates currently scheduled.

Limit 16 campers

Cost: $58.58 – tax included (Scholarships Available)

** This camp is best suited for those who have completed the FIRST LEGO League: Challenge Camp or have completed a year of FIRST LEGO League: Challenge.

FIRST LEGO League: Explore Camp

FIRST LEGO League: Explore Camp
Ages 6 – 9

Build and program simple LEGO Robots! This camp is designed for Boys and Girls ages 6-9. Fire up your imagination to solve problems. Explore Science and Engineering. Build and program motors and sensors using the LEGO WeDo2.0 set.

This camp is held at the Dress for Success Sioux Falls location (620 W 18th St), from 8:30 am to 12 pm or 1 to 4:30 pm. Each camper receives a snack each day, and a camp T-Shirt.

Camp Date Options:

October 11 – morning and afternoon camps available this day
October 12 – morning camps available this day

Mitchell Camp Date Options:

There are no dates currently scheduled.

Limit 10 campers each camp

Cost: $42.60 – tax included (Scholarships Available)

** This camp is best suited for students who haven’t been a part of a FIRST LEGO League: Explore team before.

VOLUNTEER

We need your help at FIRST LEGO League: Challenge Tournaments and FIRST LEGO League: Explore Festivals!

Developing strong, resilient youth is at the heart of EmBe’s vision of transforming lives. 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.

The South Dakota State Championship will be held on January 22, 2022, at the Augustana Elmen Center.

Dates: December 11 & 18 at Memorial Middle School

Sign up for one date or as many as you can. Volunteers report at 7:30 am and are recognized at the awards at 3:30 – 4:30 pm.

Volunteer needs:
Jobs marked with an “*” require training before the event.

*Referees – help apply the robot game rules in a fair and impartial manner 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 just 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.

Click here to sign up to become a volunteer

FAQ's

FAQ’S REGARDING 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 to project judges, explain their robot design to robot design judges and be judged on their team work by core values judges.

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. 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 Challenge season look like?

May – September, teams form, register and order their materials (robot and Challenge Set from FIRST)
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

FAQ’S REGARDING FIRST LEGO LEAGUE EXPLORE SEASON

What happens at an festival?
A FIRST® LEGO® League Explore fesitval 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 made up of 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 held 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 (robot and Inspire Set from FIRST)
August, The Challenge is released and teams begin to prepare for the qualifying competitions
October, Registration for Festivals opens
December, Festivals

COACHES' RESOURCES

Networking

Registration, Challenge and Game updates

Coach Call Notes and other documents

DropBox

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.