first lego league

FIRST® LEGO® League 2022-23 Championship Recap

Melissa Carter2023-03-20T15:16:24-05:00

All season, youth involved in FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) have worked together to create, code, and compete to advance to the final FLL Championship, which took place earlier this month at Augustana University’s campus in Sioux Falls, SD. Teams traveled across South Dakota, North Sioux City to Rapid City, and many cities and small towns in between, to compete and showcase their complex robots. Teams were judged based on their innovation project, presentation skills, robot design, and core values. Our 2022-23 Season Challenge was a SUPERPOWERED℠ theme and had teams creating an innovation project that included a real-world solution utilizing renewable energy. [...]

FIRST® LEGO® League 2022-23 Championship RecapMelissa Carter2023-03-20T15:16:24-05:00

Donor Spotlight: Dr. Drew Alton

Melissa Carter2021-09-01T09:44:38-05:00

The world is watching as NASA’s Perseverance Rover makes its way to Jerezro Crater on planet Mars to hunt for prehistoric fossils in the next six months. For local professor and FIRST LEGO League (FLL) volunteer Dr. Drew Alton, the mission fuels his passion to bring science, technology, engineering and math to kids across South Dakota as a volunteer and as a program collaborator. “I want them to say, ‘I could be part of that mission,’” Dr. Alton said. “It’s exactly what FLL is all about.” Dr. Alton, a professor of physics at Augustana University, has been volunteering for the [...]

Donor Spotlight: Dr. Drew AltonMelissa Carter2021-09-01T09:44:38-05:00

FIRST LEGO League Teams Compete Internationally

Allison Sinning2019-06-04T09:31:07-05:00

The Fantastic Five at the World Festival The Fantastic Five traveled to the FIRST® Championship and World Festival in Detroit. Arriving on April 24th, the teams witnessed the latest science and technology on display. "The Innovation Fair was cool. We got to hold a de-cellularized human heart, learn about deep brain stimulation, and have a conversation with a robot that could read team t-shirts." One of their favorite parts of the weekend was interacting with other teams. "The team from Denmark was so friendly and nice. They showed and explained all of their code to us and invited us to [...]

FIRST LEGO League Teams Compete InternationallyAllison Sinning2019-06-04T09:31:07-05:00

FIRST® LEGO® League building Fun in 2019-2020 season

Allison Sinning2019-05-06T08:34:24-05:00

The FIRST® LEGO® League and FIRST® LEGO® League Junior Themes have been released. Registration is now open! Register Here At the FIRST World Festival in Houston, TX, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and LEGO Education released the themes for the 2019-2020 FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Lego League Junior seasons. The new theme for FLL is called City Shaper. Logo for FLL Season City Shaper Images released show that the theme is focused on Urban Planning and Architecture. For the first time ever, a LEGO designer specializing in their architectural building line was [...]

FIRST® LEGO® League building Fun in 2019-2020 seasonAllison Sinning2019-05-06T08:34:24-05:00

FIRST® LEGO® League Teams Prepare for International Competition

Allison Sinning2019-03-07T10:18:50-06:00

The competition season for FIRST® LEGO® League is over. Over 440 area students competed during the 2018-2019 INTO-ORBIT season in this dynamic STEM program that is a signature program of EmBe. They built and programmed their robot to complete missions. They researched and presented their innovative solution. They received their medals and trophies. They danced and had fun. However, most of those 66 teams have now finished their season. However, we do have a few exceptions! When Life Gives You Llamas 2019 FLL Into-Orbit 1st Place ChampionsTeam #4713 When Life Gives you Llamas Team #4713 When Life Gives [...]

FIRST® LEGO® League Teams Prepare for International CompetitionAllison Sinning2019-03-07T10:18:50-06:00

LEGOS and Bib #1

Melissa Carter2019-04-24T16:26:43-05:00

Like good South Dakotans, we have been leaning into the wind, continuing our work and play through the drifts and flows of our snowy landscape. Although I enjoy the winter’s beauty, I also noticed some signs of spring in the activities of our staff and our wonderful volunteers. One of the best signs of spring? We’ve opened registration for our summer camp programs, most with multiple sessions. Our camps range from babysitting to an introduction to FIRST® Lego® League, from Camp Changemaker to Leadership Camp for Middle School Girls. The first camp is scheduled for May, so be sure to [...]

LEGOS and Bib #1Melissa Carter2019-04-24T16:26:43-05:00

FIRST LEGO League Makes Technology Accessible and Fun

Melissa Carter2019-03-04T13:54:20-06:00

FIRST: For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology As part of leading EmBe, I get to experience the impactful programs that fulfill our mission firsthand. Early on Saturday, February 2nd, I had my first taste of the state competition for FIRST® LEGO® League. The combination of robots, funny hats and coopertition© brought teams from across the state to Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The numbers tell a huge impact story: 30 communities, 149 coaches, 447 students, and dozens of volunteers came together to demonstrate their mastery of technology and gracious professionalism. The purpose of FIRST LEGO League The [...]

FIRST LEGO League Makes Technology Accessible and FunMelissa Carter2019-03-04T13:54:20-06:00

After School Day at the Capitol

Melissa Carter2019-02-11T08:32:11-06:00

The South Dakota School-Age Care Alliance and South Dakota Afterschool Network hosted Afterschool Day at the Capitol on February 6. As part of the program, the FIRST LEGO League First Place Champion traveled to Pierre to share their presentation and talk to our legislators. The team When Life Gives You Llamas from O’Gorman Junior High School in Sioux Falls, SD, presented to the Democratic Caucus and was part of the recognition of FIRST LEGO League on the floor of the House. It is an incredible honor, as well as a powerful example of STEM programming, team building, and gracious professionalism. [...]

After School Day at the CapitolMelissa Carter2019-02-11T08:32:11-06:00