About FLL
Watch the 2007 tournament video. (3.7MB)FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is a result of an exciting alliance between FIRST and the LEGO Company. Guided by adult mentors and their own imaginations, FLL students solve real-world engineering challenges, develop important life skills, and learn to make positive contributions to society. FLL provides students age 9-14 with an opportunity to challenge their math and science skills in an internationally recognized competitive environment. FLL combines a hands-on, interactive robotics program with a sports-like atmosphere. Teams of up to 10 players focus on team building, problem solving, creativity, and analytical thinking to develop a well thought out solution to a problem currently facing the world - the Challenge.
Each September, a new Challenge is unveiled to FLL teams across the world. Over the ensuing 8 weeks, the teams strategize, design, build, program, test and refine a fully autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMSTM technology. The robots are capable of completing various challenge missions in a "Robot Game". The teams also search the Web, talk to scientists, visit the library and develop compelling presentations based on the FLL "Research Assignment", which relates to the problem identified in the Challenge. In addition to the challenge, the teams are evaluated in two other areas; Teamwork and Robot Design.
The 2008 FLL Challenge
Climate Connections – Building a Global Game Plan
Embark on an exploration of the earth’s climate in the FIRST LEGO League’s 2008 Climate Connections Challenge! Discover the links between science, people, resources and communities. Unearth how we learn about past climates and delve into questions surrounding our current and future climatic conditions. Join FIRST LEGO League teams in creating a global game plan as they make these Climate Connections!
This challenge is designed to get the kids to:
- Participate intelligently in discussions surrounding the climate
- Unite people and resources in a common direction
- Decide a course of action
2008 VA/DC FLL Schedule
Regional qualifying tournaments will be held across Virginia and DC during the weekends of November 8th and November 15th. The Championship Tournament will be held at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia during the weekend of December 6th and 7th. To participate in the Championship Tournament, teams must qualify to advance at a VA/DC FLL regional qualifying tournament. As details regarding location and specific tournament dates become available, they will be posted on this site.
Team registration for FIRST LEGO League began on May 1st and will close in September when all slots are filled. Please note that teams register with and order their materials directly from FIRST. Field set-up kits will begin to ship in early August and the details of the Climate Connections challenge will be released internationally on September 5th.
To participate in a qualifying regional tournament, teams must complete a separate tournament registration process that will be available on this website. Registration for Virginia and DC's regional qualifying tournaments will began on October 1st and will close on October 15th. Registration is open only to Virginia and DC teams.
There are a number of exciting summer camps and activities that are related to LEGO robotics or general robotics, but are not sponsored by VA/DC FLL. As more opportunities in the region are brought to our attention, they will be added to the list. If you have questions about any of these events, please direct them to the listed contact point
FLL Challenge History
More information about previous FLL challenges is available on the FLL website.
