Ages 6 – 10

Focused on building an interest in science and engineering in children ages 6-10, FIRST® LEGO® League Explore is a hands-on program designed to capture young children’s curiosity and direct it toward discovering how science and technology impact the world around them. This program features a real-world challenge, to be explored through research, critical thinking and imagination. Guided by adult coaches and the FIRST LEGO League Explore Core Values, team members work with LEGO elements and motorized parts to build ideas and concepts and present them for review.

The culmination of the hard work for many teams is the participation at a FIRST LEGO League Explore Festival. Volunteer Reviewers at the event interview the teams to learn about their LEGO Model and Show Me poster. All the teams are celebrated and all teams leave with an award. While participation at an Festival is not a requirement, teams are encouraged to attend one. Teams can also show off their work on the Online Showcase.

The FIRST Core Values

We express the FIRST® philosophies of Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition® through our Core Values:

  • DiscoveryWe explore new skills and ideas.
  • InnovationWe use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
  • ImpactWe apply what we learn to improve our world.
  • InclusionWe respect each other and embrace our differences.
  • TeamworkWe are stronger when we work together.
  • FunWe enjoy and celebrate what we do!

How does it work?

Every year, FIRST® LEGO® League Explore works with experts in the field to create a Challenge that relates to an important real world issue. The end result of the design process is a Challenge with two defined parts – the Show Me Poster and the Model. The Core Values represent how a team accomplishes their goals.

Show Me Poster

The Show Me Poster requires teams to illustrate their research and team journey. It provides an opportunity for them to share what they studied, what they learned, and to show information about the team and each team member.

Teams…

  • Create a Show Me Poster using a flat poster board or tri-fold presentation board.
  • Use words, drawings, photos, and small objects to tell about what they have learned during their Challenge research.
  • Show where they hunted for answers and describe the people they spoke with on their journey.
  • Describe their Model and simple machine.
  • Tell about the team itself.
Model

The Model gets teams moving! Teams build a representation of what they are researching, based off the Challenge, and incorporate simple machines and movement into their creation.

Teams…

  • Create a Model that fits within a 30” x 15” footprint.
  • Design a Model made of LEGO® parts. Typically, a team of six will use 400 to 1,000 LEGO parts during the season.
  • Must have at least one motorized piece on the Model using LEGO WeDo 2.0 or SPIKE Essential.
  • Create a simple machine using LEGO ramps, levers, pulleys, gears, wheels and axles, screws, or wedges and incorporates this into their model.
  • Specific information is available when the Challenge is released.

Hands-on Learning

Start a Team

Participating in FIRST LEGO League Explore is an amazing experience for both the kids and the adults involved. With your guidance, the children on your team are going to inspire you, and those around you, in surprising ways. If you have no technical background, don’t be nervous. The team members are the ones who do the work. You only need to ask the questions and watch them… GO!

FIRST LEGO League Explore is a celebration! Coaches help other coaches. Teams help other teams. We want everyone who participates – team member, coach, or event volunteer – to have a fulfilling experience. That’s the reason FIRST built FIRST LEGO League Explore upon a set of Core Values that guides everything we do.

The following steps will give you an idea of what coaching an FIRST LEGO League Explore team is all about.  The FIRST LEGO League Explore season is approximately 8-10 weeks, and can be started at any time during the standard season (August to April).   We recommend that teams identify a Festival they wish to attend and start their seasons about 8-10 weeks before that Festival.

How much does it cost?

$0
Average Cost for a New Team
$0
Average Cost for a Returning Team

Season Timeline

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Start of Team Registration

May: National Registration Opens

National Registration opens for the Season.

Mid August: Season Information Released

CVR will release all season information to Central California teams.  This includes festival dates, updates on required actions for teams, training sessions, and more.

August: Challenge Release

FIRST will release the Challenge to all teams.  This includes all model, show-me-poster information, and team expectations for the season.  Check the CVR website to get the materials.
Season Begins

Early September: Regional Kickoff

Central Valley Robotics will host its annual Kickoff to help jumpstart the season.  Date, venue, and topics covered will be revealed when the CVR Season Information is released in August.

Early October: Team Materials Due and Registration Opens

Registration will open for teams through MyCVR.  Only teams that have submitted all required forms will be able to register.  All spots are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. More information about the Required Forms is available in the Season Manual for Coaches.
Expo Season Begins

November - April: Official Festival Events

Official Festivals are held on weekends in November to April.  More details regarding event locations can be found on the Expos page.

April: National Registration Closes

National registration will close in April.

Steps for Starting a Team

Team Grants

This page lists the available Grants and other financial aid opportunities for our FIRST LEGO League program, if any are available.   Click the entires below to learn more!

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2023 Challenge:
MASTERPIECE

Lights, camera, STEAM! Science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) inspire big ideas, bold action – and creativity. Our skills make it possible to create art and experiences that bring us together, entertain us, and move us. During our 2023-2024 arts-inspired robotics season, FIRST® IN SHOWSM presented by Qualcomm, we will celebrate the roles our STEM skills play in the arts and design and build a world of endless possibilities. The future is yours to create.

Official Festivals

Register Using MyCVR

2023 Official Events

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Regional Team Status List

Below is a list of teams and team status for teams in the Central California Area.

This information was accurate at the time this page was loaded.  To see new data, please refresh this page in your browser.

Number Name Location Organization Registered in MyCVR? Team Status Events Registered Championship
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