FLL (FIRST LEGO League) Teams

Overview of FLL season

http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/fll

May – September: Registration OpenAugust 27: Challenge Announced

September – November: Build & Research

November – January: Tournament Season

January – March: Submission to Global Innovation Award competition (Optional). For more information, visit the FLL Global Innovation website

April: World Festival at FIRST Championship

Check the FIRST in Michigan Website frequently for specific dates, which are currently TBD.
Teams do not have to attend a tournament to participate in the Global Innovation Award competition.

Where to Register an FLL Team and Order Start-up Items

Registration

As described in the Youth Protection Program documentation, your team needs two mentors to be registered as the leaders of your team. One of those mentors will act as the primary contact and will be in charge of registration and your team roster, in addition to other team duties.

Go to the FLL Team Information Management System (TIMS) site
Set up an account for your team
Follow the online guide

Registration will close when all slots are filled. This usually happens sometime after mid-September. Please note that FLL Materials (Robot Set and Field Setup Kit) must be ordered by this deadline, but are subject to product availability. Also, please be aware that beginning this year and for subsequent years, there will be no team registration materials shipped. Registration materials will be electronic and can be found on the FLL Resource Page.

Important Registration Information

Please take the time to read the Important Registration Information section on the FLL ‘Start a Team’ page. This information will assist you with registration, ordering, and the event processes. Teams should visit the FLL Coach/Team Resource page where they can download team registration information and tools, such as the Coaches’ Handbook. The Mission Model building instructions are posted online in August.

Orders for Field Setup Kits, Robots, and Robot Accessories

All teams must pay for their team registration and have two screened coaches before they can order materials. Materials are ordered directly from LEGO Education. A link will be provided to LEGO Education's website once the team meets the above criteria.

Events

The FLL team registration process and fee do not include participation in an event. The tournament application process varies by event and event participation fees will be set by and paid directly to the event organizer. Please see the Event Application section in TIMS to learn more.

What does it cost?

http://www.firstlegoleague.org/parents/fll-basics-abcs-fll#FLL_by_the_Numbers

Estimated Startup Cost: $800 – $1,200. Your team may have additional expenses such as: office supplies, team shirts, snacks, and travel expenses.

FLL Team Registration: $225 (Required)
LEGO MINDSTORMS® NXT set with software: $420. Available for Purchase when you register a Team; this is the recommended Kit, but any LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot may be used for FLL. This is a one-time cost, as the set is reusable year after year.
Field Setup Kit (FSK): $75
- All teams must have access to an official FLL Field Setup Kit. The FSK is the practice field for your team’s robot, and it changes each year based on the Challenge theme.
- Only one (1) may be purchased per team registration.
FLL Competition Table: approximately $75 to build at home
Laptop Computer: approximately $300 (if one is not available)
Tournament Entry Fees: approximately $50-$100 (varies by location)

Sample FLL Budget

Grants

Two grants of note:

$300 grant from General Motors, to be applied towards registration/parts only (rookie teams only)
$200 grant from Ford for teams mentored by a Ford employee (rookie or veteran teams)

FIRST in Michigan 2014-15 grant information: click here.

Tools

FLL teams will need to use a few household tools (hammer, nails, screws, saw, etc.) to construct the game field’s borders, surface, and supports. After the game field is complete, there will be little or no need for tools.