FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Robotics Program FAQ

A partnership of the Y of Central Maryland andCity Schools

What is FLL Robotics?

FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Robotics brings science theory and engineering practices together in a revolutionary program where inquiry and hands-on experimentation are encouraged. Kids combine what they’ve learned in the classroom with the latest technologies to solve ayearly challenge! The challenge is based on finding creative ideas to solve real world problems. Visit for more information.

What is the goal of the program?

  • To increase STEM interest and aptitude

What do the students on an FLL team do?

  • Research the real-world issue presented in the challenge.
  • Design, build, and program an autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS technologies.
  • Research and solve a problem faced by real-world scientists and present their solutions.
  • Compete in friendly, sports-like tournaments.
  • Proudly celebrate their teams’ accomplishments.

How many students can be on a team?

  • 4-10(we suggest 6)

Who can participate?

  • City Schools’ FLL program is for students in 4th - 5th grades
  • There is a Vex robotics program for middle and high school students.
  • FIRST allows students aged 9-14 to participate so some of the other teams will include middle school students.

How many hours a week do teams meet?

  • Teams will meet for at least 2-3 hours per week. Most award-winning teams meet for 3 or more hours per week.

How is the program staffed?

  • The program will be led by a teacher (coach).
  • A regional coordinator from the Y will support multiple schools by visiting team meetings,organizingand preparing for off-site events, and providing support and guidance to teachers.
  • The Y and City Schools will also be attempting to recruit volunteer mentors to assist teachers.

What field trips/off site events are part of the program?

  • Theme based field trip (optional) – this trip will help students on their research project.
  • Scrimmage – teams will prepare for a regional qualifier by competing against other teams in head to head robot matchesand presenting to a panel of judges.
  • Regional qualifier – teams will compete with other teams in the region.The top teams will qualify for an opportunity to attend the statewide tournament.

What do other teams do for transportation?

  • Parents/guardians arrange transportation for their child (free)
  • Yellow bus (approximately $465/event)
  • The regional coordinatorfrom the Y can help schools find other schools interested in sharing a bus.

How much will the program cost?

  • City Schools will be providing $1,457 worth of robotics equipment for the 2012-2013 school year. Schools that register an FLL team for the 2013-2014 school year get to keep the equipment (otherwise the equipment must bereturned toCity Schools).
  • Schools must provide for transportation to two events (see sample budget for various costs) and pay approximately $445 in annual expenses that includes registration fees, the problem kit, and supplies for attending tournaments (such as team t-shirts).

What would a sample FLL budget look like for a school?

description / quantity / item cost / subtotal
FIRST FLL Registration Fee / 1 / $225.00 / $225.00
MD FLL Registration Fee / 1 / $65.00 / $65.00
FLL Field Kit / 1 / $75.00 / $75.00
T-shirts (team gear) / 8 / $10.00 / $80.00
Transportation to Scrimmage (bus estimate)* / .33 / $456.55 / $152.18
Transportation to Qualifier (bus estimate)* / .33 / $456.55 / $152.18
Food at Scrimmage~ / 6 / $10.00 / $60.00
Food at Qualifier~ / 6 / $10.00 / $60.00
  • * Three teams can share one bus if the school arranges it with the help of the regional coordinator from the Y.
  • * If parents arrange transportation (carpools) for their children the school does not need to pay for a bus.
  • ~ Competitions are on Saturdays so students can bring bag lunches or the school can choose to feed them.

How many computers will we need?

  • You will need three computers for your team meetings since City Schools will be providing you with three robots to work with.
  • You will need to install (or have ITD install) the accompanying software on at least one laptop that you can bring with you to the competitions.

How much space will we need?

  • You can meet in almost any classroom, as long as you have access to three computers when you work on programming.
  • You will need to have a place where you can store a practice table (approximately the same size as a folding table) and the robots.

How many teams will be competing from City Schools?

  • 15-25
  • We have full funding for fifteen schools and partial funding for twenty-five schools.

To what standards is this program aligned?

  • Common Core Math Standards
  • National Research Council/National Science Teachers Association
  • Maryland State Curriculum

How will gains be measured?

  • A pre/post survey
  • A comparison of grades and test scores with a control group
  • An end-of-program assessment

Why has City Schools decided to Partner with the Y of Central Maryland?

For the past two years, the Y of Central Maryland has successfully supported FLL teams across the state, many of which were located atBaltimore City schools in conjunction with the Y’s Achiever programs.

  • Through this experience, the Y has gained insight into the best practices for training and supporting rookie teams/coaches at our city schools and preparing them to compete on the state wide level.

What support will the Y provide?

  • An initial training that will cover:
  • FLL’s major components (project, game, core values)
  • An explanation of this year’s theme and missions
  • Hands on programming practice
  • Best practices for running an FLL team
  • Continuous support at BCPSS Works professional development
  • Support for and during off-site events

Where can I get more information?

  • FLL Website:
  • Startup Info:
  • Match videos:

What is the time frame?

  • May
  • Applications must be submitted by May 4
  • September
  • New Coaches Training (September 15)
  • Maryland FLL Coaches Training (September 22 or 29)
  • Recruit students
  • Week 1 of program – intro FLL
  • Build model for basic intro
  • October
  • Week 1 – basic intro
  • Week 2 – basic intro continued
  • Week 3 – intro missions, project and core values/identify order of challenges/intro team and roles
  • Week 4 – work on missions/begin research (divide into three groups – build/program/project)
  • November
  • Week 1 – Theme based field trip (optional)
  • Week 2 - Continue to work on missions/begin presentation of project
  • Week 3 – Practice
  • Week 4 – Debrief following the scrimmage
  • December & January
  • Prep for qualifiers
  • Finalize presentation
  • Share presentations with community (school, teach, parents, etc.)
  • Develop team swag
  • February
  • State tournament (if your team qualifies)

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