Los Angeles Region FIRST® LEGO® League (LARFLL)
FLL Challenge
First Steps for New Teams

Before the Challenge is Released (If Possible)

  • Register your team and purchase the Field Setup Kit and a FLL Robot Set (if you do not already have one).
  • Review the Coaches' Handbook.
  • Attend a Training Class or Summer Camp. See Team Resources.
  • If you would like additional help or ideas, see the recommended book in Team Resources.
  • If none of the students has worked with LEGO® MINDSTORMS® before, have some students work through the tutorials to build a simple robot and demonstrate the use of each sensor. Those students can teach the others.
  • If you have time, additional Robot Building Examples and a Programming Tutorial are avalable on Team Resources.

When the Field Setup Kit is received

  • Print a copy of the Info Page on the Building Instructionsw CD to help identify the right parts.
  • Lay all of the parts out on a light colored bath towel, keeping similar parts together.
  • Build the mission models in your Field Setup Kit per instructions on the Building Instructions CD.
  • Build the models with many large or brightly colored parts first to make the smaller parts easier to find.

When the Challenge is Released

The Game

  • Follow the online Field Setup instructions for proper placement of the mission models on the field mat with Dual Lock.
  • Review the Challenge Game Rules, Missions and Q&A.
  • View the mission videos.
  • Figure out how many points you can get without activating your robot.
  • Brainstorm how your robot could earn additional points.
  • Start on the easy missions.

The Project

  • Review the Challenge Project.
  • Brainstorm possible local problems for your project.
  • Assign students to research potential problems and possible solutions.

The Team 

  • Choose a team name and T-shirts to wear to competitions.
  • Discuss roles and responsibilites.
  • Discuss the Core Values.