• 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 books 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

• Attend a Release Workshop. See list of FLL Events for the current season.

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 Rulings.
• 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 working on the easy missions first.

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.