First Lego League is a robotic program for 9 to 14 year olds (up to 16 years old for teams from some international countries). The teams are comprised of up to ten members. At present, there are more than 20,000 teams from more than 70 nations that compete in events across the world. In the United States, registration for the annual competition is typically open between May and September.
Typical costs:
Team registration[1] for the 2013 national First Lego League competition is $225. The team registration is nonrefundable and includes one team membership, one coaches' handbook, a compilation DVD, a training DVD, two coaches pins, a parent pack and a poster. Team registration does not guarantee tournament participation, not does it include tournament fees. Tournament fees vary based on location and tournament level. For example, in Northern California[2] , the regional qualifier tournament fees cost about $85 and the championship round costs about $175.
To participate in the First Lego League, teams must have access to a Field Setup Kit ($75), but one kit can be shared between teams.
All teams must have a Lego robot. The NXT robot set costs $435, but can be reused from one year to the next; the EV3 robot set cost $499. Sets have an optional laptop[3] , needed for programming the robots, but the Intel Convertible PC is not a requirement. Typically, the First Lego League also allows use of any Lego MINDSTORMS robot[4] , but the sets made for the competition include pieces not found in typical retail sets. Additional, optional parts (color sensors, touch sensors, battery chargers) for the EV3 and the NXT robots are available for $20-$50 per piece.
What should be included:
Each First Lego League team competes in a challenge[5] that includes designing and programming a Lego MINDSTORMS robot to perform a specific task. The team is comprised of no more than 10 members and competes in regional tournaments.
Additional costs:
Additional, optional parts[6] (color sensors, touch sensors, battery chargers) for the EV3 and the NXT robots are available for $20-$50 per piece.
Most teams create and print individual team T-shirts, which can cost as little as $4 apiece for larger custom orders.
Costs of snacks, presentation materials and field trips are typically shared among team members.
Discounts:
Some regional FFL organizations offer need-based scholarships, but typically the grants are used in underserved communities.
Team members are all likely to need access to a laptop or desktop computer, but can use their own if they have one. Purchase of a new computer is not a requirement.
Shopping for first lego league robotics team:
Look for the regional contacts[7] in the team's area, who can provide guidance and resources for both teams and their families.
The First Lego League website provides a variety of team resources[8] and help for parents[9] .
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