FIRST LEGO League WA

What is it?

The FIRST LEGO League in WA (FLL WA) is a collaborative project led by Curtin University with eight key partnership schools.  It is part of the international For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) movement.

Over a six month season, teams of students ages 9-16 engage in two STEM problem-solving challenges. The Robot Challenge is building and programming a LEGO robot that completes missions on a field. The Research Project is to identify and solve a real-world problem.  Both challenges are undertaken with positive, collaborative principles that are celebrated at the high-energy, end-of-season competitions.

The Robot Challenge

Teams build a robot using a LEGO® MINDSTORMS® kit that they programme to autonomously complete a series of missions on a specialised arena and to score as many points as possible.

Robot Design

The technical aspect of the robot is assessed including design, programming and robustness.

Research Project

The teams identify a real world problem related to the theme, research the issues behind it and propose a solution. Through the project, teams learn more about the science behind the challenge theme.

Core Values

Whilst competing, the teams have to demonstrate FLL Core Values including Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition® encouraging high quality work, unqualified kindness, respect and learning.

How do we take part?

If you have never taken part in FLL before, we strongly advise you to first come along to an Information Evening.

You can also check out the video of the online info session from the 18th June which is linked here.

And you can download a pdf of the powerpoint presentation here.

All of the other events related to FLL in WA this year are listed below in the table.

Register your team for FLL WA

Team coaches can register teams for the 2020 FLL WA challenge through the FIRST Australia website.

Registration costs for 2020 are:

• AUD$475 for one team with one game kit + shipping
• AUD$575 for two teams sharing one game kit + shipping

Registration includes:

• A LEGO Competition kit, an exclusive selection of LEGO® bricks, the instructions to assemble your mission models, and a roll-out field to practice on.
• Entry into one of the West Australian regional tournaments.

The FLL LEGO Competition kits usually arrive in early August and teams have 10 to 12 weeks to work on the challenges. FLL WA is an incredibly rewarding program for young students, and teams can come from schools, social groups, community groups, homes, etc.

If you want to start a team, there are a few things you will need:

• A dedicated adult coach
• A LEGO SPIKE Prime, Mindstorms EV3, NXT or RCX robot kit
• A place to meet to work on building robots, practicing games and working on the project.

Teams then enter one of the West Australian Regional tournaments taking place in November. Qualifying teams go forward to the finals at Curtin, then potentially onto international tournaments in 2021.

Team registrations will be accepted until all slots are filled.

For further enquiries regarding the FLL WA, contact:

Tim Keely
STEM Outreach Coordinator
t.keely@curtin.edu.au
9266 5815

FLL WA schedule for 2020