VA/DC Junior FIRST LEGO League
Registration for the Jr.FLL Expo in Richmond on May 1st is now open.
What is Jr.FLL
Created in partnership with the LEGO Group, Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL) is geared to children aged 6 to 9 years old and utilizes a modified FIRST LEGO League (FLL) framework. Teams of up to 6 children and an adult mentor receive a mini challenge based on the annual FLL research project. Using an open-ended LEGO building set, they will design a model depicting an aspect of this year’s "Smart Move" Challenge. Children will spend approximately one month exploring, investigating, designing and building a model made with LEGO bricks. In conjunction, teams create a "Show Me" poster that depicts the teams’ experience during this process, through drawings and words.
Teams are encouraged to gather together and hold local events to share their experiences with family and friends. Anyone is able to hold an event - tips, suggestions, and "how to" are offered in the Event Guide.
Jr.FLL introduces children to the concepts of teamwork and basic design skills, creating an initial interest and hands-on approach to science and technology through the familiarity and fun of LEGO building. The goal: provide an experience that will begin to transform youngsters and open their eyes to the possibilities of improving the world around them through acknowledgement, thought, planning and technology.
The Jr.FLL experience also is a way of engaging younger siblings and friends of FLL team members in a similar team situation with goals. By cultivating their interest in and experience with this kind of hands-on, fun teamwork, they are likely to then transition to the FLL program, as they get older.
Jr.FLL Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jr.FLL?
Jr.FLL is a fun and powerful program designed by FIRST (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation) and LEGO for children 6 to 9 years old. Jr.FLL introduces children to the concepts of teamwork and basic design skills, creating an initial interest and hands-on approach to science and technology through the familiarity and fun of LEGO building.
My 5 year old really likes to build; can she participate on a Jr.FLL team?
The recommended age range for Jr.FLL is 6 to 9 years old. The upper age limit of 9 is strict, but the lower limit of 6 can be flexible. If, after taking in the child’s developmental level, you feel they are capable of participating on a team and possibly interacting with older children, then by all means they’re allowed! As a warning, we have found that kids younger than 6 can be very overwhelmed by the experience. Remember, for kids that are 9 to 14, FIRST offers the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) program. We highly recommend having at least two members on a team, so that children may truly benefit from the team experience.
What makes up a “team”?
Teams are comprised of up to 6 children and an adult (18+) coach. Other people such as parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, and community members are encouraged to mentor, volunteer, and help the team to success.
Do I have to be part of a school to form a team?
No! Any organization or group can create a team: schools, community groups, churches, neighborhoods, families, etc. If you have a lot of interest in your area, you are able to register more than one team.
How often and for how long do teams meet?
Jr.FLL teams generally meet for 6-8 weeks. Each session should last for about one to two hours, once or twice a week. Many teams meet after school or during another group activity, such as during a Girl Scout or Boy Scout troop meeting.
How can my child join a team?
Kids generally do not “join” a team, rather teams are formed around the child. If your child is interested in the program, a good place to start looking for other team members are your child’s friends. Ask other parents in the neighborhood about interest or approach a teacher or the principal at your child’s school with the idea – any adult can start a team at their local level. Within the Jr.FLL forums, the “Finding Others Interested in Jr.FLL” forum topic may be helpful. This is a public community forum for Jr.FLL teams and prospective team members to connect. VA/DC FLL also offers a Jr.FLL mailing list that can help you find others in your area interested in starting a team or established teams that may have space for additional team members.
How do I join the Jr.FLL mailing list ?
The VA/DC Jr.FLL email list allows people with an interest in Jr.FLL to keep in touch, find others interested in forming teams, share ideas, and more. This list also provides a way for coaches and mentors to discuss and distribute Jr.FLL questions and suggestions. Finally, administrative program announcements will be distributed to members of this list. Both Virginia/DC-specific and general Jr.FLL topics are covered, so everyone is welcome. To join or leave the VADCJRFLL-L list, visit: https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcjrfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list".I don’t know anything about building and am certainly not an engineer, could I actually be a team’s coach?!
ABSOLUTELY! Coaching a team requires no previous knowledge. We just ask that you have a willingness to learn with the kids. Others have described teams and coaching Jr.FLL as a playgroup with a goal. The kids come together once a week or so to build with their LEGO pieces with a topic in mind. As a Team you will also gain access to the Coaches' Guide.
What information is in the Coaches' Guide?
The Coaches' Guide contains valuable information, resources, and tips to bring you through the entire season – from forming the team to conducting a team meeting.
How do we become a Jr.FLL Team?
Registration is now open for the Smart Move season. Go to https://my.usfirst.org/jr.fll/tims/site.lasso to sign up your team and purchase a Jr.FLL Team Access Pass. In order to register your team you will need the names and contact information of two adult leaders along with details regarding your team members (number of team members, are you a new or returning team, etc.).
Is there a fee associated with creating a Team?
Yes. This cost is associated with the primary materials and access to the coaches’ information; it does not include any team extras such as buttons, t-shirts, or traveling. Every team will need to purchase a Jr.FLL Team Access Pass for $25 in order to receive challenge materials and be eligible to participate in Jr.FLL events (please note that the Team Access Pass does not include the cost of any events, these are paid directly to event organizers if there is a participation fee).
What is included with the Team Access Pass?
The Jr.FLL Team Access Pass includes:
- Jr.FLL Challenge - Model and Show-Me Poster instructions.
- Jr.FLL Coaches' Guide - Best practices for coaches.
- Jr.FLL Events – Option to participate in Jr.FLL events. Event fees are an additional cost.
- Jr.FLL Forums - Unrestricted access to our private Jr.FLL forums, including a forum just for Coaches.
- Jr.FLL Team Support – Jr.FLL Program support for registered teams.
As a registered Jr.FLL team, you also have the option to purchase the:
Jr.FLL Base Kit
, discounted prices for U.S. teams.LEGO WEDO Robotics Construction Set & Software
, discounted prices for U.S. teams. This product is piloted for 2009.LEGO 15" X 15" Base Plate
What is the Jr.FLL Challenge?
The Jr.FLL Challenge is a mini-challenge based on the same real-world topic as the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge. It is a scaled down version that is often more open-ended so that the variety of ages can customize the project to their ability level.
What is the typical season?
The Jr.FLL season started with team registration and product ordering in August. The Challenge was announced on the same day as the FLL Challenge in September. The Jr.FLL season will end when registration closes in June 2010.
Are there Jr.FLL events to attend?
Teams are encouraged to gather together and hold local events to share their experience with family and friends. Anyone is able to hold an event – tips, suggestions, and “how-to” are offered in an event guide available to coaches. Also, in some areas of the country there will be Jr.FLL events organized by the FLL Partner and may be run in conjunction with an FLL Tournament.
Will there be any Jr.FLL events in Virginia/DC?
In addition to a number of events that have been organized by teams for their local areas, VA/DC FLL held a Jr.FLL Expo in conjunction with the FLL Championship Tournament in early December in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
On May 1, 2010 there will be a Jr.FLL Expo held at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond - all Virginia and DC Jr.FLL teams that have received their Jr.FLL Team Access Pass from FIRST (i.e. completed team registration) are eligible to participate. The Expo will start at 10am and will end sometime between 12:30 and 2 - the ending time will be confirmed once we know how many teams will be in attendance. Registration will take place between March 15 and April 15 at a cost of $25 per team. Further details about the Expo will be sent to the VA/DC Jr.FLL email list and will be posted to the website as they become available.
As a reminder, anyone wishing to host a Jr.FLL event may do so and you are welcome to invite other teams to participate by sending an email the VA/DC Jr.FLL email list.
What kit do I need for my team?
You are not required to purchase a specific kit to participate – the team can build their model using any LEGO bricks and elements other than Duplos – but it is strongly recommended that your team purchase the Jr.FLL base kit ($107.96 plus shipping and taxes – Jr.FLL team savings of $26.99). If you have the base kit from previous years or from another source, there is no need to buy a new one from season to season. The Jr.FLL base kit includes 396 LEGO Technic elements, a LEGO motor, and full-color building instruction booklets for 10 principal models and 18 main models.
What if I have other questions that haven’t been answered here?
If you have questions about the challenge or any general questions, you can send an email to jrfllteams@usfirst.org. If you have questions about the Jr.FLL program in Virginia and DC, please send an email to questions@vadcfll.org. You can also post questions to the VA/DC Jr.FLL email list.