UPPER ELEMENTARY ROBOTICS PROGRAM

Intro to FIRST LEGO League

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2025-2026 SEASON

WHO ARE WE?

We are a 100% VOLUNTEER 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the students of Hartland and the surrounding community via agreement with Hartland Consolidated Schools

Our mission is to provide a comprehensive Grade PreK-12 robotics programs that fosters a passion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and create an environment that yields well-rounded individuals with technical AND people skills

We leverage programs offered by FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), the world’s leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing STEM education

OUR GOALS

Student Experience: Deliver an unsurpassed student experience through “the hardest fun you’ll ever have”, and drive continuity in student participation though the FIRST program progressions

People: Build a lasting legacy of coaches, mentors, and program leaders to ensure long-term continuity of the program

Funding: Identify and acquire annual revenue for the operation of the program, and secure funds to support long-term program growth and sustainability

Facilities: Secure facilities with modern tools that facilitate the mission and supports the magnitude of future student engagement

Culture: build a culture that is instantly recognizable inside and outside the community, which exemplifies the motto: “building better humans, one robot at a time”

Our Programs

PRESCHOOL

FIRST LEGO League - Discover

2 Teams: 20 students

at two local preschools

LOWER ELEMENTARY (Grades K-3)

FIRST Lego League – Explore

22 Teams: 116 Students

representing all 4 elementary schools

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1 team was invited to the

FIRST Championship in Texas!

UPPER ELEMENTARY (Grades 4-6)

FIRST Lego League – Challenge

8 Teams: 64 Students

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Qualifying Tournaments:

Core Values Award Winner

Innovation Project Award Winner

MIDDLE SCHOOL (Grades 7-8)

FIRST Tech Challenge

4 Teams: 45 total students

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Qualifying Tournaments:

Finalist Alliance Team Captain (x2)

Inspire Award Winner

Design Award Winner (x3)

Innovate Award Winner�Control Award Finalist

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MI State Championship:

Inspire Award Winner

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FIRST Championship:

Rank #40 of 80 (record 4-6-0)

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HIGH SCHOOL (Grades 9-12)

FIRST Robotics Competition

1 Teams: 31 total students

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District Events:

Mt. Pleasant: Rank 1 w/record of 16-2-0

District Event Winner

Innovation in Control Award Winner

Mason: Rank 3 w/record of 12-4-0

Quality Award Winner

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�MI State Championship:

Rank 13 w/record of 6-8-0

Innovation in Control Award Winner

�FIRST Championship:

Rank 53 with record of 3-7-0

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FIRST LEGO League Challenge

THE COMPETITION

In Michigan, we’re special! (seriously)

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The program is administered regionally by delivery partners. Our partner is an independent non-profit corporation, FIRST in Michigan: www.firstinmichigan.org

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THE SEASON

The MI State season runs August-December, with team meetings for ~10-12 weeks and culminating in a qualifying tournament.

• Tournaments are held all across the State of Michigan; we will be sending teams to a tournament near (but outside of) Hartland
• Only one Qualifying Tournament for each team
• Event will take place all day on a Saturday or Sunday (7a-5p)
• Event schedule TBD, but will be between end of Oct thru beginning of December
• Teams will be assigned a time slot for Judging, where the team will be assessed in the three facets of FLL
• Teams that place well at a Qualifying Tournament may advance to the the MI State Championship in mid-December

TEAM MEETINGS

• Team meetings led by a volunteer coach and an assistant coach
• Meetings held (minimum) twice per week, typically on weekdays
• ~2 hours each meeting
• Could (should) be more as teams approach competition
• For safety, minimum of two adults are REQUIRED to be present for any team activity
• FLL-Challenge teams are limited to 10 students. Ideal team is ~6.
• Smaller student/mentor ratio is better.
• Number of volunteers directly relates to how much students learn and achieve.
• Teams formed by the Admins based on coach schedule and available times selected on each student’s application.

THE COMPETITION

Teams evaluated on: Innovation Project, Robot Game, & Core Values

Champions

Robot Design

Core Values

Innovation Project

On the field evaluation

OFF the field evaluation

THE COMPETITION

Innovation Project�Teams are challenged to learn more about the science behind the real-world Challenge theme, then use their creativity to design a solution (or modify an existing solution) to solve the problem.�

Robot Game�Teams are required to build and program an autonomous (no remote control) LEGO robot that can perform theme-based “mission” tasks on a table-top playing field. The missions require the robot to navigate, capture, transport, or deliver objects. The more missions completed, the more points teams earn.�

Core Values�While teams work on the Innovation Project and Robot Game, they are guided by the FIRST Core Values. This set of values is what makes our program so special. Teams are encouraged to compete like crazy but still respect their teammates, coaches, and even help their “competitors.”  Our most important Core Value is “Have FUN!”

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ROBOT GAME

• Teams will develop their individual robot using LEGO® Spike Prime and Technic building system 
• The robot is designed and programmed by the team to autonomously solve a set of missions within the 2 ½ minutes time limit

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• The robot can use markers on the game mat, and sensors mounted to the robot (motor encoder, gyro, distance, touch)
• The team will get 4 chances to compete, with the highest score used to rank the Robot Game

COST

• Participation Fee is $200 per student (we accept check/cash/online)
• The program is funded through grants, corporate sponsorships + fundraising + participation fees
• Participation fee partially offsets the cost of:
• Team registration & competition fee
• Robot parts (LEGOs, Sensors, Computers, etc.)
• Team shirts (each student is provided 1)
• Additional costs not included in the participation fee:
• Travel to any tournament and travel/lodging to out of area tournaments (possible, but unlikely)
• Optional spirit wear is available to be purchased online

2025-2026 SEASON CHALLENGE

Season Teaser Video Link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exWkcUBS0j8

THANK YOU!