First Lego League Team Checklist

Starting a new team takes a lot of organization. This is a suggested to do list for new teams. The information may also provide suggestions and reminders to returning teams.

Before the Season Starts

  • Find a meeting place
  • Meet with site host
  • Determine how the team will cover its costs
  • Find sponsorship
  • Determine which computer(s) the team will use
  • Set up a competition area
  • Build an FLL table, if desired
  • Purchase supplies, i.e., batteries, tackle boxes
  • Purchase a 3-ring binder to store important papers and handouts
  • Review FLL values and gracious professionalism

Team Logistics and Preparation

  • Learn as much as you can about FLL
  • Have team choose a team name
  • Participate in the forum, on the FLL website (firstlegoleague.org)
  • Obtain curriculum resources from the FIRST website (usfirst.org)
  • If possible, hold the first meeting before the season begins
  • Send a note home to parents requesting team members' emergency and medical information
  • Prepare a 3-ring binder for research, design ideas and judging information
  • Schedule technical mentors or specialists
  • Schedule weekly preparation time
  • Build a practice robot
  • Install software on computer(s)
  • Make sure the computer and controller communicate
  • Write a simple program, download to the robot, and test it
  • Print Challenge rules, point structure, and rubrics
  • Have team brainstorm for Challenge solutions
  • Have team begin brainstorming and working on the project
  • Have team work on Challenge missions
  • Have team design team T-shirt and/or button with team's logo

Success Tips for Learning and Teaching

  • Use team meeting time for training sessions
  • Run team-building exercises
  • Learn the basics of making a robot go
  • Add sensors to your robot and try simple programming challenges
  • Teach, or find someone to teach, basic mechanical principles: gears and gear ratios, building with cross braces, and building so that robot does not fall apart

Pre-tournament Preparation

  • Plan for extra meetings to prepare for the tournament
  • Publicize your team and the event sponsor
  • Run a robot and your project presentation as a practice session
  • Invite an audience for a dress rehearsal

Tournament Logistics

  • Go to the FLL website (firstlegoleague.org) for tournament information
  • Apply for an event
  • Determine whether you need to attend a qualifying tournament first
  • Review adult intervention policy
  • Obtain information about event start and end times and logistics
  • Collect Consent and Release forms from all students and mentors
  • Prepare team introduction pages

Tournament Checklist

  • Robot
  • Signed Consent and Release forms
  • Parts kit
  • Print out of programs
  • Materials needed for project presentation
  • Laptop computer with batteries and/or AC adaptor
  • Team scrapbook
  • Extra batteries
  • Team banner, posters, or other paraphernalia
  • Lunches and drinks
  • Storage box for personal items
  • IR tower or USB cable
  • Programming garage
  • TEam introduction pages