Start a FIRST LEGO League Team

FIRST does not match youth to existing teams due to our privacy policy. Teams form in local communities and recruit as needed. We encourage those looking for a team to contact local schools, libraries, or youth organizations that may have a team in place or an interest in starting one. An online search may also be helpful, as some teams share contact information through websites and social media pages.

Start an Explore Team

Each year in early August, FIRST LEGO League Explore releases a new challenge for the teams that focuses on a scientific topic. Teams are sent on a journey of discovery to learn all they can about the topic, then present their findings in the form of a team poster and a LEGO model that moves. 

1. Form a team of 2-6 youth, ages 6-10, and at least one coach. 
2. Register your team with FIRST. Registration is open from August through May each year. See Explore pricing and payment information for more details.
3. Highly Recommended, but Optional: Register your team as a Nebraska 4-H Club by contacting your local Nebraska Extension Office.
4. Begin meeting to research the current challenge topic, create a poster presenting that research, and build a LEGO model with at least one motorized part that addresses the topic research.
5. All teams are invited to present what they have learned and created in a non-competitive, fun, high-energy Showcase. Nebraska 4-H hosts at least one Showcase event each year. See the calendar of events for the location, date, time, and cost of this year's Showcase. 

Start a Challenge Team

Each Challenge season has three parts: the Robot Game, the Innovation Project, and FIRST Core Values.

1. Form a team of 2-10 youth, ages 9-14*, and at least one coach.  Once you have a team (you do not need all team members names yet), you may register. *Team members in the United States may not exceed age 14 on January 1 the year the Challenge is released.
2. Register your team with FIRST. Sign up before the middle of September, when all team spaces usually are filled. See Challenge pricing and payment information for more details. 
3. Highly Recommended, but Optional: Register your team as a Nebraska 4-H Club by contacting  your local Nebraska Extension Office.
4. Acquire equipment:
   • Computer
   • LEGO Education SPIKE Prime
5. Start meeting as a team. Begin building, programming, researching, and practicing as soon as the Challenge is announced.
6. Register for a Nebraska FIRST LEGO League Challenge Championship Tournament. See the Nebraska FIRST Robotics Schedule for locations, dates, times, and costs of this year's Mini-Play events and Championship Tournament.