Learn more about FIRST, a global robotics community preparing young people for the future:

About FIRST (video)
Not a Robot (video)
I Am FIRST: Inspiring Dreamers (video)
FIRST Impact Infographic

FIRST LEGO League is the name of an overall program for elementary students with three separate divisions within that:

• FIRST LEGO League Challenge for 4th grade to the end of elementary school
• FIRST LEGO League Explore< for Kindergarten to 3rd grade
• FIRST LEGO League Discover for Preschool only

What FIRST LEGO League Challenge is all about
Elementary students work together to research a real-world engineering problem, then create an original solution for the program. They also design, build, and program a robot to accomplish missions on a yearly themed playing field. The theme changes each year, but the FLL Core Values that teams learn do not. The team’s season culminates in a competition where they celebrate and share the work they have done together with other teams.
About FIRST LEGO League (video)

What sets FLL apart from other programs

• The FIRST Core Values. Students learn that friendly competition and mutual gain are not separate goals, and they gain valuable teamwork skills.
• Programming autonomous robots. Students learn solid thinking and programming skills as they carefully plan missions.
• The Project. Students are encouraged to think about real-world problems and engage. They also learn invaluable public speaking and other soft skills.

Learn more about the current season theme, UNEARTHED, where teams use STEM and collaborationskills to unearth new findings about themselves and their collective communities to help build a better world:

2025-2026 FIRST AGE video
UNEARTHED Season Launch Video
UNEARTHED Misions Video
UNEARTHED Challenge Overview

Here are roles available at most FIRST LEGO League events:

• Judge
  • Interview and observe teams together with other judges using the FIRST LEGO League Challenge event rubrics, acting as a role model and motivating teams with your feedback, then deliberate to choose teams for awards and advancement.
  • Ages 18+, post-high school
  • Takes direction from Judge Adviser and requires additional training.
  • Can not be a coach, mentor, or parent of a team attending event.
• Referee
  • Observe team robot game matches and assess field for scoring of matches, interacting with and encouraging team members.
  • Ages 15+, high school students welcome
  • Takes direction from Head Referee and requires additional training.
• Scorekeeper
  • Enter data from score sheets into scoring program.
  • Ages 18+, older high school students welcome
• Timekeeper
  • Work closely with referees and teams to run the match timer and keep match play progressing.
  • Ages 15+, high school students welcome
• Registration
  • Provide direction, assistance, and information to FIRST LEGO League coaches and other volunteers and distribute materials.
  • Ages 17+, older high school students welcome
  • Short-term volunteer position in the morning only.
• Judge Advisor Assistant
  • Assist Judge Advisor. Enter judge rubric scores into judging software, help prepare scripts and slideshows, and organize rubric sheets.
  • Ages 17+, older high school students welcome
• Robot Game Queuer
  • Manage team traffic to and from the playing field.
  • Ages 17+, older high school students welcome
  • Great role for attending teams’ parents or mentors
• Judging Queuer
  • Manage team traffic to and from the judging areas.
  • Ages 17+, older high school students welcome
• Field Resetter
  • Repair and reset the playing fields after each match.
  • FTC or high school students welcome
• Pit Runner
  • Serve as team messenger — providing and distributing critical information to teams.
  • FTC or high school students welcome

And roles available at some events depending on size or other factors:

• Technical Staff
• Volunteer Room Assistant
• Concessions
• Event Photographer
• Emcee
• Floater

Follow these steps to register to volunteer at an event:

1. Log in or create an account in the FIRST Dashboard – sign up is located in the top right corner of the page. (See the Volunteer Registration User Guide if you need more detailed directions.)
2. Click the Volunteer Registration tab & choose ‘Volunteer at an Event’.
3. In ‘Filter Events’, choose FIRST LEGO League Challenge as the program and Michigan as the state and select an event.
4. Choose up to five roles and apply.
5. Complete your required Youth Protection program (YPP) background screening. (Step by Step Guide)

You will receive an email from your tournament director or volunteer coordinator once you are assigned to a volunteer role.

If you are under 18 and registering to volunteer, see the directions under Step 2 here.

All event volunteer roles have access to FIRST Training upon application. You will see a blue “FIRST Training” button in the “Volunteer Registration” tab of the FIRST Dashboard. Clicking this button will grant you access to the FIRST Training platform.

Training and certification requirements vary by role. If your role requires online training, you will be automatically enrolled into the training upon application or assignment into the role. A “Roles Missing Certification” section will appear on your Volunteer Dashboard. Click on “Review Outstanding Tasks,” then click the “Resolve” button. This will take you directly to the training site.

Schedule

• Your event director or volunteer coordinator will let you know what time to arrive. Most FLL event volunteer arrivals times are around 7-8 AM, though specific events vary based on event size and location.

Volunteer Lounge with Food

• Generally, at a full-day FIRST event, a volunteer lounge with food and refreshments away from the crowd will be supplied to show our appreciation for your time and to help re-energize you. At an FLL Challenge event, you will usually be provided breakfast and lunch.

Volunteer T-Shirt/ Name Badge

• Depending on the event, you may be given a T-shirt and/or name badge. These appoint you as a FIRST volunteer for the event. These items will grant you access to the areas you will need to access to complete your volunteer role and are also your ticket to the volunteer lounge for food and refreshments throughout the day if a volunteer lounge is provided.

All judges must complete the assigned “Judge 25/26” training in their FIRST Dashboard

You will be automatically enrolled into the training upon application or assignment into the judge role at an event. A “Roles Missing Certification” section will appear on the “Volunteer Registration” tab of your FIRST Dashboard. Click on “Review Outstanding Tasks,” then click the “Resolve” button. This will take you directly to the training site. You can also access the training portal by clicking the “FIRST Training” button at the top of the “Volunteer Registration” tab of your FIRST Dashboard.

Additional training materials:
Judge Training Videos
Judging Guide & Quiz
Tips for Interacting with Teams

Also see the season-specific videos under “2025 Season: UNEARTHED” above

UNEARTHED Challenge Overview
FIRST LEGO League Core Values
UNEARTHED Judging Session Flowsheet
UNEARTHED Judging Script & Questions
UNEARTHED Rubrics
Michigan Award List

All referees must complete the assigned “Referee 25/26” training in their FIRST Dashboard

You will be automatically enrolled into the training upon application or assignment into the referee role at an event. A “Roles Missing Certification” section will appear on the “Volunteer Registration” tab of your FIRST Dashboard. Click on “Review Outstanding Tasks,” then click the “Resolve” button. This will take you directly to the training site. You can also access the training portal by clicking the “FIRST Training” button at the top of the “Volunteer Registration” tab of your FIRST Dashboard.

Additional training materials:
UNEARTHED Robot Game Missions Video – Referee Version
FIRST LEGO League Challenge Referee Role Video
FIRST LEGO League Challenge Referee Scenarios
UNEARTHED Field Setup Video (also available as a Printable PDF)
UNEARTHED Referee Guide and Quiz

UNEARTHED Robot Game Rule Book
UNEARTHED Challenge Updates
UNEARTHED Robot Game Scoresheet
FIRST LEGO League Core Values

UNEARTHED Mission Model building instructions:

Element Overview
Prepack Overview
Book 1, Book 2, Book 3, Book 4, Book 5, Book 6,
Book 7, Book 8, Book 9, Book 10, Book 11, Book 12,
Book 13