FIRST Elementary Program Updates

• Please remember that we will be continuing our same SPIKE-based FLL season for the 26-27 school year, and you do not need to make any changes or purchase anything new for next year! Other changes previously announced with the new LEGO platform, such as team size and grade level shifts for Explore, will not affect the 26-27 SPIKE-based season, either.
• This was an unexpected change, and FIRST is making sure they are ready to share solid information. We expect an announcement about the future (27-28, etc.) FIRST elementary program by May, and I will share information as it is available. There will be plenty of time and information available during next year’s regular season to plan for the future.
• If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out anytime!

MDE 99h State Grant Awards Announced

• The MDE State Grant 99h Awards have been announced! A simplified spreadsheet showing FIRST team awards by district is available below.
• Key Things to Know About the Spreadsheet:
  • The amount show is your award provided you have met or will meet the requirement to attend an official FIRST in Michigan competition for this school year.
  • The $1,500 stipend per building may need to be shared with non-FIRST teams.
  • All awards were reduced proportionally due to limited funding: Public schools: 61.89% of maximum, Non-public schools: 65.7% of maximum
  • The spreadsheet includes one tab for public schools and one tab for non-public schools
  • Link to the Spreadsheet
• Payment Info:
  • Funds will be distributed in April
  • Payments will appear in your district’s monthly school aid payment, not by check.
  • Look for it under Line 99h on the statement that accompanies the School Aid direct deposit
• Errors or Questions: If you notice discrepancies after comparing with your Nexsys application, contact: Mde-edtech@michigan.gov

Spring Rookie Events

• Spring event placements are being posted to the Team List linked from the top of the Michigan Events Page as placements are made. You can check there for an update.
• Spring event registration information is also linked from the top of the Events page.

SCECHs FOR EDUCATORS – Due by June 1st

Educators serving as coaches or mentors have the opportunity to earn State Continuing Education Clock Hours or SCECHs. Educators who coached a team in the 2025-26 fall and/or spring season can apply. These hours can be used for renewal and progression of certificates and licenses issued by MDE.

• Requirements to Earn SCECHs
  • Applications for SCECHs under the Robotics Competition Grant must be submitted by the educator serving as a coach or mentor.
  • Applicants must include their Personal Identification Code (PIC) within their application. Directions to determine your PIC are included in the application.
  • Applicants may only claim hours as a coach or mentor for teams that participated in one competition.
  • Time spent at competitions does not count toward SCECHs and should not be logged.
• SCECH Calculation
  • For every ten hours of contact, one SCECH is awarded. A maximum number of 40 SCECHs can be awarded for robotics coaching. Time spent at a competition or event does not count toward SCECHs and should not be included in your log.
  • 1 SCECH = 10 hours of service
• SCECH Log and Application Instructions
  • All Robotics Competition Grant SCECH applications are due June 1, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted. Submitted SCECH applications will not be processed until after the June 1, 2026, due date. Please allow at least two weeks after the due date for your SCECH hours to update.
    • Record your eligible coaching hours using the SCECH Log. Eligible coaching hours are outlined in the Requirements section above.
    • Complete the SCECH Application by June 1, 2026. In the application, please upload your completed SCECH Log.
  • Please direct all questions to the MDE at MDE-EdTech@Michigan.gov.
  
  

  Participation Reminder

  • In Michigan, we run a slightly different progression of programs from FIRST. In Michigan, FIRST LEGO League is an elementary school only program with teams comprised solely of elementary school aged/grade team members. To attend an event or receive any grants, teams must be aligned to the FIRST in Michigan progression of programs, consisting ONLY of: All students in grades 4-5, as well as students in grade 6 (maximum) IF they attend an elementary school, and individual students in grade 3 who are “playing up” because it is a better fit for them.
  • FIRST LEGO League Challenge team size is capped at 10. No exceptions are made, and smaller teams than this are highly encouraged (6-8 students.) Multiple teams out of a given school/organization are welcome, and we have grants which can fully fund additional teams at a school. Let me know if you would like more teams!
  • If you have middle school students who would like to participate in robotics, please reach out the Tammy Damrath at tammy@firstinmichigan.org for more information about FTC teams.
  
  

  MICHIGAN RESOURCES

  These four important pages have all the information you need to run a Michigan FIRST LEGO League Challenge team each year:

  • Resources page – annotated, organized list of links to everything for running a team and this season
  • Events page – important pages linked at the top to help you register for an attend an event
  • Run-a-Team page – step-by-step guide to running a team from registration to attending an event
  • Grants page – information about all grants available to new or returning teams
  
  

  EBLASTS

  • FIRST in Michigan FIRST LEGO League Challenge team eblasts (sent from angela@firstinmichigan.org) are sent to the Team Administrator and Lead Coach 1 and 2 for each team. The eblast distribution list is pulled from the current FIRST Team Registration System, per FIRST protocol.