FLL Program Updates

• I have added a page to our website to keep everyone updated with the new program, including a growing FAQ as new information becomes available. You can find it here: FIRST in Michigan FLL Program Updates
• FIRST in Michigan will host calls over the next few months for any coaches or program admin who have questions about the FLL program changes. Watch for information in an upcoming coach email!
• Remember that the current Michigan Progression of Programs will not change, and FLL will continue to be an elementary program in Michigan.

Spring Rookie Events

• Event registration is now open for rookie spring events.
• You can find ‘Spring Event Registration’ information (event list and registration link) linked at the top of the FIRST in Michigan FLLC Events page.
• If you are not a rookie team but would like to register for a Spring rookie event because you did not register for an event in the fall, you can also register and you will be placed into events as space allows.
• If your school has multiple teams who need to compete still or you do not see an event in your area, please reach out for information about hosting a Spring event.

Off-Season Opportunities

These events are not organized by FIRST in Michigan and do not meet grant participation requirements, they are just extra chances for teams to have fun!

• Royal Robothon is a free, remote-based offseason FLL league where students can complete up to three missions each month either by themselves or with friends, and then record and upload the videos for scoring. It’s played using the same field and Lego kits as during the season. It’s a flexible and low time commitment way for motivated students to stay engaged who don’t want to wait until the fall to keep building or programming. You can find more information or register a team at team1188.org/robothon/, or reach out with questions directly to robothon@royaloakrobotics.org.
• Scrimmage at Kolb Elementary – Kolb Elementary in Bay City is hosting a scrimmage for teams in the area who have already competed in their officially qualifying event this year and would like a chance to get together to compete with other teams again. It will be Sat, April 18th from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. If your team is interested, please reach out to robertsn@bcschools.net.

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.

Grants

• Donors Choose:Through generous support from 3M, FIRST® related DonorsChoose project funding is now available to any US-based full-time educators and school district employees who work directly with students at least 75% of the time from Public Schools, Public Charter School, Head Start Centers, and Bureau of Indian Education Schools. FIRST educators will create a project on DonorsChoose and once the project is live, they must complete this form to be considered for this selective funding opportunity. Projects will be reviewed to ensure they meet donor intent and partial funding will be allocated accordingly. For more information, please visit this page.

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