FIRST® LEGO® League Explore
Grades 2 - 4
Welcome to FIRST® LEGO® League Explore!
For Grades 2-4 FIRST® LEGO® League Explore is an exciting opportunity for the youngest budding scientists. It encompasses the core concepts of all FIRST® programs to inspire, excite, and introduce kids to the wonders of science, technology, and engineering.
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Teaches the benefits of teamwork
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Sparks initial interest in science and technology
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Introduces basic design skills through a hands-on approach with the familiarity and fun of LEGO® building
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Provides a culture of sharing and learning from others
The goal is to provide an experience that will capture young children’s inherent curiosity and creativity and direct it toward discovering the possibilities of improving the world around them through understanding, thought, planning, and technology.
How do I get my child on a team?
As a rule, FIRST®, including FIRST® LEGO® League Explore in Missouri, does not place children on teams.
Also, for privacy reasons, we are not able to share lists of team contact information.
Any group can create a team: schools, home schools, community groups, churches, or just some friends who wish to do something awesome. Adults do not need any technical experience to coach a team.
What is an Official Festival?
We have fun! Official Festivals, held on select weekends in February through April, are a non-competitive 2-3 hour event that offers students an amazing experience as they celebrate their hard work, make new friendships, and are exposed to ideas and ideologies that will enhance their lives for decades to come.
Our Festivals begin with teams presenting their challenge research, LEGO model to FIRST® LEGO® League Explore reviewers. Presentations conclude with a brief question-and-answer period.
The all team portion of the Festival follows with team building and STEM activities. Finally, the event concludes with a super fun, high energy awards and closing ceremony. In FIRST® LEGO® League Explore, everyone is a winner!
FIRST® LEGO® League
Grades K - 8
Friendly competition is at the heart of FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge, as teams of
students grades K - 8.
engage in research, problem-solving, coding, and engineering –
building and programming a LEGO® robot that navigates the missions of a Robot Game.
As part of Challenge, teams also design an innovative solution to a real-world problem
relevant to the theme.
Season Timeline
The 2025 - 2026 Season for FIRST LEGO League Challenge has been completed.
Our next season will start early August 2026.
We express the FIRST philosophies of Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition through FIRST Core Values:
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Discovery: We explore new skills and ideas.
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Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
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Impact: We apply what we learn to improve our world.
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Inclusion: We respect each other and embrace our differences.
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Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together.
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Fun: We enjoy and celebrate what we do!
How to find a team near you
Although FIRST LEGO League Eastern Missouri does not match children with existing teams or provide team contact information for several reasons*, here are some ways to connect with others:
• Start your own team; no experience is needed
• Volunteer at FIRST events to meet Coaches and mentors
• Share the FIRST for Educators with your school to encourage formation of new teams
• Contact one of the local FIRST Alliances to see if there are teams forming in their organization
• Post on our Facebook Page and ask if coaches have openings
*Teams are structured in a variety of different ways; some are clubs or after-school programs that meet year-round, while others are formed by parents, community organizers, or youth groups. For these and other reasons, we do not match individual children with existing teams. For privacy reasons, we are not able to share team contact information.