Grades 2–4 | Non-competitive

FIRST LEGO League Explore (FLLE) is a hands-on, non-competitive program designed to introduce young students to the fundamentals of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Working in teams of up to six and guided by adult coaches, students explore a real-world theme and use a LEGO® Education Inspire Model as a starting point. They then design and build their own models using LEGO® elements and program motorized parts to showcase their ideas.

Each team also creates a Show Me Poster to document and share their learning journey. Students operate under the FIRST Core Values, emphasizing discovery, innovation, teamwork, and fun. Teams meet weekly from January through April, culminating in a FIRST LEGO League Explore Festival, where they present their work to Volunteer Reviewers. All teams are celebrated equally, and every participant receives an award—highlighting creativity, collaboration, and participation.

Through FLLE, students:

• Learn the value of teamwork
   
• Spark early interest in STEM
   
• Develop basic design and problem-solving skills
   
• Build a culture of sharing and discovery

 In the UNEARTHED™ challenge, to be released August 5, 2025, FIRST LEGO League teams will uncover the past to discover the future.

Many FIRST LEGO League Explore teams are based at schools with teachers or staff members serving as coaches, but teams can be started anywhere — no school affiliation required!

Contact your local school to see if a team exists or if there is interest in starting one.

Form a Team

• Each team must have two adult coaches (age 18+).

• Both Coaches register on FIRST Inspires and complete a Youth Protection Screening (even if already screened as a teacher).

• No experience needed — just a willingness to support students!

• D51 employees may be eligible for a coaching stipend. An application must be submitted to receive a stipend.

Team Details

• Teams can include students in grades 2–4.

• 6 students MAX per team, per FIRST rules.

• A D51 team, coached by staff receiving a stipend, must have 6 members.

• Schools can have multiple teams!

Registration

1. Team Registration, mid December - mid January: 
   Register your team on FIRST Inspires to get the season kit, and official documents.

2. Registering youth members:​​​​

   Once both coaches are registered and cleared from FIRST, they can invite parents to register their child on FIRST Inspires. 

3. Festival Registration, March:
   Information will come from D51 STEM or Colorado FIRST.

Team Meetings

• Teams usually meet 1–2 times per week from August to November.

• Coaches have access to these online materials and much more:

  • Team Meeting Guide

  • Student Engineering Notebooks

  • Ready-to-use slide decks

  • Lego Build Instructions

D51 teams are responsible for the following annual fees (subject to change each season):

• $125 + $18 shipping – FIRST Team Registration, this fee includes LEGO Explore Set, Engineering Notebooks and Team Meeting Guide.

• $40 – Festival Registration

Optional Costs:

• Show Me Poster supplies

• Additional LEGO building elements

• Team T-shirts

• Snacks

Important Notes for D51 Teams:

• Do not purchase a Spike Essentials Kit.
  D51 STEM will provide one Spike Essentials Kit per team. These are reusable for multiple seasons.

• Do not purchase a Class Pack.
  Class Packs are intended for in-school instruction, not after-school teams.

For Non-D51 Teams:
There is an additional one-time purchase of:

• $320 + $15 shipping – LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essentials Kit

*D51 does not collect or profit from FIRST LEGO League fees.

All costs are set by and paid directly to FIRST Inspires and Colorado FIRST.