It’s Time for a #FIRSTChamp Curtain Call!
April 26, 2024
The FIRST® LEGO® League SUBMERGEDSM season, part of the 2024-2025 ocean-inspired robotics season, FIRST® DIVESM presented by Qualcomm, is challenging teams to use their STEM skills and creativity to explore the layers of the ocean and “sea” into the future.
Just diving in? Check out the SUBMERGED Welcome Video for details about what to expect this season. All season materials are available on the Game & Season page.
For those who have already embarked on their season, we have answers to some frequently asked questions from FIRST ® LEGO ® League Explore and Challenge teams below:
Q: Does my FIRST LEGO League Explore team need to complete a research project?
A: Your team will work together in teams of up to six members using pieces from the LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential set and SUBMERGED Explore Set as they dive into the season theme. Teams will collaborate and communicate to build, learn, and play together as they work through the Engineering Notebook sessions. Teams work together to create their Team Model following the requirements outlined in the Engineering Notebook and Team Meeting Guide.
Q: What is the difference between the Explore Model and the Team Model?
A: The Explore Model is the different models that come packaged in the Explore Set and is built using the Building Instructions. Each Explore Set comes with prototyping or ‘free-build’ pieces in bags 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. These prototyping pieces are used throughout the sessions to build solutions to the design challenges. The Team Model requirements are explained in the Team Meeting Guide and Engineering Notebook. The Team Model should include all parts of the Explore Set and one part of it should be motorized. Teams often use additional LEGO® bricks they may have from other models or past seasons.
Q: What is the purpose of the SPIKETM Essential Lessons and where can I find them?
A: The lessons in the SPIKETM Essential App are not theme-specific, but they do lay the foundational elements for coding in the later parts of each session and the final Team Model. The lessons can be found in the SPIKE app under the FIRST LEGO League Explore Unit. Additional coding resources can be found in the Multimedia Resources.
Q: Is the Explore Story supposed to have words?
A: The Explore Story is a wordless comic referenced throughout the sessions to inspire creativity and spark discussions about the season's theme. Teams are encouraged to interpret the images to create their own imaginative story about what is happening and to connect what they build to the story the images tell.
Q: I’m a new coach and am unsure about where to start with my team. What do you recommend?
A: We recommend starting with the SUBMERGED Welcome Video for details on what to expect this season, and to review the Welcome Letter for guidance on what resources to start with and what materials your team needs for the season. Make sure to follow us on Facebook for updates throughout the season!
Let’s go beneath the surface and address some frequently asked questions from FIRST® LEGO® Challenge teams:
Q: Are there building instructions for my team’s robot?
A: There are no building instructions for robots; teams are free to design their robot any way they like. Teams may use the building instructions provided by LEGO® Education SPIKETM Prime as inspiration for their own robots, but they are not required to. Make sure to review the judging rubrics to prepare for what types of questions the judges may ask about Robot Design.
Q: Can my team use multiple robots in a competition?
A: Teams can use only one robot per match, but a different robot may be used for different matches. Be sure to review the Equipment Overview on page 15 of the Robot Game Rulebook.
Q: My team is unsure if their Innovation Project topic is appropriate for the season theme. What should I do?
A: The annual theme is broad to allow for a wide variety of Innovation Project topics. When scoring the Innovation Project rubric page, judges will need to hear about how the problem was selected, the team's research and discovery, and their creativity and iteration in their proposed solution. It is up to teams to explain to judges how their topic is related to the theme. Judges will be excited to hear about each team’s unique approach and are not looking to disqualify teams based on their ideas. Make sure to review the Judging Session Flowchart to see how much time is allotted for teams to share all parts of their explanation during the judging session.
Q: Does my team need to use SPIKE Prime?
A: No, LEGO® Education SPIKETM Essential, MINDSTORMS® EV3, MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor, Powered Up, and equivalent NXT and RCX are also allowed. Make sure to review the Equipment Overview in the Robot Game Rulebook.
Q: I’m a new coach and unsure about where to start with my team. What do you recommend?
A: We recommend starting with the SUBMERGED Welcome Video for details on what to expect this season, and to review the Welcome Letter for guidance on what resources to start with and what materials your team needs for the season. Keep an eye out for any Challenge Updates & Clarifications posted throughout the season, and make sure to follow us on Facebook for updates!
Q: How do I register for an event?
A: FIRST LEGO League event registration is completed through your local Program Delivery Partner. To locate their contact information, visit the Find Local Support page.
Q: How should my team prepare for a tournament?
A: Event season is on the horizon and as your team prepares, we recommend watching the Preparing for your Event video on the FIRST LEGO League YouTube channel.
Not sure how to register for an event? FIRST LEGO League event registration is completed through your local Program Delivery Partner. To locate your PDP’s contact information, please visit our Find Local Support page.
We hope you found these FAQs to be helpful! Make sure to follow us on Facebook for updates throughout the season, and like and subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don’t miss any future season videos.