Get Involved - Start A Team

Several of the school districts are providing support for teams in their areas.  Ask your school administration if they would like more information about FIRST Robotics and we will happily provide a presentation. Teams are formed in schools, libraries, churches, YMCAs, and community groups.  Parents can form teams and serve as coaches/mentors. Teams can be formed in all areas of the community within our 16 county region for West Florida.

There are a few hardship grants available for teams in the West Florida Region.  
Please email Desh Bagley to find out the process for applying for a hardship grant.  

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How do I start a team?

• How to Start a Team 
  • Choose the applicable option for the students
    • FIRST LEGO League Explore (Ages 6-10)
    • FIRST LEGO League Challenge (Ages 10-14)
  • Click Here: Information to start a FIRST® LEGO® League Team 
• FIRST TEAM Management Resources
  • Click Here: FIRST LEGO League Explore
  • Click Here: FIRST LEGO League Challenge
• Mindstorms Tutorials - Tutorials from STEMcentric for programming and using any LEGO Mindstorms kit - including the EV3!
• EV3 Tutorials - Developed by the DROIDS FLL robotics team.

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How do I find a team?

FIRST encourages educators, parents, and volunteers to form teams for interested kids.  Schools, scouts, churches, friends, and family members are able to form teams for young people to join. Our region does not place children on teams.  

Pinellas/Pasco County - Sandra Jackson - USF St. Pete Campus 
SouthWest Florida - Bente Brauer  and Tina LeFreniere
Sarasota / Manatee / DeSoto County  - Neirda LaFontant and Kelli Kennedy
Hillsborough County - Saru Selvan - Engineer
Collier/Lee County - Brittany Robbins - FIRST LEGO League JR
Head Referee - Carol Conner - Engineer
​Judge Advisor - Rae Vinson - Systems Analyst

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Still have questions?

Visit our Contact Us page for more contact information.