Typical Seasonal Schedule
Mid May
Informational Meetings and Theme Release
Late July – early August
Challenge and Explore Sets begin to ship
August
Global Challenge Release
Mid-late September*
Team Registration Closes / Last Chance to Order Products
September - October
Training for teams and coaches
October - November
Informational Meetings and Theme Release
Late July – early August
Challenge and Explore Sets begin to ship
August
Global Challenge Release
Mid-late September*
Team Registration Closes / Last Chance to Order Products
September - October
Training for teams and coaches
October - November
- Outreach Events
- Coaches' Meetings
- Scrimmages and Judging practice
- Qualifier tournaments
- Explore Festivals
- Regional Championship - Top 72 teams in the Region advancing from Qualifiers participate in the Regional Championship.
- Regional Explore Festivals
- State Invitational Championship - Top teams from each FLL Region in Florida receive an invitation to participate in the State Championship.
- Explore Festivals
- FIRST Championship World Festival at Houston, TX
- National and International Invitational Tournaments
Event Details
General information
FIRST LEGO League Explore Teams attend Expos. Explore Teams can register for multiple Expos.
FIRST LEGO League Challenge Teams attend Scrimmages, Judging Practice and Qualifiers. Each team will submit volunteers to help at Scrimmages and tournaments. Teams can register for more than one Scrimmage event if there is space available. Teams can register for only one Qualifier event.
Teams should register for tournaments as soon as possible via the FIRST Dashboard. Teams must have at least 2 adults listed on the team roster that have gone through the FIRST background check and signed the consent and release roster. You will not be able to register for tournaments until this is done. Tournament slots are filled on a first-come, first paid, first volunteer sign up, basis. Scrimmage and Expo Registration instructions will be emailed to coaches and co-coaches.
FIRST LEGO League Challenge Teams attend Scrimmages, Judging Practice and Qualifiers. Each team will submit volunteers to help at Scrimmages and tournaments. Teams can register for more than one Scrimmage event if there is space available. Teams can register for only one Qualifier event.
Teams should register for tournaments as soon as possible via the FIRST Dashboard. Teams must have at least 2 adults listed on the team roster that have gone through the FIRST background check and signed the consent and release roster. You will not be able to register for tournaments until this is done. Tournament slots are filled on a first-come, first paid, first volunteer sign up, basis. Scrimmage and Expo Registration instructions will be emailed to coaches and co-coaches.
FIRST LEGO League Explore Expo
Expos allow teams to share their experience with interviewers and visitors. Teams receive feedback from the interviewers about their project, share-me-poster, mission model design, core values, and programming. This is not a competition. This is an opportunity for everyone on the team to share what they have learned. This type of feedback is invaluable to young people as they explore STEM topics. The earlier your child learns communication and team building skills, the more they will enjoy FIRST activities.
FIRST LEGO League Challenge - Scrimmages & Judging Practice
Scrimmages allow teams to practice running their robot in a tournament configuration and to receive feedback from the referees to make sure they understand the missions.
Judging practices allow teams AND coaches to receive verbal feedback from the judges about their research project, core values, robot design, and programming. This type of feedback is invaluable to teams hoping to enhance their performance at a Qualifier. The earlier your team receives critical feedback, the more time you'll have to improve.
Judging practices allow teams AND coaches to receive verbal feedback from the judges about their research project, core values, robot design, and programming. This type of feedback is invaluable to teams hoping to enhance their performance at a Qualifier. The earlier your team receives critical feedback, the more time you'll have to improve.
FIRST LEGO League Challenge - Qualifier Tournaments
FIRST LEGO League Challenge Qualifying Tournaments allow teams to showcase their hard-work, celebrate their season, and compete for a spot at the Central and West Florida FIRST LEGO League Regional Championship Tournament.
FIRST LEGO League Regional Championship Tournament
The Championship Tournament consists of FIRST LEGO League Challenge teams that have advanced from the Qualifiers. The region also hosts a Regional Expo for all FIRST LEGO League Explore Teams in our Central and West Florida Region.
Florida State Championship Tournament
The State Championship tournament consists of teams that have advanced from the Regional Championships.
FIRST LEGO League World Festival
Teams from across the globe gather to showcase and celebrate their FIRST LEGO League Challenge and FIRST LEGO League Explore seasons. The champions from the State Championship will advance to the World Festival. It's a highly sought after selection.
FIRST LEGO League Open Invitationals
Teams who excelled to the top rankings in the Regional Championships will have an opportunity to attend the International Open Invitationals across the nation as well as the International events. Teams will be notified of the specific events in which our region will be represented.
