GENERAL CHALLENGE QUESTIONS
What to do first if you want to Coach a Challenge team?
You need to recruit at least 2 team members, we recommend at least 4 team members for a true team experience.
How old must kids be to participate in a Challenge team?
They must be between ages 9-16, on the 1st of January of the year they want to participate.
How many learners can be in a Challenge team and how many are recommended?
Teams can have up to 10 team members, although we recommend at least 4-6. For 2 learners it’s just to much work, but on the other hand, with 10 learners in a team it is really difficult to keep them all equally engaged, at all times.
What space does a team need for practice?
A meeting space to set up the 1.3m x 2.5m playing field, some work surfaces like a table or desk and internet access for their computer/laptop.
Does a coach need any technical background?
Something that are unique about FIRST LEGO League: Anyone can be a coach. We really mean it! There’s no technical background needed!! Any person that is willing, to put in time and is willing to learn together with the kids can be a Coach.
What time commitment is needed, to coach a Challenge team?
Many teams practice only once a week for 2 hours, but some teams have 2 practice sessions a week. Practice sessions shorter than 2 hours, are usually not so productive and teams working like this will struggle to finish the work for the FIRST LEGO League Challenge competition in time.
Can a team use a secondhand computer or laptop?
Yes, a second hand laptop can be used. It will work great specially for teams with a limited budget.
What can a team do before the Challenge is released?
- Create a team identity – name, logo, team shirts, mascot
- Fundraising or apply for grants – to pay for team shirts, any tournament fees, registration fee, ext.
- Learn how to use your Robot Kit and make sure your team understand how the programming work
- Put together the Field Setup Kit
- Begin researching the Challenge theme for the Innovation Project
- Learn the FIRST Core Values
- Start to mentor a FIRST Lego League Discover or Explore Team
- Help promote the FIRST mission,
- HAVE FUN! (Well, you certainly should have fun AFTER the Challenge is released too.)
EVENT/TOURNAMENT
How can a team participate in a Challenge Event/Tournament?
To participate every team must register at https://firstsa.org/fll-team-registration/
Can Challenge Playing Fields be shared with other teams?
Yes, more than 1 team can practice on the same Playing Field.
Do teams need to bring their own Mission Models to the Game Tables?
No, Game Tables will have all the right Mission Models, only if the Game Rules specify that a team need to bring a specific Mission Model – for example the Innovation ?
Will the Mission Models on the Competition Tables be the same as those the teams have practice on?
Yes, it will be build from the same Building Instructions document.
Must teams provide their own poster/display boards?
Yes.
Will teams have a specific place at the Competition to put up their display?
In the Pit Area, there will be a specific space allocated to a team, where they can put up their display, for the duration of the Competition.
What must a team bring to an Event/Tournament?
What to bring to Challenge Tournament
How will a team know what time their Judging Sessions or Robot Games will be on Competition Day?
Teams will receive the full Time Schedule and Program for Competition day.
Will teams be allowed to practice on the Competition tables?
Only 1 official practice round will be allowed on the Competition Tables (it will be on the schedule). Other practice tables, in the Pit Area, will be available for last minute test runs and program changes. ∗ Remember other teams will also need to use these tables!
Are spectators allowed at the Competition and what will the entrance fee be?
Yes, spectators are allowed and entrance will be free.
∗ Spectators will be allowed at the Robot Games and in the Pit Areas, but not in the Judging sessions.
Will food be supplied to teams on Competition Days?
No, teams must provide their own food.
Can food be bought at the Competition Venue?
Usually there will be a Cafeteria on site. Confirmation about this, will be given closer to the Competition date.
LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3
Where can I buy a Lego Mindstorms EV3 robotics kit?
You can buy these sets from SA LEGO Education retailer: Hands on Technologies.
How much will I have to pay for the EV3 Software?
EV3 software is free.
Where can I find the link to download the EV3 software?
https://education.lego.com/en-us/downloads/mindstorms-ev3/software
Can I use a tablet to program an EV3?
We don’t recommend using a tablet, because the screen is so small, it will be more difficult to read your program
What are the system requirements to download EV3 software?
Mac | Windows 10 | Chromebook | Android Tablet | Fire Tablets | iPad | |
EV3 Software version | 1.1.1 | 1.2.2 | 1.2.142 | 1.2.71 | 1.2.92 | 1.11.2 |
Processor | 1.5GHz Intel® Core Duo | 1.5GHz Intel® Core Duo | 1.40 GHz dual-core processor | 1.5 GHz processor | Android 4.2 | iPad 2 |
RAM | 4GB | 4GB | 4GB | 1GB | ||
Available disk space | 2GB | 2GB | 2GB | 2GB | ||
Bluetooth | 4.0 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | ||
Operating system | macOS Mojave 10.14 | Windows 10, (version 1803) | Chrome OS version 50 or above | Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean | iOS 8.0 | |
Extra | Internet connection | Internet connection | Internet connection | 8” display | Compatible tablets: Kindle Fire HDX WAN (2013) Kindle Fire HDX (2013) Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 WAN (2013) Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 (2013) Fire HDX 8.9 WAN (2014) Fire HDX 8.9 (2014) Fire HD 10 (2015) Fire HD 8 (2015) Fire HD 10 (2017) | |
Firmware update compatibility: Version 3.14 to update your EV3 Brick via EV3 Programming. | NB Not all Android tablets are supported – check with Lego Education first |
Lego Education Spike Prime
Where can I buy a Lego Spike Prime robotics kit?
You can buy these sets from SA LEGO Education retailer: Hands on Technologies.
How much will I have to pay for the Spike Prime software?
Spike Prime software is free.
Where can I find the link to download the Spike Prime software?
https://education.lego.com/en-us/downloads/spike-prime/software
Can I use a tablet to program a Spike Prime?
You can use a tablet. We don’t recommend it, because the screen is so small, it will be difficult to read your programs.
We are struggling with our Spike Prime! Where can we find some troubleshooting info?
What are the system requirements to download LEGO® Education SPIKE™ App?
Mac | Windows 10 | Chromebook | Android Tablet | iPad | |
Processor | 1.5GHz Intel® Core Duo | 1.5 GHz Intel® Core Duo | 1.40 GHz Intel Celeron 2955U dual-core processor | 1.5 GHz processor | iPad Air 2 iPad Mini 4 |
RAM | 4GB | 4GB | 4GB | 3GB | |
Available disk space | 2GB | 2GB | 3GB | 3GB | |
Bluetooth | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | |
Operating system | macOS Mojave 10.14 | Windows 10, (version 1803) | Android 7.0 | Android 7.0 | iOS 13 |
Extra | Internet connection – to download updates and in-app content and access teacher support material | ||||
Google Play Store access required (Android App – on Chromebook) | 8” display | ||||
What does a team do once the Challenge is released in August?
Team needs to go through the FIRST Lego League RePlay Challenge information – see the Season page! They must learn the Game Rules and make sure they understand what the Innovation Project is about.
Then it’s GO…… Research, programming, ext. Let the the Team Meeting Guide help you and your team, through the season journey.
ROBOT GAME
Can Challenge Playing Fields be shared with other teams?
Yes, more than 1 team can practice on the same Playing Field.
Where can we find the Robot Game Rules?
The Robot Game Rulebook will be your primary source of information on the Robot Game. Be sure to go through the Challenge Updates regularly!!
Why is it so important to look at the Challenge Updates?
The Challenge info will be updated continually throughout the season to clarify questions FIRST received from teams. It is important to keep up to date with these changes, specially of the Robot Game Rules, as these rulings can affect how your team programs their robot and plays their Robot Game.
Where can we find the Challenge Updates?
How many Robot Game rounds will a team get on Competition Day?
Teams will get 1 official practice round (the score doesn’t count) on the tournament tables. Then they will compete in 3 Robot Game rounds, on the official tournament tables, only the best score of the 3 rounds, will count.
Can the new Mindstorms Robot Inventor kit be use for the Challenge Robot Game?
Yes
Can non-Lego materials be use to build the robot and attachments?
No, only genuine Lego, in there original form can be use.
CHALLENGE CLASS PACK
How does Challenge Class Pack work( in short)?
Usually it is planned for a group of 30 learners, divided into 5 teams of 6 learners, at one school or centre. The Coaches will receive a Team Meeting Guide to help them with every session and each participant will receive an Engineering Notebook. Further it will work precisely like the FIRST Lego League Challenge with a Robot Game and Innovation Project. After 12 weeks/sessions there will be a Celebration Event (Competition) and it will be held at the same venue where they had practice. Participants will also receive medals.
Why will it be better to do the Challenge Class Pack option?
Class Pack teams doesn’t have to travel to some other venue for their Competition, they can do at the same place where they had practise. No travelling to Regional venues and extra travelling costs. Also more learners at one school, can do robotics at the same time.
Can the Challenge Class Pack program be implemented into a school curriculum?
Yes, you can! FIRST have drawn up some implementation plans, using the Challenge Engineering Notebooks to guide educators. Different implementation time-plans are available: Challenge Curriculum Scope and Sequence
CHALLENGE GRANTS
Are there grants available for Challenge teams?
Yes, to apply, the Grant Application Form must be filled in and submitted. Both Class Packs Programs and single Challenge teams can apply – with special focus on our under-served communities.
Where can we find the Grant Application Form?
In the FIRSTSA Grant document there will be a link to the Application Form link. Please read through the document before applying.
Will there always be Grants available?
No, it will depend on how much Grants FIRSTSA can managed to secure. We all know how difficult it is to get sponsorships, but we hope to get some more.
How will we know if new Grants are available?
New Grant documents will be loaded on this website, as soon as new grants are available.