First Lego League Explore (Grades 2-4)
Class
Students are introduced to engineering through creative builds using LEGO® SPIKE™ Essential. Each week, they explore a real-world problem, design moving models, and share ideas in team discussions. The trimester concludes with a fun Mini Showcase, where students present their favorite projects.
Hybrid Schedule: In-Person for Robot Games and Missions, and Live Zoom Online for Innovation Projects
January 14, 21 & 28, Feb 4 & 11, March 4 & 11, 2026 - In-Person
February 18 (research | field trip week, depending on the team project).
An additional coaching fee ($695) applies to those who wish to compete in the VA-DC FLL Explore Festival. For those who want to compete, team registration opens in mid-February, and the FLL Festival dates are usually assigned to us from the end of March to the end of May 2026.
Here is the class outline:
1. Course Introduction: Lego InnovatorsWelcome students to the world of Lego Robotics! In this module, we will outline the objectives of the course, explain how Lego projects can help us explore sustainability, and discuss the exciting journey ahead. 1 section
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2. Building Basics with LegoIn this module, we will learn essential building techniques to create sturdy Lego structures and simple robot frameworks. Students will explore how basic parts connect and function in preparation for future projects. 1 section
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3. Understanding Sensors and MotorsStudents will discover how sensors gather information from the environment and how motors bring Lego creations to life. We will examine different types of sensors, motor functions, and proper assembly methods. 1 section
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4. Programming Lego Robots: Part 1This module introduces basic coding concepts for controlling Lego robots. Students will learn how to use a block-based programming environment and practice writing commands to operate their robots. 1 section
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5. Programming Lego Robots: Part 2Continuing from Part 1, we delve deeper into coding structures, loops, and conditional statements. Students will refine their programs to enhance the robots’ efficiency and accuracy. 1 section
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6. Innovation ProjectsStudents will learn how to conduct research, ask the right questions, and present their creative ideas. 1 section
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7. Collaborative Problem-Solving and Team StrategiesFocusing on teamwork and problem-solving, students will learn to brainstorm, plan, and overcome challenges. Group discussions will revolve around advanced Lego building techniques for efficient collaboration. 1 section
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8. Building Advanced Lego ModelsHere, students will apply advanced construction methods to create sophisticated Lego structures. We will discuss design stability, functional elements, and innovative ways to assemble more complex builds. 1 section
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9. Challenge: Autonomous RobotIn this culminating project, students apply all their newfound skills to design, program, and test a robot capable of responding to its environment without direct inputs. They will showcase problem-solving and creative skills. 1 section
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10. Competition-Ready1 section
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