FIRST LEGO League Challenge is a research and robotics experience offered to children ages 9-16. It combines the fun of technology and science with the exciting atmosphere of a sports event. Challenge makes it easier for children and young people to access scientific subjects and to awaken their motivation to learn an engineering or IT profession at an early age.
In a team, the participants work for several weeks like real engineers on a joint project. They plan, program and test a fully automatic robot, do research on a topic of their choice and create a presentation of their results. The coaches do not need previous technical experience because the children do all the work. "The work is programming an autonomous robot (using the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® robot set) to score points on a thematic playing surface, creating an innovative solution to a problem as part of their project, all while being guided by the FLL Core Values." The FLL Core Values are maintaining friendly competition and working as a team. FLL is a good starting place for kids wanting to be part of FIRST. " With over 20,000+ teams in over 70 countries, FLL is constantly expanding."
FIRST LEGO League Challenge annually gives the teams new challenges and thus has a lasting impact on the development of various skills – throughout several years. The students gain valuable practical experience with complex technologies and improve their problem-solving skills – all with a lot of fun and imagination! 
The Pitt Pirates are actively involved in developing FLL in Eastern North Carolina. Not only do we hold an annual FLL Regional Tournament in Greenville, NC, but we host/run an annual scrimmage, provide education and support to coaches through coaches clinics, and have also set up an FLL grant opportunity to assist in developing new teams. The Pitt Pirates have held an FLL Regional Tournament in Pitt County for seven years. The first one was in 2013 with the game theme Nature's Fury.
In 2019, the Pitt Pirates hosted the SEVENTH Annual Pitt County FLL Regional Competition and the challenge was CITY SHAPER. We also continued our collaboration with Ace Benefactors (FLL #16168) to host a coaches clinic for the third year and run a pre-competition scrimmage for the second year. We also collaborated to offer area coaches local weekly meetups during the FLL season called Coaches Chatting over Coffee Sessions. This new initiative aimed at givee area coaches support throughout the season. We answered questions coaches had about anything from team management to preparing for competition.
As you can see, we are committed to growing FIRST East of 95! If you would like to form a team, see grant information below.
FLL GRANT:
The Pitt Pirates are looking for people who want to start MORE FIRST teams. In fact, we'll help fund your team. Groups in Eastern North Carolina, who need some help can apply.
Learn more about our FLL Grant >
FLL Teams
The Pitt Pirates have assisted, mentored and/or funded through the years many teams. We are committed to furthering FIRST and exposing more children East of 95 to STEM. Please contact us for a full list.
