St. Margaret of Scotland offers two lego robotics programs: First Lego League Jr. for grades K-3rd and First Lego League for Grades 4-8. Registration for both programs typically happens in October. It is essential that parents volunteer to be coaches to make this program happen. For more information, contact one of the committee leads.

FIRST LEGO League Junior: Grades K – 3rd

FIRST LEGO League Jr. is an exciting opportunity for the youngest budding scientists. It encompasses the core concepts of all FIRST programs to inspire, excite, and introduce kids to the wonders of science, technology, and engineering.

• Teaches the benefits of teamwork
• Sparks initial interest in science and technology
• Introduces basic design skills through a hands-on approach with the familiarity and fun of LEGO building
• Provides a culture of sharing and learning from others

The goal is to provide an experience that will capture young children’s inherent curiosity and creativity and direct it toward discovering the possibilities of improving the world around them through understanding, thought, planning, and technology.

FIRST LEGO League: Grades 4th – 8th

Guided by two or more adult Coaches, FIRST LEGO League teams (up to 10 members, grades 4-8) research a real-world problem such as food safety, recycling, energy, etc., and are challenged to develop a solution. They also must design, build, and program a robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS®, and then compete with it on a table-top playing field.

It all adds up to tons of fun while they learn to apply science, technology, engineering, and math concepts (STEM), plus a big dose of imagination, to solve a problem. Along their discovery journey, they develop critical thinking and team-building skills, basic STEM applications, and even presentation skills, as they must present their solutions with a dash of creativity to judges. They also practice the Program’s Core Values, which emphasize discovery, teamwork and good sportsmanship.