FIRST is a progression of four STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) educational programs for students in Kindergarden through 12th grades. Students develop their potential and learn "real world" applications by designing, building, and programming robots to compete on a season-specific game field or obstacle course during timed matches.
In Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL), kids ages 6 to 9 years old (grades K through 3) research a problem facing society, design and build a LEGO model with at least one moveable part, and present a poster documenting their journey. Unlike the rest of the FIRST programs, Jr.FLL is non-competitive.
In FIRST LEGO League (FLL), students ages 9 to 14 years old (grades 4 through 8) (1) design, build, and program a LEGO MINDSTORMS robots to perform autonomous missions on an obstacle course during 2 1/2 minute matches; (2) research, develop, and present innovative solutions to a challenge-specific problem confronting scientists and society; and (3) practice the FLL Core Values including teamwork and gracious professionalism.