FLL Explore Teams

FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Explore is the group of programs open to students 6-10 years old (typically in grades K-3). The FLL Explore. PIE3 and the Robo-Lions have hosted Expos, which are opportunities to showcase the projects for teams each winter until the pandemic. We hope to return to this sort of event by 2023.

Guided by adult coaches, FLL Explore is a great entry point into robotics. All Teams in PIE3 are open to any student in public or private school or homeschooled. The teams can use LEGO WeDo 2.0 or the newest kit, called Spike Essential.

PIE3 supports teams by loaning materials, assisting with registration costs, providing training and connecting coaches in the region. Teams are not generally open to new members unless two coaches are available and seeking members to balance a team. Teams can be as small as 2, or as many as 7 members.

PIE3 FLL Explore Teams for the 2024-2025 Season

We are very pleased to have found some new partners willing to coach teams in their respective schools or communities.
Look for current team photos soon!
Carroll County Public Schools has returned programs to many elementary schools in for 2022. Contact your school principal to see if your school is planning to have one or more teams. Any parent, grandparent or willing adult can coach at team. Contact Us inquire for details.

In September, 2021 we began the process of rebuilding school and community teams. We need volunteer coaches, and can provide training and materials. PIE3 has NO facilities for teams, and there are no teams in the community to join - new teams must be able to help recruit coaches. Check with your elementary or middle school principal about whether your school will have a team, and how the members will be selected. Expect schools to have one, possibly two team, limited to under 10 members per team.

The 2022 Season is underway for FLL Challenge. We welcome questions about the possibility of teams forming in 2023. FLL Explore teams can still get started, as late as March or April of 2023.

The initial response from parents is to be concerned that coaching FLL requires some experience or skills they don't have. Coaches are not expected to know all about the robot, the rules, or how to run a team. We recommend finding two other adults to share these roles, and 5-8 kids who want to work as a team:

Someone willing to guide kids through the rules and learning about the Mindstorm robot (Challenge) or the WeDo 2.0 (Explore)
Someone with patience and organizational skills to guide kids in some research and sharing of the Poster (Explore) or Project (Challenge)*
Someone to help with the logistics, such as scheduling meetings, helping with costumes or tshirt designs, and the all-important snacks

*The Project for FLL Challenge is very unique and brings out the creative problem-solving ability in team members, and also develops presentation and communication skills.

Individual training for coaches can be arranged. To find our more or to be invited to coach meetings, contact us!