For those interested in learning more about FIRST LEGO league . . .

[Jackie in AR]

I've just blogged about my sons' experiences on their current year team.

They had a great year!

[Jane in NC]

We loved FLL! Unfortunately my son aged out and we could not find enough kids who could make the commitment this year. (We had the robot, the adult coach and two fifteen year old mentors ready to go!) Now we are interested in moving up to Vex, the next level of the First organization. Anyone with any experience?

[Jackie in AR]

We have a couple of kids who just completed their last year with FLL; maybe they'll return next year as mentors.

I'll be interested to see any replies about Vex.

[Kim in TN]

That looks so fun! I wish we had something like that around here. :( My boys would LOVE it!

[Susan M in WA]

We did a year of VEX. It was quite different for the kids after doing FLL. The kids really enjoyed building a robot to complete the challenge, but they were not prepared for the defensive strategies needed during the actual matches.

The VEX game is more closely related to the large robots. We did our game the first year that VEX was available and my team was disappointed in the lack of programming, but I think that has been improved now. The FIRST programs are amazing and my girls are glad to have participated. We did FLL for 5 years and VEX for 1 year. Currenly, we volunteer at the FLL tournaments and the FRC Regional event.

[A home for their hearts]

wow! This looks like something my ds7 would really enjoy. How do you get involved?

[Jackie in AR]

wow! This looks like something my ds7 would really enjoy. How do you get involved?

Do you have a local homeschooling group? If so, I would try contacting someone in leadership and asking if they know of anyone who has a team.

Or, you (or anyone) can start their own team. I think all the info you need is on the FLL site.

We first learned of FLL through some friends when their oldest son had just started participating; they are now the leaders of our team. All our team members are currently homeschooled, but, of course, it doesn't have to be that way. The majority of the teams in our state tournament are school teams.

[Susan M in WA]

wow! This looks like something my ds7 would really enjoy. How do you get involved?

In addition to looking for local resources already involved in FLL, contact the kids working on the larger robots. Many of the high school teams help to start new FLL teams and act as mentors.

Start at the website and see where the teams and events are in your area.