According to FIRST policy, FIRST Illinois Robotics can't give out any contact information relating to teams including coach names, meeting location, emails, etc. In short, we can’t directly help you get in contact with existing teams.
That said, with hundreds of teams in Illinois, there is likley a team near you. You can contact local schools, libraries, and youth organizations to ask if they have teams your student can join. You can click HERE for a list of last year's Illinois FLL teams to perhaps find some information to help you in your search. If you would like to have your contact information sent to coaches in your area, please send an email to fllchallenge@firstillinoisrobotics.org
FIRST offers some assistance in reaching out to teams or other people looking for a team through the FIRST Forums. Perhaps you can make contact with another individual like yourself and together you can form a new team. FIRST has a national database of teams that you can search too.
Coaching can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. One key goal of FIRST Illinois Robotics is to make it as easy as possible to form a new team and get started with the FIRST LEGO League.
FIRST Illinois Robotics plans coach training sessions every season to help new (and experienced) coaches learn to successfully lead FLL teams. You can click HERE to see upcoming offerings.
During the summer there are Robot Camps that kids can attend to get firsthand experience building and programming a LEGO robot. And during the season there are workshops and scrimmages to help new and experienced teams get ready for the tournaments.
If it is your rookie year, enjoy it for what it is: a survey of the course. Your goal should be to simply take a lap around the block with FIRST LEGO League Challenge. With a fun experience and meeting realistic goals under your belt, you and the students will be brimming with ideas about what to do next year. Whether or not your team scores high marks at a tournament, team members win by participating and gaining valuable experience.
You are not in this by yourself! Recruit an assistant coach, mentor(s), parents and guest speakers to help. Others can help with team communication, host meetings, contribute technical expertise, lead fundraising and provide additional adult supervision. Try to plan a meeting schedule that accommodates the participation of other adults.
Click HERE to start your FIRST LEGO League Challenge experience!
A team consists of:
The cost of participation in FLL generally ranges from ~$1200 for new teams to ~$600 for returning teams. A sample budget is below:
Optional Items:
Your team’s other expenses may include: office supplies, snacks and travel expenses.
Once the challenge is released (August 1st), a team typically meets once or twice a week for about two hours. This depends on the age (and thus ability to maintain focus), and other time constraint issues. Separate technical and administrative coaches can significantly reduce the work load of running a team and increase the fun for the kids and adults.
May: National Team registration and materials ordering begins.
July 15th: Illinois Qualifying Tournament Registration opens
August: Challege is formally released!
September 15th: Illinois event preferences become available for selection
October 15th: National Registration closes (or earlier if all slots are filled)
October 15th: Illinois Qualifying Tournament Registration Closes
November 1st: llinois Qualifying Tournament Assignments are available. Log in to your IL dashboard to see your team assiggnment.
Late November – December: Illinois Qualifying Tournaments take place
January: Illinois State Championship Tournaments