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Junior FIRST LEGO League

Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL) is a hands-on program designed to capture young children's inherent curiosity and creativity and direct it toward discovering the possibilities of improving the world around them. Jr. FLL utilizes theme-based Challenges to engage kids in research, problem solving, and introductory engineering concepts. The cornerstones of the program are its Core Values, which emphasize contributions of others, friendly sportsmanship, learning, and community involvement.

Each annual Challenge has two parts, the Poster and the Model.  Working at their own pace in teams of up to 6 and guided by at least one adult coach, kids:

The culmination of all that hard work for many teams is the participation in an event. Events for Jr.FLL are hosted, organized, and managed by the community. This means anyone is able to run an event for Jr.FLL teams, including you! The event can be similar to a science-fair type atmosphere, with the kids discussing their project with volunteers and other teams. The event experience is all about recognizing the Jr.FLL teams and celebrating their achievements. We encourage all teams to share what they have done with others, with just family or at an event.


Important links on the national Jr. FLL website for the 2010 BODY FORWARD season

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Jr.FLL Teams

Teams can begin registering on the national Jr.FLL website on August 3, 2009. A Team Website Access Pass (registration) will be $25 for a team of up to 6 kids. The Jr.FLL challenge is always based on the FLL theme for the year.  Jr.FLL team members are expected to spend approximately one month exploring, investigating, designing and building a model made with LEGO bricks and elements. In conjunction, teams create a "Show Me" poster that depicts the teams’ experience during this process, through drawings and words. To provide new coaches an idea what teams did previously, please click here to see the the 2007 "Power Puzzle" Jr.FLL Challenge.

COSTS: $25 for national team access pass (registration) / $25 for ORTOP/OMSI Expo

Team Materials: Any LEGO that you own can be used for the Jr.FLL Project model. Teams can also purchase the optional base kit . Teams also create a low-cost "Show Me" board to document their team experience and project.

ORTOP can not place your child on an existing team or connect you with an existing team. We suggest that you start your own team. Click here for information how to start a Jr.FLL team.

Jr.FLL Coaches

Any interested and motiviated adult can be a Jr.FLL coach. Special technical skills are not needed. Coaches decide when to meet. Usually Jr.FLL teams meet only once a week. Coaching duties can be shared by several adults. The Jr.FLL website will provide detailed support for coaching a Jr.FLL team.

OMSI Jr.FLL Expo @ OMSI: Dates to be determined

OMSI Jr.FLL Expo Coordinators: Stephanie Bryan, ORTOP Volunteer and David Perry, OMSI Vernier Tech Lab Lead Educator

The culmination of the JFLL program is participation in a JFLL Expo. The Expo is not a competition but instead gives the children a place to celebrate their achievements. The Expo includes time to enhance the teams’ current models and show their poster, meet with friendly "Reviewers" to share their experiences, and receive team recognition for their efforts.

Nationally registered teams from Oregon and SW Washington will be invited to attend the ORTOP Jr.FLL Expo at OMSI in Portland. Teams can also set-up and hold their own Expos in their own communities. The cost of participating in the OMSI Jr.FLL Expo is $25 per team. This a different charge than the national registration fee.

We expect even more Jr.FLL teams to participate in Oregon. The Jr.FLL Expo will be held at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) in early 2010. OMSI is very excited to host our Jr.FLL teams. They are planning a fun Jr.FLL Expo with added OMSI inspired activities. Jr.FLL teams will also be invited for "backstage" tour of the Intel Oregon FIRST LEGO League Championship presented by Rockwell Collins on January 15, 2011 at Liberty High School, Hillsboro.

Too far away from Portland to attend the Jr.FLL Expo? Teams are welcomed to create their own Jr.FLL Expo for other teams.The official Jr.FLL Expo event guide will be released on August 2nd. .Questions? contact jrfll.oregon@gmail.com