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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 2011 Snack Attack season

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Jr.FLL Teams

Teams can begin registering on the national Jr.FLL website on August 2, 2011. Jr.FLL National Team Registration will be $25 for a team of up to 6 kids. The Jr.FLL challenge is based on the FLL theme for the year. In 2011 the theme is Food Safety. The Jr.FLL Challenge is named Snack Attack and the FLL Challenge is Food Factor.   Jr.FLL team members usually 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 registration/ $30 for OMSI Jr.FLL Expo

Team Materials: Any LEGO that you own can be used for the Jr.FLL Project model. Teams can also purchase the optional kits; base kit or a We-Do kit . Teams also create a low-cost "Show Me" board to document their team experience and project. This is usually a tri-fold board found at office supply stores.

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.
FIRST also offers a team matching service called FIRST TeamUP!

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.

Jr.FLL Expos

OMSI Jr.FLL Expo Coordinators: Stephanie Bryan, ORTOP Volunteer and Kristin Bayans, OMSI Vernier Tech Lab Lead Educator
Columbia Gorge Community College Expo Coordinators: Susan Wollf, SGCC and Cathy Swider, ORTOP

The culmination of the Jr.FLL program is participation in a Jr.FLL 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 or at the Columbia Gorge Community College in The Dalles. 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 $30 per team. This a different charge than the national registration fee.

We expect even more Jr.FLL teams to participate in Oregon in 2012. 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 14, 2012 at Liberty High School, Hillsboro. Teams may also choose to attend the Expo at the Columbia Gorge Community College where Susan Wollf and her team are planing fun science adventures as part of the festivities. .

OMSI Jr.FLL Expos -
Expo #1 - March 17, 2012 at OMSI
Expo #2 - March 18, 2012 at OMSI

Columbia Gorge Expo
Expo #3 - April 14, 2012 at Columbia Gorge Community College, The Dalles

Registering for the Expo is seperate from registering at the national Jr.FLL website. All nationally registered Jr.FLL teams in Oregon and SW Washington, nationally registered by February 15, will be emailed an invitation to register for the OMSI Jr.FLL Expo. Teams will be assigned to an Expo in order that they were received by using the online time stamp. Approximately 40 teams will be assigned to each day.


Too far away from Portland to attend the Jr.FLL Expo? Teams are welcomed to create their own Jr.FLL Expo for other teams.Questions? contact jrfll.oregon@gmail.com