About FIRST LEGO League Explore
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FIRST LEGO League Explore is designed for elementary school children aged 6 to 10. Each year, students, either in teams or as an entire class, dive into an exciting topic in science and technology. Along the way, they playfully explore the world of programming using a LEGO® Education robotics set and create a motorised LEGO model.
The focus is on the FIRST Core Values, which promote respectful interaction, shared experiences, and critical thinking.
At the end of the season, teams and classes present their results at a regional exhibition, exchange ideas, and share lots of fun together!
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FIRST LEGO League Explore: Program Snapshot
Students 6 - 10 years old (Years 1 - 4)
Minimum of 1 coach required per team
Teams can be school or community-based
No matches — interactive, hands-on model building and sharing
12 Explore Festivals across Australia
1 hour time commitment per week (approx)
Robot technology is LEGO Education SPIKE Essential
Up to 6 students per team
Registrations open May 25, 2026
Season kicks off August 4, 2026
380+ teams nationally
Teams can use multiple coding languages
including Word Blocks, Icon Blocks or Python
1 National Festival in December (Sydney)
$65 (ex GST) registration cost/per team
$65 (Includes Shipping/ex GST) cost of Season Kit
Yearly budget is $700 (approx). Initial year only,
as robots parts can be used in consecutive years.
Gather your team
Each team requires at least 1 adult coache and up to 6 students aged 6-10. Students can come from a school, a group of friends, a local club, or a homeschooling network. No prior robotics experience is needed – just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Season Calendar: 2026 - 2027
May 25
Season Registrations Open
Teams can register for the 2026 - 2027 FIRST LEGO League season via the FIRST Australia Dashboard beginning May 25, 2026
August 4
Season Kickoff
The new 2026 - 2027 FLL Season launches August 4 marking the official kickoff where teams around the world tune in for the game reveal, rules and season challenge.
October
Season Registrations Close
Registrations for the 2026 - 2027 Season will close in October, marking the final opportunity for teams to sign up and be part of the program.
October - December
Tournament Season
Explore Festivals will begin in November, giving FIRST LEGO League teams the opportunity to share their team model, celebrate their learning, and showcase their ideas alongside other teams.
December
National Festival
The National Festival will take place in December bringing together FIRST LEGO League explore teams from across the country to showcase their skills.
April 28, 2027
World Championships
The FIRST Championship will take place on April 28, 2027 in Houston, Texas, bringing together top teams from around the world to compete and celebrate their achievements.
2026-2027 Season: BIOGLOW
FIRST® LEGO® League (ages 5-16, varies by country / grades K-8) introduces STEM to children through fun, hands-on challenges using LEGO® Education technology. Participants gain real-world problem-solving experiences through a guided, global robotics program.
Releasing on August 4, 2026, experience the vibrancy of the world’s ecosystems in the BIOGLOW™ Challenge. The final season of FIRST LEGO League will offer two editions (event availability, format, and timing will vary by region):
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BIOGLOW Founders Edition for FIRST® LEGO® League Explore (Grades 2-4) and Challenge (Grades 4-8), based on LEGO® Education SPIKE™ technology.
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BIOGLOW Future Edition for FIRST® LEGO® League K-2 and 3-8, based on LEGO® Education Computer Science & AI hardware.
FIRST Training and Resources
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Getting started with FIRST LEGO League Explore is easy and free with our collection of training modules, guides, and support resources for coaches, mentors, educators, and volunteers. From understanding the program and competitions to building student confidence in STEM, these resources are designed to support you every step of the way. Please note that you’ll need to create a free profile with FIRST Inspires to access the training resources below.
Role of Lead Coach
This training is designed for current and prospective Lead Coaches in FIRST® programs. It provides an overview of the Lead Coach role and responsibilities, along with recommendations and resources to help guide your team through a smooth and successful season. This training contains about 90 minutes of content.
Implementing FIRST LEGO League Explore Class Pack
This training provides an overview of ways to implement the FIRST LEGO League Explore Class Pack. It covers how to facilitate learning with student teams, room and material management, and how to run a culminating Class Pack event. This training has about 30 minutes of content.
Click here to view all FIRST training and resource modules
Costs & Registrations
To participate in the FIRST LEGO League Explore season, teams must purchase Team Registration and an official FIRST LEGO League Challenge Kit. Both are available through the FIRST Australia Dashboard. Teams will also need a LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential Robotics Set, which can be purchased from an approved Australian LEGO reseller. Cost details are outlined below.
Team Registration
FIRST LEGO League Explore Team registration includes guided materials you need to engage participants and access to purchase other supporting materials.
$65 + GST /per team
Registration for one Explore team (up to 10 students)
Eligibility to attend the National Explore Festival
Official judging and scoring, including robot performance and research project presentations
Full event experience, including:
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Dedicated team pit area
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Interaction with other teams and volunteers
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Eligibility for awards recognising innovation, teamwork, and performance
Access to the FIRST Australia dashboard, resources, and support materials
Explore Kit
To participate, teams will need to purchase the current season Explore Kit via the FIRST Dashboard or an Australian LEGO reseller.
$65 + GST /per kit*
Includes cost of shipping
A set of LEGO bricks and elements (about ~700 pieces) designed specifically for the Explore season’s challenge theme.
A facilitator/coach guide with session structure, activities, teaching tips, and steps to help teams progress through the Explore challenge.
Seasons playmat or base to build and present your models
Additional Materials
SPIKE PRIME Essentials Kit
To participate in FIRST LEGO League Explore, teams will need a LEGO® Education robotics set in addition. We recommend the LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential Set, which is specifically designed for younger learners and aligns closely with the Explore program’s playful, hands-on approach to STEM learning.
Current & Previous Season Kits
FIRST Australia has limited availability of FIRST LEGO League kits from previous seasons available for teams to purchase as practice kits before the main season or use to up-skill before competing. These kits include all LEGO needed for the field as well as the field mat. Teams will need to secure their own SPIKE™ Prime (Challenge), SPIKE™ Essential (Explore), STEAM Park kit (Discover) or equivalent.