Challenge
Real engineering. Real science. Real teamwork. A competition program for students aged 9–16 who want to build, code, and solve real-world problems.
Passion for STEM — built through challenge.
FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge is designed for students aged 9 to 16. Each year, participants work for several weeks — either as a team or as a class — tackling a shared project like real engineers.
They plan, design, and program an autonomous LEGO® Education robot, conduct research on a self-chosen topic, and create a presentation of their findings.
FIRST® Core Values — respectful interaction, shared experiences, and critical thinking — are at the heart of the program. After weeks of preparation, teams compete in regional and national tournaments to present their solutions.
Team, class,
or school — you choose.
FLL Challenge offers two ways to participate: as an independent team or as a whole school class, with the program integrated into the curriculum.
Participation as a Team
A team consists of 2 to 10 children aged 9 to 16 and is guided by at least one adult coach, such as a teacher or parent. Teams can form at schools, libraries, clubs, or privately.
Over a period of at least 12 weeks, students meet regularly to research, build, and program together. At the end of the season, teams present their results at a regional qualifier, where judges evaluate them across multiple categories.
The best teams qualify for the national championship held in spring 2027.
Team size
2–10 students, aged 9–16
Coach required
At least 1 adult mentor per team
Duration
Minimum 12 weeks of preparation
Path to nationals
Regional qualifier → national championship
Cost
Free for all Finnish teams in 2026/2027
Participation as a Class
For school classes with up to 30 students, FLL Challenge offers a flexible and comprehensive solution. Teachers can integrate the program into regular lessons, extracurricular activities, or elective courses, allowing the entire class to work in small project teams.
Students collaboratively research the annual theme and build and program LEGO robots. The project culminates in an internal school competition where students present their results.
Classes may also nominate a selected team to compete in an official regional tournament — giving students a chance to connect with others and showcase their projects to a wider audience.
Class size
Up to 30 students per class
Curriculum integration
Can be integrated into regular lessons
Kits needed
3–5 SPIKE™ Prime sets recommended
Internal final
School-level showcase event at end of program
Register anytime
School classes can register year-round
Registration
Registration for the 2026/2027 BIOGLOW™ season is open now. Team registration closes at the end of October 2026, subject to regional capacity.
School classes have the flexibility to register year-round and can integrate the program into their curriculum independently of tournament dates.
Participation in Finland is free of charge for the 2026/2027 season, made possible by our sponsors and Aurora Math ry.
Questions? Contact us at league@auroramath.fi
Team registration open
Now — closes end of October 2026
Class registration
Open year-round
Season kickoff
August 4, 2026 — game release day
Regionals
November–December 2026
Nationals
Spring 2027
Everything your
team needs to compete.
We aim to make participation as easy as possible. Here's what you'll need to get started.
Challenge Set
The Challenge Set includes LEGO bricks, building instructions, and a playmat. Brick models are placed on the mat to create the environment where your team's robot operates.
Each team and class requires their own Challenge Set. We also provide accompanying guides for coaches and students — digitally for teams, printed booklets for classes.
Place your order through Tevella →SPIKE™ Prime
Robotics Set
To participate, you will need a LEGO Education robotics set in addition to the Challenge Set. We recommend the LEGO Education SPIKE™ Prime Set — perfectly aligned with the program's requirements and educational curriculum.
Teams require one set, while 3 to 5 sets are ideal for classes. The set is reusable across future FLL seasons and other STEM projects, offering a wide range of building elements and learning units.
Alternatively, the LEGO Education EV3 or NXT Robotics Set is also permitted. Contact us if you need help finding suppliers.
The Game Table
The Challenge Set playmat and LEGO models need to be placed on a special table with a border — ensuring your setup is stable and matches competition conditions.
We provide free building instructions for both a sturdy standard table and a practical foldable version, so you can easily set up and pack down your playing field wherever you train.
Download foldable table instructions →Challenge Set overview
Six ways teams
earn recognition.
At a tournament, teams are evaluated by judges and referees across six categories. The focus is always on the learning process, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.
Robot Game
Scored based on the robot's performance on the Challenge game field — completing missions autonomously within the time limit.
Innovation Project
Evaluated on the quality of research, the innovation of proposed solutions, and the creativity and clarity of the team's presentation.
Robot Design
Judges assess how innovative, robust, well-constructed, and effectively programmed the robot is — including the team's design process.
Core Values
Recognizes teams that demonstrate enthusiasm, gracious professionalism, and exceptional respect for other teams and participants.
Coaching Award
Celebrates coaches who show outstanding commitment and dedication to guiding and developing their team throughout the season.
Champion's Award
Awarded to the team with the best overall performance across all categories — the highest honor at a FLL Challenge tournament.
Developing problem-solvers through real science.
In FLL Challenge, participants dive playfully into the world of science and technology. By designing and programming, they develop problem-solving skills, strengthen team spirit, and nurture their curiosity.
Students gain confidence, learn to collaborate under pressure, and leave with a love of learning that goes far beyond the competition floor.
About Aurora Math ry →FLL Challenge
in action.
What teams explore
this season.
Marine Ecosystems
Bioluminescent creatures of the deep sea and ocean health.
Forest Biodiversity
How forests host thousands of species and why diversity matters.
Microorganisms
Tiny glowing organisms and their role in larger ecosystems.
Bioinspired Tech
How nature's light inspires sustainable technologies and innovations.
Plant Life
Plant diversity, pollination networks, and ecosystem resilience.
Pollinators & Insects
The vital role insects play in sustaining biodiversity.
Climate & Change
How climate shifts affect ecosystem diversity and balance.
Urban Biodiversity
Creating space for nature in cities and towns.
Common questions.
Join the FLL Challenge!
Sign up now and dive into the exciting world of science and technology.