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Join the First LEGO League Challenge Team
Now Accepting Applications for 5th Graders
Dear D103 Fifth Grade Families,
FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) Challenge is an internationally recognized robotics and innovation friendly competition. Students learn to apply science, technology, engineering, and math concepts (STEM), plus a big dose of imagination, to solve a problem. Problems are given as missions of a LEGO robot game. Along their journey, students develop critical thinking and team-building and presentation skills, as they must present their solutions with a dash of creativity. The thrilling, sports-like challenges build self-confidence and collaborative problem-solving skills and have a proven and lasting impact on STEM learning and interest.
Learning Fund Foundation (LFF) is forming a team for the first time in district D103 which will participate in the FLL Challenge Competition. We are seeking 8 highly committed fifth graders to join our FLL Challenge team. The team will explore real-world problems and unearth hidden worlds through robotics design, innovation, and teamwork.
Team Selection & Readiness Expectations
Complete and submit the team application form by Thursday, August 28, 2025, 11:59 pm CST. Applications will be reviewed by the LFF team. (Updated 08-29-2025 SUBMISSIONS ARE CLOSED)
Once the team is finalized, we will:
Follow up with a confirmation email
Provide next steps for registration and fee payment
Weekly schedule and calendar are given below.
Space is limited, so please submit your application by the deadline
Applicants must be:
At least 9 years old and no older than 14 years old as of January 1, 2025.
Passionate about robotics, problem solving, and teamwork
Self-driven, focused, and enthusiastic learners who can work independently
Participation Fee
A $250 per student non-refundable participation fee will be collected upon selection which includes national team registration, Illinois team and qualifier registration, robot equipment/program material, work book, scrimmage participation, and a team T-shirt.
Weekly Commitment & Calendar
If your child is selected, weekly Thursday meetings will run from September 4, 2025, through February 12, 2026. Each session will be held from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Half-Day School. Parents should drop off children at 6:00 p.m. and pick them up promptly at 8:00 p.m.
Meeting Dates:
Sep’25: 9/4, 9/11, 9/18, 9/25
Oct’25: 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/30
Nov’25: 11/6, 11/13, 11/20
Dec’25: 12/4, 12/11, 12/18
Jan’26: 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29
Feb’26: 2/5, 2/12
Important: These sessions are mandatory. Please do not apply if your child cannot commit to being on time and present for the full 2-hour session. We are looking for students who are committed to this opportunity. Frequent absences or late arrivals may result in losing the seat.
If the team qualifies at the qualifier level in December, subsequent competitions may occur between December and February. Please be prepared to keep select Thursdays in December through February open for potential advancement rounds.
Student Work Expectations
In addition to the weekly meetings, team members will be expected to complete some independent work at home. This may include research for their innovation project, programming practice, or refining their presentation and teamwork skills. We expect the commitment to extend beyond the 2-hour sessions, and students should plan to dedicate additional time during the week to stay on track.
Two adult coaches and a LFF team member will be supervising the team, and students are expected to follow their guidance. Consistently following team rules helps ensure a positive experience for everyone, and serious or repeated violations may result in removal of the student from the team.
Parent Commitment
We kindly ask that all participating families be available to:
Provide a snack and a water bottle for their student
Support full attendance and punctuality
Please note that parents are not permitted inside the school—only drop-off and pickup are allowed.
Assist in logistics for team for field experiences when needed
Provide transportation to competitions or scrimmages when needed
Learn More About FLL Challenge
If you'd like to explore more about the program, check out these helpful links:
Official FLL Challenge page: https://www.firstlegoleague.org/
Theme for 2025–2026: "UNEARTHED" overview: https://www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2025-2026-season
If you're interested in applying for a spot on the team, please submit the team application form by Thursday, August 28, 2025, 11:59 pm CST. (Updated 08-29-2025 SUBMISSIONS ARE CLOSED)
With excitement,
D103 LFF Team
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