Central Texas - Austin and Waco - FIRST LEGO League by FIRST Texas Admin

👋 Welcome to Central Texas FLL!

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 02:54:41 UTC

This board is your one-stop hub for the 2026-27 BIOGLOW season in the Austin/Waco area.

New to FLL? Read this column top to bottom.

Questions? Ask in the Central TX FLL WhatsApp group or reach out to your Regional Program Assistant, Sheel Raj Agarwal.

✅ New Team Checklist

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 02:55:14 UTC

Form a team and identify your coaches (every team needs 2 registered coaches).
Register your team at firstinspires.org. Both coaches must complete YPP training before youth members can be added to the roster.
(for Founders) Go to https://shop.firstinspires.org/ and buy Challenge registration and Bioglow set. If you don't have SPIKE kits, they are no longer available on Lego website but you can order them from FIRST using this form: https://11gi4.share.hsforms.com/2kpqSCkW5SkG3bST5l-Q59g
Join the Central TX FLL Community WhatsApp group for to collaborate with fellow FLL mentor and coaches.
https://chat.whatsapp.com/Blr7Uo65dvk2j3Nn2UWKzf
Keep an eye out on email and padlet for local events: build parties, kickoff, workshops, and scrimmages are posted in the Season Schedule column.
Reach out to your RPA (Regional Program Assistant) for any questions or support you need to get started.

🧱 -- PAST EVENT-- Community LEGO Build Party — Fri Sept 25, 6:00-8:30 PM

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 03:30:48 UTC

Ann Richards School. Help build this season's field kits! Spots are limited , please sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4BADAC2BA3F8C43-65784507-fllbuild#/

🤖 RoboClash FLL Scrimmage — Sat Nov 7, 1-4 PM

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 03:32:04 UTC

Hosted by The Lady Cans (RCF 2026), thank you for putting this together for our community! This is an unofficial scrimmage that gives a chance to FLL Explore and FLL Challenge teams to prepare for competition in a low-stress setting for both. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/RCF-2026. More scrimmages will be posted as they are announced.

⚖️ Judges & Referees Training — October 31st

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 03:32:36 UTC

Training sessions for volunteer judges and referees ahead of qualifiers, focused on fair and consistent scoring. Interest form coming soon.

🏆 Qualifier Dec 5th — Dripping Springs

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 03:32:53 UTC

🥇 Regional Championship — February 20th, Austin

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 03:33:07 UTC

Top teams from the Austin-area qualifiers advance to the Regional Championship. Date and venue to be announced.

🌟 State Championship — Sat Mar 6, Houston TX

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 03:33:23 UTC

Statewide championship in Houston, TX for teams advancing from the Regional Championship. More details as the season progresses.

🌍 World Festival — April

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 03:33:37 UTC

The international celebration of FIRST LEGO League. Top teams earn invitations through the championship season. Dream big!

💰 Team Grants Available

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 04:00:32 UTC

Need help with registration or season costs? Direct team grants are available for Austin-area FLL teams thanks to a generous sponsor. Apply: https://www.firsttx.org/grants

🛡️ YPP & YPT Training Explained

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 04:03:35 UTC

Both coaches must complete YPP (Youth Protection Program) screening in the FIRST dashboard, plus the new YPT training module added this year. Complete these BEFORE adding youth members to your roster; some coaches found store purchases also unlock only after training. If the system still shows incomplete after finishing, log out and log back in.

FIRST LEGO League Registration & Participation Guidelines

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 04:05:40 UTC

FLL Challenge team members must be at least 9 years old or in 4th grade at registration. Need an exception? Email texasinfo@firstinspires.org with your team number and the reason.

🧩 Founders vs Future Edition

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 04:06:47 UTC

Texas runs the Founders Edition this season, which is the BIOGLOW challenge. Future Edition has one planned Texas event in Temple, with advancement details expected in October.

Not sure which fits your team? Please read "Do I register for Future or Founders Edition?"

🔍 Looking for a Team? Have Room on Yours?

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 04:07:59 UTC

Looking to join an FLL team, or have open spots on yours? Post in the Central TX FLL WhatsApp group with your area and student's grade, and the community will help make the match.

Competition Advancement Model in Texas

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 04:17:05 UTC

🤖 Equipment: What Robot Kit Do You Need?

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 04:19:04 UTC

Any LEGO SPIKE Prime, SPIKE Essential, EV3, or MINDSTORMS kit works for FLL Challenge. SPIKE sets retired June 30, 2026 but stay competition-compatible through the 2028-29 season. Need to buy a kit? Use this request form: https://11gi4.share.hsforms.com/2kpqSCkW5SkG3bST5l-Q59g or ask in the WhatsApp group, kits are often bought and sold locally.

📄 Challenge Updates (Rule Clarifications)

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 04:25:24 UTC

Official updates and clarifications to the Robot Game rules, refreshed through the season (last updated Sept 2). Print and keep with your rulebook.

Team Meeting Guide

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Robot Game and Missions Scoring

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 04:46:04 UTC

Learn about the BIOGLOW Founders Edition Robot Game and Missions in this video.

Preparing for your Event

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 04:47:39 UTC

BIOGLOW Founders Edition Field Setup

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 04:48:29 UTC

In this video, you'll learn how to set up the BIOGLOW Founders Edition field.

Official Robot Game Scoring Calculator

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 04:53:34 UTC

Judging Session Flow

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 04:59:27 UTC

Judging Session Rubrics

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 05:03:28 UTC

Innovation Project Rubric

Robot Design Rubric

🙋 We Need You! Volunteer Interest

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 20:49:33 UTC

It takes 20+ volunteers to run each FLL event, and we have 7 this season across Austin and Waco. Judges, referees, and event-day helpers all welcome, no experience needed. A volunteer interest form is coming soon; until then, post in the Central TX FLL WhatsApp group or message Sheel to get on the list.

⚖️ What Do Judges & Referees Do?

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 20:49:59 UTC

Referees score robot game matches at the competition tables. Judges meet teams in judging sessions to review Robot Design, Innovation Project, and Core Values using the rubrics in the Judgement Day column. Training is provided before events (sessions planned for November), so no experience is required, just enthusiasm for kids and robots.

Checkout all volunteer roles here

🧱 First Opportunity: Build Party, Sept 25

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 20:50:20 UTC

Your first chance to pitch in: help build the season's field kits on Friday, Sept 25 at Ann Richards School. Planning to referee? Grab a Field Model QA slot to get hands-on with the missions before anyone else. Sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4BADAC2BA3F8C43-65784507-fllbuild#/

🎓 Students: Earn Volunteer Hours

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 20:50:39 UTC

Middle and high school students can earn volunteer service hours at build nights, scrimmages, and competition events. Older students and FLL alumni make great referees and youth mentors. Under-18 volunteers are welcome at most roles with adult supervision. Ask about opportunities in the WhatsApp group.

🎨 Color Key

sheelraj — 2026-09-14 20:59:32 UTC

🟡 Yellow cards = community-hosted events.

🟢 Green cards = official FIRST events.

sheelraj — 2026-09-15 02:01:45 UTC

Many helpful links on this PDF across all aspects of FLL Challenge for teams and coaches.

sheelraj — 2026-09-15 02:07:54 UTC

www.FLLTutorials.com

www.ev3lessons.com

www.primelessons.org

Python Links

sheelraj — 2026-09-15 02:11:09 UTC

https://fssfll.github.io/fssfll/spike/lessons/beginner/

⁠https://agent6.github.io/SpikePrime2025FLL/lessons/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

FIRST Volunteer Resources

sheelraj — 2026-09-15 02:14:22 UTC

Looking to form or join a team

sheelraj — 2026-09-15 17:09:57 UTC

If you are looking to join an FLL team, or have open spots on yours please reach out to the other coaches and mentors on the Central TX Community FLL WhatsApp group or attend the local community events.

-- PAST EVENT-- Judging Training Day | Sat Oct 10

sheelraj — 2026-09-15 22:55:56 UTC

Ann Richards School, Austin. Bring your robot for feedback time with referees, plus practice judging sessions pairing new judges with veterans. Low-pressure practice for teams and volunteers alike.

Volunteer Sign up: https://my.firstinspires.org/ExpressVolunteer/landing-page/615a5bc3-bc2a-11f1-b0d3-00505699b848

FLL Teams Sign up:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4BADAC2BA3F8C43-66012861-stem?useFullSite=true#/

-- PAST EVENT-- FLL Season Kickoff | Sat Sept 26, 9 AM-12 PM

sheelraj — 2026-09-15 23:05:12 UTC

Ann Richards School, Austin. Free for coaches, mentors, and volunteers; students welcome. Season overview and region updates, robot game missions at a built field with referee Q&A, plus workshops on the Innovation Project, judging, and robot design and programming. Entrance map and details coming soon.

FLL Kickoff Presentation

sheelraj — 2026-09-27 22:05:47 UTC

sheelraj — 2026-09-27 22:06:02 UTC

sheelraj — 2026-09-27 22:06:14 UTC

(Updated Oct 2) Registration and event readiness

sheelraj — 2026-10-05 22:43:05 UTC

sheelraj — 2026-10-15 18:47:59 UTC

📝 Where does your team need help? (10/14/2026)

sheelraj — 2026-10-15 18:49:34 UTC

Qualifiers are coming, and I want the support we offer to match what your teams actually need. Please fill out this pulse check, about 2 minutes, one response per team.

Your Event Get-Ready Checklist (important):

sheelraj — 2026-10-15 18:53:21 UTC

✔️ Season registration with FIRST
✔️ Two lead coaches passed YPP screening
✔️ Texas qualifying event fee

All three ☝️ get done in your firstinspires.org coach dashboard.

🏆 Qualifier Dec 12th — Lockhart

sheelraj — 2026-10-19 17:13:59 UTC

🏆 Qualifier Jan 16th — Waco

sheelraj — 2026-10-19 17:14:18 UTC

🏆 Qualifier Jan 30th — Waco

sheelraj — 2026-10-19 17:14:35 UTC