FIRST® LEGO® League Explore Resources - MASTERPIECE

To find out all about FIRST LEGO League Explore watch our Webinar here. Join us for a full walk through of FIRST LEGO League Explore as we introduce you to FIRST LEGO League, Spike Essentials, Playful Learning and the FIRST Core Values.

  • Overview
  • Core Values
  • Festival
  • SPIKE™ Essential
  • WeDo 2.0
  • Downloads
  • FAQ

MASTERPIECESM


In the MASTERPIECE season, FIRST LEGO League teams will explore how they can use technology to share their passions, hobbies and interests with others while learning about how experts in a variety of creative fields use technology in their roles.


Overview

MASTERPIECE Season Teaser (video) - a first glimpse (1:55) at the MASTERPIECE theme for FIRST LEGO League 2023-24

Welcome to MASTERPIECE! (video) - a short video (3:17) from the IET giving an overview of FIRST LEGO League 2023-24

MASTERPIECE Explore Set (video) - a short overview of the Explore Set (0:58)

MASTERPIECE Explore Overview (pdf) - a summary of the Explore program


Official Documents

MASTERPIECE Explore Engineering Notebook (pdf) - a soft copy of the Explore Engineering Notebook

MASTERPIECE Explore Team Meeting Guide (pdf) - a soft copy of the Explore Team Meeting Guide


Timeline

Quick Routes (link) - suggested approach for teams with reduced time available per week


DCU Teacher Guide for Ireland

Included in your registration pack is our fantastic Teacher Guide for Ireland, developed by a team from the DCU Institute of Education.


Core Values

• Apply teamwork and discovery to explore the challenge.
• Innovate with new ideas about your robot and project.
• Show how your team and your solutions will have an impact and be inclusive.
• Celebrate by having fun in everything you do!


FIRST® Core Values, Gracious Professionalism®, and Coopertition®
 - read about these cornerstones of the FIRST philosophy
Core Values Tips (link) - tips from the IET for demonstrating Core Values

Core Values Poster (pdf) - a handy reminder of the Core Values to use in your classroom

Explore Festival


Team Poster Tips (link) - tips from the IET as to what makes a good Team Poster

Reviewing Sheet (pdf) - rubrics and questions for use by reviewers at a Festival

LEGO® SPIKE™ Essential


SPIKE App (link) - download location for SPIKE App software

Get Started with SPIKE Essential (videos) - three short videos for teachers introducing SPIKE Essential

SPIKE Essential Stock Take (pdf) - Printable stock checker for the SPIKE Essential Set

SPIKE Essential FAQs (link) - some useful information about the SPIKE Essential Hub, including colour coded error messages


LEGO® Education WeDo 2.0


WeDo 2.0 Software (link) - download location for WeDo 2.0 software

Get Started with WeDo 2.0 (videos) - five short videos introducing WeDo 2.0

WeDo Element Overview - Printable stock checker for the WeDo 2.0 sets 

WeDo 2.0 FAQs (link) - some useful information about WeDo 2.0 components and software

WeDo 2.0 Programming Blocks (pdf) - a guide explaining what each of the coding blocks in the WeDo 2.0 software does


Build Instructions

Build Instructions - Book 1 (pdf) - build instructions book 1

Build Instructions - Book 2 (pdf) - build instructions book 2


Engineering Notebook

MASTERPIECE Explore Engineering Notebook (pdf) - a soft copy of the Explore Engineering Notebook

MASTERPIECE Explore Team Meeting Guide (pdf) - a soft copy of the Explore Team Meeting Guide


Celebration Event

Reviewing Sheet (pdf) - rubrics and questions for use by reviewers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is FIRST®?

FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is an international not-for-profit organisation founded by inventor Dean Kamen in 1989. FIRST prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 that can be facilitated in school or in structured afterschool programs. Boosted by a global support system of volunteers, educators, and sponsors, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges.


Learn more here: https://www.firstinspires.org/about/vision-and-mission

What is FIRST® LEGO® League?

FIRST® LEGO® League is an international program created in a partnership between FIRST and the LEGO® Group in 1998. Each year, the program announces an annual theme, which engages teams of young people in authentic scientific research and hands-on robotics design using LEGO products.


FIRST LEGO League introduces science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to children aged 4 to 16 years. Three divisions inspire young people to experiment and grow their critical thinking, coding, and design skills through hands-on STEM learning and robotics. From Discover (Junior and Senior Infants), to Explore (First to Fifth Class), and then to Challenge (Sixth Class to Transition Year), students will understand the basics of STEM and apply their skills in an exciting competition while building habits of learning, confidence, and teamwork skills along the way. 


Learn more here: https://www.firstlegoleague.org/about

What is FIRST® LEGO® League Explore?

FIRST® LEGO® League Explore is a global STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) programme for teams of young people aged 7 to 12 years (2nd to 5th Class), to explore a real-world theme, develop teamwork, design and programming skills – and have fun.


FIRST LEGO League Explore rapidly develops teamwork, design, programming and communication skills, but the most important thing is that it is great fun and makes the children feel proud of what they have achieved!


In Ireland, Explore is open to students in 2nd Class to 5th Class. Teams of up to 4 students prepare and present their robotic model and Show Me Poster at one of our regional showcase events or at an in-school event.


Learn more here: https://fll.learnit.ie/pages/first-lego-league-explore

What is MASTERPIECESM?

MASTERPIECESM is the theme for FIRST® LEGO® League in 2023-24. In MASTERPIECE, teams will explore how they can use technology to share their passions, hobbies and interests with others while learning about how experts in a variety of creative fields use technology in their roles.

Who are the IET?

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is a multidisciplinary professional engineering institution based in the UK and dating back to 1871, with a worldwide membership in excess of 158,000 in 153 countries. The IET is the delivery partner for FIRST LEGO League in the UK and Ireland.


Learn more here: https://www.theiet.org/about/


IET Education supports STEM teachers by providing a range of resources linked to the school curriculum and partnering with organisations worldwide to create experiences that inspire teachers and students alike.


Learn more and get access to free engineering posters and other resources:

https://education.theiet.org/

https://education.theiet.org/primary/posters/

https://education.theiet.org/secondary/posters/


Who are Learnit?

Since 2010 Learnit has been on a mission to 'inspire the creators of tomorrow by making learning fun for the children of today'. We are the delivery partners for FIRST® LEGO® League in Ireland and are proud to partner with the IET on this exciting programme.


Learn more here: https://fll.learnit.ie/pages/about-us

Who is Dean Kamen?

Dean Kamen is a prolific inventor (AutoSyringe, Segway, iBOT), entrepreneur, and tireless advocate for science and technology. His passion and determination to help young people discover the excitement and rewards of science and technology are the cornerstones of FIRST, which he founded in 1989. Kamen holds over 1000 patents, but says that FIRST is the invention he is most proud of, and predicts that the 1 million students who have taken part in the contests so far will be responsible for some significant technological advances in years to come.


Learn more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Kamen

The button on my SPIKE™ Essential Hub is flashing, what does it mean?

Orange (flashing)

Your Hub's battery is running low. Connect the Hub via the USB cable to begin charging the battery.


Red (flashing)

There’s an extended load on the Hub and it's running too hot. Turn off the Hub and let it cool down for 15 minutes.


Violet / Green / Blue (flashing)

The Hub OS has been updated, and it’s restarting.


White (flashing)

The Hub is waiting to be connected.


White (steady)

The Hub is connected to your device using a USB cable.


Blue (steady)

The Hub is connected to your device using BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy).

How do I replace broken or missing LEGO pieces?

Contact LEGO Service through one of the links below, depending on your needs:


Bricks & Pieces (link) - online service to replace small numbers of missing or broken parts in new sets, or buy additional parts

LEGO Service (link) - contact form to report missing bags in LEGO Education sets; be sure to mention FIRST LEGO League Explore

What does this Icon Block / Word Block do and how should I use it?

In the SPIKE App, click on Help and then Icon Blocks or Word Blocks to get a complete description of all of the blocks that are available.

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