Robotics programs

Ages 4 – 14 * Grades PreK – 8

FIRST® LEGO® League introduces STEM to children through fun, exciting hands-on learning. Participants gain real-world problem-solving experiences through a guided, global robotics program, helping today’s students, families, and educators build a better future together. FIRST LEGO League’s three divisions inspire youth to experiment and grow their critical thinking, coding, and design skills through hands-on STEM learning and robotics.
Registration Open: May – October
Challenge Release: August, Event Season: September – April
Teams: Up to 10 students for Challenge division, formed by schools, after-school programs, homeschools, community groups. Smaller, age-appropriate teams for Discover and Explore divisions.
Time Commitment: One to three-hour meetings, generally held for 12 sessions.
Estimated Cost:

• Discover: Class Pack Registration (up to 8 students) is
  $195. Reusable STEAM Park Sets start at $209.95.
• Explore: Team Registration is $125.
  LEGO® Education SPIKETM Essential: $319.95 (reusable).
• Challenge: Team Registration is $250. Challenge Set: $95.
  LEGO® SPIKETM Prime: $533.90.
• Team registration includes guides for teachers and students.

There are currently several FLL teams in Columbia, with experienced coaches who can guide you through starting a team. Contact CERF to connect with coaches and learn how we can help.

Learn more about FIRST LEGO League

Grades 7-12 · Ages 12-18

FIRST® Tech Challenge students learn to think like engineers. Teams design, build, and program medium-sized robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams.
Robots are built with reusable components, powered by Android technology, and can be coded using a variety of programming languages. Participants and alumni have access to education and career discovery opportunities, connections to scholarships and employers, and a place in the FIRST community for life.

Registration Open: May – April
Game Release: September
Event Season: October – April
Teams: Up to 15 students formed by schools, after-school programs, home schools, community groups.
Time Commitment: 90-minute to three-hour meetings, generally held twice a week for 9-12 weeks.
Estimated Cost:

• Team Registration is $295.
• Teams use a standard control and communication kit that is purchased through the team portal or from REV Robotics. All other parts can be purchased from several vendors: REV, GoBilda, AndyMark, TETRIX. A starter kit is about $1,000; all parts are reusable.
  Teams can also fabricate custom parts, in compliance with game rules.
• Rookie team grants are available from FIRST.

Currently, there are three FTC teams in Columbia, affiliated with Rock Bridge HS, Hickman HS and Jefferson Middle School.

Ages 14 – 19 * Grades 9 – 12

FIRST® Robotics Competition teams design, program, and build industrial-sized robots from scratch with a kit of parts and a common set of rules to play a different game every season. Teams also create a team identity, develop community partnerships for support, and work to promote STEM in their local community. Participants and alumni have access to education and career discovery opportunities, connections to scholarships and employers, and a place in the FIRST community for life.

Registration Open: May – December
Game Release: January
Event Season: February – April
Teams: Up to 50 students; formed by schools, after-school programs, home schools, community groups.
Time Commitment: Teams typically meet several times a week, January through April.
Estimated Cost:

• Team Registration is $6,000
• Tournament fees are $4000-6000
• Parts and materials can be ~$15,000 per year

Columbia currently has one FRC team, Army Ants team #3792. The team takes membership applications in August and typically has about 15 spots open each year.