• MCPS First Lego League Robotics Camp for Beginners

    (Sorry, camp is full)

    • Experience a shortened version of the 2024 First Lego League Challenge season.
    • August 18-22, 2025. 9am to 3pm each day.
    • For current 3rd through 7th grade MCPS students (will be in 4th - 8th in 2025-2026 school year).
    • For students who have never competed in First Lego League.
    • $150 registration fee supports MCPS High School Robotics Teams. Scholarships available.
    • Completion of this form does not guarantee space.
    • You will be contacted during the week of April 1-4 with confirmation of space available and official registration form.

    FAQ:

    Q: What will we do at the camp?

    A: Students will experience a shortened version of the 2024 First Lego League Challenge season. Teams of approximately 6 students will work together to accomplish two engineering design tasks: The Robot Game, and The Innovation Project. In the Robot Game, students will work together to build and program Lego Spike Prime robots to accomplish tasks on a 4 ft by 8 ft game board. In the Innovation Project, students will work with their team to design an innovative solution to a problem faced by ocean explorers. On the last day of camp, students will have a friendly competition in the robot game, and they will share their solutions to the Innovation Project with each other.

    Q: Who will run the camp?

    A: Coach Alec Arntzen will be the camp director. Coach Arntzen has 5 years of experience coaching First Lego League Challenge. His teams have competed on the world stage at the 2023 World Festival and the 2025 WPI Invitational. He was the Montana coach of the year in 2024, and his team earned a Core Values trophy at the World Festival in 2023.

    Q: Who will guide the student teams throughout the day?

    A: Each team will be led by a high school mentor with robotics experience. Many of the high school mentors have participated in First robotics for multiple years and have experience competing at world class events. The high school mentors will be guided by Coach Arntzen and the other adults who are participating in the free coaches' training opportunity.

    Q: Will participating in this camp help me participate in the 2025-2026 FLL season?

    A: We sure hope so! This camp will give you an excellent taste of the First Lego League experience. You'll be ready to jump into the new season in the fall! The biggest barrier to participation is finding adults to volunteer to coach teams. If you know an adult who might serve our community by being a coach or co-coach, please contact Coach Alec Arntzen as soon as possible! atarntzen@mspsmt.org

    Q: How much time will each student get working with a robot?

    A: We will have a ratio of two students for each robot (each team of 6 will use 3 robots). Students will work with a partner to build and program their robot. We will spend half of our work time on the Robot Game, and half of our work time on the Innovation Project.

    Q: What about lunch?

    A: Students will be expected to bring a sack lunch. We will provide some snacks.

    Q: How can I make sure my student has an opportunity to participate in FLL robotics next season?

    A: Volunteer to coach a team, or find a friend who will coach a team. We always have more students who are interested in participating than space available. The major limiting factor is the number of coaches. If you or a friend might be interested in volunteering to coach a team, please communicate with Coach Alec Arntzen as soon as possible! atarntzen@mspsmt.org

    Q: I am interested in the free coaches' training opportunity. How can I get more information?

    A: Please contact Alec Arntzen. atarntzen@mspsmt.org  You can start your email like this: "Hi Alec. I'm an amazing human who would like to invest in our community by volunteering to coach a First Lego League team. Please tell me about the free coaches' training opportunity at the MCPS First Lego League Robotics Camp for Beginners."

    Q: If my friend is also participating in the camp, will we be able to work together?

    A: We would love to try to make that happen, but no promises.

    Q: What if I've already participated in First Lego League? Is there an intermediate or advanced camp available?

    A: Unfortunately, we're not able to offer any additional camps at this time.

    Q: What if my question wasn't answered by any of the FAQ's?

    A: Please contact Coach Alec Arntzen. atarntzen@mspsmt.org