REACT sponsors and supports teams in each of the leagues below. We sponsor both school-based and community-based teams throughout Allegany County. If you would like to join, coach, or sponsor a team, please reach out to us through any of the means on our contact page.
FIRST Tech Challenge
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The FIRST Tech Challenge is sponsored by LEGO and is designed for teams of 7th-12th graders. F.T.C. teams are tasked with designing, building, coding, and operating robots using reusable kits and Java based programming. Teams are then able to compete in head-to-head competitions with the opportunity to advance to state and international level championships. The F.T.C. season generally runs from October to March.
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FIRST LEGO League Challenge
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FIRST LEGO League Challenge is also sponsored by LEGO and is geared for teams of 4th-8th graders. F.L.L. teams design, build, and code robots using LEGO components and software to accomplish themed missions. Teams are also required to perform a research/innovation project on the overarching theme and present their findings and solutions. Finally, teams are able to participate in regional qualifiers with the opportunity to advance to state and international level championships. The F.L.L. season generally runs from September to January.
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FIRST LEGO League Explore
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FIRST LEGO League Explore follows the same theme as F.L.L. Challenge but is geared towards teams of 2nd and 3rd graders. Explore teams design, build, and code projects using LEGO components and LEGO WeDo software to accomplish themed lessons. Teams are able to showcase their projects at F.L.L. Challenge regional qualifiers but do not participate in any competitive events. The F.L.L. Explore season generally follows the Challenge season but can be accomplished in a shorter time period if needed.
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Maryland 4-H Robotics Engineering Challenge
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The 4-H Robotics Engineering Challenge is sponsored by the University of Maryland Extension Office and 4-H and is very similar to the FIRST Tech Challenge. Robots can be constructed from a variety of robotic platforms. The first 30 seconds of the challenge are performed by the robots autonomously. The final 2 minutes are driver controlled through wireless controls. Teams are also interviewed by a panel of judges, answering questions about robot construction, team work and community activities. 4-H uses the following age divisions: Juniors (ages 8-10), Intermediates (ages 11-13), and Seniors (ages 14-18). Teams compete at the Allegany County Fair for the opportunity to advance to the State Fair. The 4-H season generally runs from April to early July.
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Maryland State 4-H LEGO Challenge
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The 4-H LEGO challenge is sponsored by the University of Maryland Extension Office and 4-H and is very similar to FIRST LEGO League. Like F.L.L., teams use LEGO components and software to accomplish themed missions. However, 4-H differs from F.L.L. in that it consists of a community service project in place of a research/innovation project and it uses age divisions: Juniors (ages 8-10), Intermediates (ages 11-13), and Seniors (ages 14-18). Teams compete at the Allegany County Fair for the opportunity to advance to the State Fair. The 4-H season generally runs from April to early July.
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CoderZ League Junior
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CoderZ League is a 100% virtual competition where teams of students use Blockly to learn to program virtual LEGO EV3 robots to accomplish missions and to collaborate and compete in challenges. In the preliminary stage (October), students scores are combined with their team scores and tracked on a live leader-board. In the group stage (Late November), teams are placed into groups and play against each other in an interactive multiplayer challenge. The top 2 teams of each group will go on to play in the playoffs (December). Winning playoff teams may then advance to a regional and then a world finals (January). CoderZ League Junior is recommended for 5th-8th graders.
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Coaches' Corner |
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Designs and building instructions for LEGO Spike Prime and EV3 robots
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Coding lessons & tutorials for LEGO Spike Prime
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Coding lessons & tutorials for LEGO Mindstorms EV3
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Information & resources for teams participating in F.L.L. Maryland
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Slideshow from the REACT Coach's Clinic
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General information and resources from FIRST LEGO League
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Multimedia Resources for FLL Submerged
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FLL Challenge season downloads & links for building mission models, practice session slideshows and so much more
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FLL Explore season downloads & links for lesson slides, multimedia resources and more. Be sure to click on Explore division block for Explore resources.
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Microsoft MakeCode block coding for EV3. Requires EV3 firmware of 1.10 or above.
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Information and resources for Maryland 4-H STEM programs
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Design a LEGO project and print or share directions for building (Software also available as a download)
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Gearsbot: Blockly & Python based simulator featuring fully codable & configurable virtual robots as well as virtual worlds. Highly recommended for advanced F.L.L. team members.
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Information and resources from FIRST Tech Challenge, the next step in youth robotics. Geared for upper middle and high school ages.
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Helpful Coaching Documents |
FLL Explore Recruitment Flyer
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FLL Challenge Recruitment Flyer
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FLL Permission Slip Template
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