Resources

FLL Team Resources

season resources

View the Blast Archive – Archive of FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge team email blasts for the 2025-2026 UNEARTHEDTM season. 

  1. Society of American Archaeology – K-12 Teaching Resources for Archeological Concepts
  2. Archaeological Institute of America – Lesson Plans for Teachers
  3. Archaeological Institute of America – FLL Challenge Page
  4. PBS Nova Teachers – Anthropology/Archaeology Interactives for Students

Tutorials and Guides

Spike Prime

LEGO’s official programming environment for LEGO Spike Prime based robots. Spike Prime runs on Microsoft Windows, Apple MacOS, or via a web browser. it support both Block Coding and Python programming models.

PYBRICKS

A free Python based programming environment for LEGO Robotics. Pybricks runs in the Chrome Web Browser and works with Chromebooks, Microsoft Windows, Apple MacOS, and Linux. It can also work with Microsoft Visual Studio Code on Windows, MacOS, and Linux. There is a Block Coding version that does have a small fee. The Block Coding mode generates Python dynamically as blocks are manipulated and provides a way to transition from Block Coding to straight Python. Many FLL teams have found Pybricks to be more intuitive and reliable that LEGO’s Spike Prime Python and it has much better support for the Spike Hub’s gyroscope and multitasking (the ability to do two or things at the same time like driving forward or backward while lifting an attachment). Pybricks’ documentation is very robust. Some FLL teams have created and published robotic libraries using Pybricks.

EV3
Miscellaneous Guides & Resources
  • BrickLink Studio – LEGO’s official application for creating 3D models of LEGO-based creations. This Computer Aided Design (CAD) tool, which runs on Microsoft Windows and Apple MacOS, provides a way for teams to document and share their Robot and Attachment designs. Experienced builders might find the tool useful as a more efficient way to create new Robot and Attachment designs without having to manually build them. It can generate step-by-step instructions on how to build the design (similar to the booklet you get when you purchase a new LEGO set and the instructions used to build FLL mission models).
  • Brick Architect’s LEGO Parts Guide and Labels – Brick Architect’s Parts Guide and Labels can be used in different ways by FLL teams. First, the Labels can be used on storage pins/containers to identify contents and Brick Architect has a nice discussion on how to organize your LEGOs. Second, the parts guide in web form or printed can be very helpful with young LEGO builders looking for the “right” part for their Robot or Attachment. The Vehicle, Technic, and Electronic sections are particularly use for FLL. Remember any official LEGO part, no matter how old, is legal in FLL!
  • Python Tutorials

Suppliers, Manufacturers, and spare/Additional Lego Parts

  • Badge-A-Minit – Retailer for button equipment and supplies
  • Don’s Buttons:  Dr. Don’s Buttons is your online source for custom buttons, campaign items, lapel stickers, bumper stickers, button machines, button-making supplies… and MORE!!
  • LEGO Education – The FLL program utilizes products from LEGO Education, Each year, FLL teams purchase their Challenge Sets from LEGO Education. Teams must start by registering at FIRST INSPIRES.
  • Geyer Instructional – Lego Robotics Practice Equipment including game tables and mats
  • AndyMark – FLL’s official site for selling previous season kits. They also sell an FLL board. Previous season kits are usually a good place to get spare LEGO parts and the previous season kits can be used for training new team members. For example, if a school has two competition teams and a couple of recreational teams, previous season kits would provide a way for recreational team members to gain experience programming a robot to solve missions.
  • How to get more LEGO Parts:
    • LEGO’s Pick A Brick – This is LEGO’s official site for purchasing individual LEGO pieces. Generally the most common pieces will ship from a warehouse in the USA, however others will come from other non-USA warehouses (primarily Europe). So the lead team to get that “critical” piece could be several weeks.
    • Brick Owl – A widely used Marketplace for LEGO pieces (new and used). You pick based on price and location of the supplier. These sites are usually (but not always) more expensive than LEGO’s Pick A Brick site but delivery can be much faster. Brick Owl’s merchants can be very useful in getting official LEGO parts that are no longer made but are still legal in competition.
    • BrickLink – A another LEGO parts site. BrickLink is owned by LEGO Group.

Fundraising

Other Resources

  • ASEE – The official website for the American Society of Engineering Education
  • ASME – The official website for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
  • IEEE – The official website for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
  • NASA Robotics Alliance – An educational program designed to increase robotics expertise in the U.S.
  • SME – The official website for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers
  • SWE – The official website for the Society of Women Engineers, advocates for women achieving their full potential in engineering careers

Last updated on November 30th, 2025