At the Middle School, we do the FLL Challenge. Learn more at this link.
What is the FIRST LEGO League?
2026 – 2027 Theme Teaser
FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge Division Program
2026 – 2027 FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge Division Program
Please read this carefully, as we have made some changes to how the program will run.
Also, since FIRST and LEGO have ended their partnership, this will be the last year we offer FLL in its current format. Because it is the final year, past FLL members will have first priority for the two teams.
Durham Academy will share details about the next robotics program for 2027-2028 after we review our options.
To join the fall program, you need to have done the FLL Challenge before, be taking or have finished the MS Robotics class, or have other robotics competition experience. You also need approval from Mr. Schaefer.
Being part of FIRST LEGO League takes a lot of time and effort. Every member is expected to help with all parts of the season, including the Robot Game, the Project, and showing the FLL Core Values.
If you are not ready for this level of commitment, we recommend enrolling in the MS Robotics Afterschool Enrichment program. This class will help you build the skills needed for future robotics teams.
New 26 – 27 FLL Challenge Teams Overview and Philosophy
We aim to include all interested students on FLL teams, and our teams usually have fun while learning to work together and compete. In the past, having too many teams made it hard to support everyone and keep teams competitive. Also, some students were not fully committed, which made it harder for their teams to do well and enjoy the experience.
Because of this, we have changed how we form and manage FLL teams. Our goal is to help motivated teams do their best, with support from staff and parents. There will be only two FLL Challenge teams this year, with a maximum of five students per team. Mr. Schaefer and Mr. Polk will decide who will be on teams based on past performance and recommendations from Ms. Mack.
We ask that only students and parents who are fully committed sign up.
We also acknowledge that some students want to learn to build and program autonomous robots, but are not interested in the other parts of the FLL season. Those students should enroll in the MS Robotics Afterschool Enrichment class. This class will utilize various types of robots and provide diverse coding opportunities. Melissa Mack, who is the Digital Learning Director, will teach the class.
Coaches: In previous years, we relied on parent volunteers to support the FLL Challenge teams. This year, Durham Academy faculty will serve as Lead Coach and Assistant Coach. Parents can still help if they want, but DA coaches will handle all team management and practices. Mr. Schaefer will continue as the FLL Administrator and will support coaches and teams. We will focus on making sure students do the work themselves so they learn new skills and practice core values.
Durham Academy staff members Karl Schaefer, Donovan Polk, Michelle Preslik, and Ms. Bluj will assist Mr. Schaefer this year in supporting and guiding teams. We expect a few Youth Adult Mentors (YAMs) from the Upper School to join us again as part of their outreach work on the FRC team, DARC SIDE.
Participation Costs:
The registration fee for joining a team or group in the DA Middle School FLL Robotics fall program is $500. This covers FIRST registration, t-shirts, buttons, and pays our DA staff. Durham Academy provides all equipment. Parents should send snacks for their children if needed.
2026 Season Practice Sessions:
- Wednesdays, 8/26 – 12/16 (15 potential meetings not counting Sundays)
- There are also practice sessions available on Sundays from 2:00 to 5:00. Coaches will decide when teams meet and will be present during practices.
- Scrimmages and qualifying tournaments will take place from mid-October through the first week of December. These events are on Saturdays or Sundays. Parents should save these dates on their calendars once they are announced.
- If teams qualify, the State Tournament may be held in mid-December or early January 2027.
- There will be no class on 11/11 (Early Dismissal for Professional Development) and 11/25 (Thanksgiving).
- Practices will be held in the Gateway STEAM Design Studio, Room 1127, from 3:15 to 5:00 pm.
- Pick-up will be at the University Drive/Gateway carline.
Mr. Schaefer may choose not to invite or may dismiss any student or parent who does not meet these expectations. If someone is dismissed after the standard After-School Enrichment refund window closes, a refund is not guaranteed.
Coaches:
Durham Academy staff members Donovan Polk, Allison Bluj, and Michelle Preslik will help Karl Schaefer support and guide the teams. We also expect a few Youth Adult Mentors (YAMs) from the Upper School to join us again as part of their outreach with the FRC team, DARC SIDE.
Mr. Schaefer is the Lead Learner for STEAM by Design and has been helping children learn and have fun since 1993.
Mr. Polk is a DA Technology Systems and Support Specialist, a long-time robotics enthusiast, and a coach.
Ms. Preslik is DA’s Mobile Device Administrator and a creative artist.
Ms. Bluj is a math teacher and a former FIRST coach and mentor.
If you meet these requirements, please contact Karl Schaefer at karl.schaefer@da.org.Dismissal does not result in an automatic refund after the standard Afterschool Enrichment refund window closes.
In FLL, children complete tasks such as programming an autonomous robot using a LEGO SPIKE Prime set to score points on a thematic playing surface and creating innovative solutions to problems, all while guided by the FLL Core Values. These three elements — the Robot Game, Project, and FLL Core Values — make up the yearly “Challenge.” Teams will also consult with experts in fields related to the yearly challenge.
The FLL Challenge Team competes at a high level in all aspects of the FLL season. All members fully participate in the robot design and game innovation project research, including outreach to field experts related to your team’s innovation project for interviews.
These teams attempt to qualify for the state tournament and typically score as ‘Developing’ or ‘Accomplished’ on the FLL Innovation Project and Robot Design scoring rubric matrix (PDF).
To be on the team, students and parents must pledge to meet the significant time commitment and effort required to be a high-functioning, competitive team. Team members will be invited to participate based on their efforts and core values demonstrated during the previous year. Participation requires prior FLL participation or successful completion of the MS Robotics program. The FLL Challenge team is often appropriate for committed students in the 6th grade and higher.
Team members are expected to participate and contribute to all aspects of the season. In addition to meeting during the week, students will have assignments between meetings and additional weekly and weekend meetings as the competition dates approach. Parents could support the team beyond transporting their students to weekly practices and weekend meetings. Additional parental support roles include assisting with field trips and volunteering at regional and state events.
Attendance Expectations: Team members are expected to attend every practice session and fully engage in all aspects of the season, such as the robot design, robot game, innovation project interviews, and research, while building the core values (Teamwork, Inclusion, Impact, Discovery, Innovation, and Fun) that are at the heart of FLL.
Attendance at Events: All team members and parents should block out the days below. Members will be expected to attend the scrimmage and one qualifier based on the tournament’s location and team choice. Although it is encouraged, not all teams need to attend the same qualifier.
- The Bull City Scrimmage is typically held on the third Saturday in October. Teams are encouraged to attend.
- Local FLL Challenge qualifying tournaments are typically held on the 2nd and 3rd Saturdays in November and the 1st Saturday in December.
- Teams may qualify for the state tournament, usually on the 2nd Saturday in December.
Learn more about these roles at the new FIRST training site to learn what those roles require. https://www.firstinspires.org/mentoring-and-coaching/story.html