Registration Deadline, Explore FIRST® LEGO® League Expo: March 6, 2026
Scholarship Deadline, Explore FIRST® LEGO® League: February 6, 2026
Randolph Build Challenge Registration Deadline: February 22, 2026
Expo Schedule on 3/22 during Maker Faire Lynchburg:
- 1p-2p – LEGO® builds on display for public viewing in Smith Banquet Hall
- 2p-3:30p – FIRST® LEGO® League Explore Challenge Judging
- 4p – Awards Ceremony in Smith Hall Theatre
General Information
Our LEGO® Expo is designed with two build challenge opportunities for our local elementary school aged students. The Expo is open to kids age 6-10, but we typically find that kids in grades 2-4 are best suited for this event.
FIRST® LEGO® League Explore gives early elementary school students (ages 6-10) the chance to practice and showcase their engineering skills while they explore science and technology concepts. This year, as part of the “UNEARTHED FIRST LEGO LEAGUE EXPLORE” challenge, each team will explore concepts from life beneath the surface of the ocean and use their STEM and collaboration skills to reflect on the complex ecosystem found there. Teams build a LEGO® model and a Show Me Poster which they present to judges from the Lynchburg community at the Expo on Sunday of SciFest weekend (March 22). The judging is non-competitive, and each team is recognized for a particularly strong aspect of their project. Coaches are supported each step of the way with a team meeting guide designed for 12 meetings. If needed, the schedule can be easily compressed. Please join us at our FIRST® LEGO® League EXPLORE Expo to share your students’ STEM talents at our fun and non-competitive, community event!
Registration is Open!
In order to participate, complete this form. Randolph’s FIRST® LEGO® League Expo is 12:30-4:30PM on Sunday, March 22, part of the Randolph College Science Festival which features lots of hands-on activities for all ages! Registration for the Expo is open until March 6, but we encourage teams to start building in January. Randolph scholarships for materials are available until February 6.
The Expo is free, but teams will need to register with FIRST® to get the challenge materials ($125 plus shipping and handling per team). In addition, each team will need either a WeDo 2.0 robot kit or a LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential kit ($320 plus shipping and handling). Randolph College will purchase loaner LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential kits for teams who do not have access to one and cannot afford to purchase one. We also have scholarships available to cover the cost of registration with FIRST® for any team that cannot afford this. We do not want cost to be an obstacle for any team that wants to participate. The registration form for the Expo includes the application for the scholarship. Scholarship applications are due by February 6.
Alternative Small Build Challenge
We know that some groups and individuals will be looking for a small-scale challenge. Similar to our competitions over the last few years, we are excited to continue an alternative, smaller build challenge provided fully by the Randolph College Science Festival. This challenge is intended to be completed within a shorter build time, and all registrants will receive material kits by us. This challenge is ideal to incorporate into the classroom.
This year’s Build Challenge – LEGO Boat! To sign-up to receive a kit(s) (1 per student), please complete the form at this link, and specific further instructions will be sent to those participating. In general, the challenge will be to build a creative LEGO® tower that:
- May be any shape but must be smaller than, and fit within the confines of, a standard size shoebox.
- Can float at least 1″ above the bottom of water in a container (tub, kiddie pool, sink, etc.).
- Must support the weight of a penny or similar weight objects (3 paperclips, a nickel, buttons, etc.).
- was built using only the materials provided in the kit (each kit may contain different LEGO® bricks and pieces).
We’ll deliver kits by the end of February, and video/picture submissions of successful achievement will be due by Friday March 13. Students can do this challenge independently (with a parent to help with sign-up), or as part of a class. There will be a show-and-share table during the Expo, but no official presentation of builds.
Certificates of successful achievement, and additional earned achievement prizes will be awarded during the Awards ceremony at the LEGO® Expo event on March 22.
Contact
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns by contacting Margaret Blount (mblount01@randolphcollege.edu) and PLEASE SHARE this information with colleagues who may be interested in joining in the fun. As always, you can also reach out to us at scifest@randolphcollege.edu.