--- title: Programs --- [Skip to content](https://www.firstinalabama.org/programs#main-content) [![FIRST in Alabama](https://www.firstinalabama.org/hs-fs/hubfs/fia-logo-1.webp?width=1345&height=373&name=fia-logo-1.webp)Homepage](https://www.firstinalabama.org?hsLang=en) - [About Us](https://www.firstinalabama.org/about-us?hsLang=en) - Events - [Upcoming](https://www.firstinalabama.org/events?hsLang=en) - [Current Season Results](https://www.firstinalabama.org/event-results?hsLang=en) - [Media](https://www.firstinalabama.org/media?hsLang=en) - Resources - [Email Archive](https://www.firstinalabama.org/email-archive?hsLang=en) - [Meeting Notes](https://www.firstinalabama.org/meeting-notes?hsLang=en) - Support Our Mission - [Get Involved](https://www.firstinalabama.org/get-involved?hsLang=en) - [Donate](https://www.firstinalabama.org/donate?hsLang=en) - [Contact Us](https://www.firstinalabama.org/contact-us?hsLang=en) - [Blog](https://www.firstinalabama.org/blog?hsLang=en) - [About Us](https://www.firstinalabama.org/about-us?hsLang=en) - Events - [Upcoming](https://www.firstinalabama.org/events?hsLang=en) - [Current Season Results](https://www.firstinalabama.org/event-results?hsLang=en) - [Media](https://www.firstinalabama.org/media?hsLang=en) - Resources - [Email Archive](https://www.firstinalabama.org/email-archive?hsLang=en) - [Meeting Notes](https://www.firstinalabama.org/meeting-notes?hsLang=en) - Support Our Mission - [Get Involved](https://www.firstinalabama.org/get-involved?hsLang=en) - [Donate](https://www.firstinalabama.org/donate?hsLang=en) - [Contact Us](https://www.firstinalabama.org/contact-us?hsLang=en) - [Blog](https://www.firstinalabama.org/blog?hsLang=en) COMPARE # OUR PROGRAMS ![FIRST LEGO League Explore](https://www.firstinalabama.org/hs-fs/hubfs/FLL-RGB_Explore-vert-icon-full-color.png?width=80&name=FLL-RGB_Explore-vert-icon-full-color.png) ![FIRST LEGO League Challenge](https://www.firstinalabama.org/hs-fs/hubfs/FLL-RGB_Challenge-vert-icon-full-color.png?width=80&name=FLL-RGB_Challenge-vert-icon-full-color.png) ![FIRST Tech Challenge](https://www.firstinalabama.org/hs-fs/hubfs/FIRSTTech_IconVert_RGB.png?width=80&name=FIRSTTech_IconVert_RGB.png) ![FIRST Robotics Competition](https://www.firstinalabama.org/hs-fs/hubfs/FIRSTRobotics_IconVert_RGB.png?width=80&name=FIRSTRobotics_IconVert_RGB.png) ***FIRST*® LEGO® League Explore** (Ages 6 to 10 *or* 2nd through 4th Grade) Guided by adult coaches, and *FIRST*® Core Values, students use LEGO® elements and motorized parts to build a model that moves. They also develop a team poster to illustrate their journey. Each registration supports a team of 2-6 children formed by a school, after-school program, home school, or community group. Teams meet for one-hour meetings generally held for 8-12 weeks, culminating in a Festival event! **Season Timeline** Registration Opens: To Be Announced Season Launch: Early August The challenge and game change every year - [learn about this season's challenge](https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/fll/game-and-season)! **Estimated *FIRST* Program Cost**\* - Team Registration – $150 (includes Explore Set, Team Meeting Guide, Engineering Notebooks, *FIRST* registration) - LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential - *discontinued* *Note: The LEGO Education SPIKE Essential has been discontinued by LEGO Education as of June 30, 2026. New teams will need to source a SPIKE Essential (or equivalent) if they do not have one already. Please reach out if you have questions.* ***FIRST* in Alabama Season Fees** Teams are invited to participate in Festival events to conclude their season. Teams are eligible to participate in at least one *FIRST* in Alabama Festival for a $25 registration fee per team per event. **Beyond 2026-2027** *FIRST* LEGO League will be no longer exist following the 2026-2027 season (see [FIRST & LEGO Education Partnership Update](https://community.firstinspires.org/first-lego-education-partnership-update)). We will be sharing updates from *FIRST* regarding the development of a new K-8 program as they become available. You can follow those updates yourself at [FIRST K-8 Programs: 2027 and Beyond | FIRST.](https://www.firstinspires.org/programs/k-8)    [Start a Team]({type=EXTERNAL,%20content_id=null,%20href=https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/fll/start-a-team,%20href_with_scheme=https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/fll/start-a-team}) [Find a Team]({type=EXTERNAL,%20content_id=null,%20href=https://www.firstinspires.org/team-event-search#type=teams&sort=name&programs=FLLJR&country=USA&stateprov=AL,%20href_with_scheme=https://www.firstinspires.org/team-event-search#type=teams&sort=name&programs=FLLJR&country=USA&stateprov=AL}) ***FIRST*® LEGO® League Challenge** (Ages 9 to 14 *or* 4th through 8th Grade) Teams design their own solution to a real-world problem and build autonomous LEGO® SPIKE™ Prime robots that perform a series of missions based on an annual theme. Teams consist of 2-10 children and are formed by schools, after-school programs, home schools, or community groups. Teams generally meet in two-hour sessions at a time for 10-15 weeks. All registered teams are eligible to compete the in the official Alabama tournament structure! **Season Timeline** Registration Opens: To Be Announced Season Launch: Early August The challenge and game change every year - [learn about this season's challenge](https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/fll/game-and-season)! **Estimated *FIRST* Program Cost**\* - Team Registration – $285 (includes Team Meeting Guide, Engineering Notebooks, *FIRST* registration) - Challenge Set – $95 (includes mission models and mat) - LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime – *discontinued* *Note: The LEGO Education SPIKE Prime has been discontinued by LEGO Education as of June 30, 2026. New teams will need to source a SPIKE Prime (or equivalent) if they do not have one already. Please reach out if you have questions.* ***FIRST*** **in Alabama Season Fees** All teams are eligible to participate in *exactly one (1)* official qualifier event. The qualifier registration fee is $105 per team. Teams advancing from a qualifier event are eligible to participate in the Alabama Championship. The registration fee for the Alabama Championship is $160 per qualifying team. **Beyond 2026-2027** *FIRST* LEGO League will be no longer exist following the 2026-2027 season (see [FIRST & LEGO Education Partnership Update](https://community.firstinspires.org/first-lego-education-partnership-update)). We will be sharing updates from *FIRST* regarding the development of a new K-8 program as they become available. You can follow those updates yourself at [FIRST K-8 Programs: 2027 and Beyond | FIRST.](https://www.firstinspires.org/programs/k-8) [Start a Team]({type=EXTERNAL,%20content_id=null,%20href=https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/fll/start-a-team,%20href_with_scheme=https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/fll/start-a-team}) [Find a Team]({type=EXTERNAL,%20content_id=null,%20href=https://www.firstinspires.org/team-event-search#type=teams&sort=name&programs=FLL&country=USA&stateprov=AL,%20href_with_scheme=https://www.firstinspires.org/team-event-search#type=teams&sort=name&programs=FLL&country=USA&stateprov=AL}) ***FIRST*® Tech Challenge** (Ages 12 to 18 *or* 7th through 12th Grade) Teams design, build, and program their robots to compete in a 2v2 alliance-format with and against other teams. Robots are built from a reusable platform, powered by Android technology, and programmed using Java or a visual, blocks-based language. Teams are formed of up to 15 students from schools, after-school programs, home schools, or community groups. Teams generally meet for two-to-three hour meetings held at least twice a week for 18-20 weeks. All registered teams are eligible to compete in the Alabama tournament structure! **Season Timeline** Registration Opens: To Be Announced Kickoff (Game Release): Early September The challenge and game change every year - [learn about this season's challenge](https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/ftc/game-and-season)! **Estimated *FIRST* Program Cost**\* - Team Registration – $350 - Robot Kit of Parts – $1500 (reusable) ***FIRST*** **in Alabama Season Fees** All teams are eligible to participate in at least one (1) official qualifier event. The qualifier registration fee is $50 per team. Teams advancing from a qualifier event are eligible to participate in the Alabama Championship. The registration fee for the Alabama Championship is $150 per qualifying team. Additional event types (scrimmages, build days, workshops, etc.) are hosted by *FIRST* in Alabama at no cost to teams. [Start a Team]({type=EXTERNAL,%20content_id=null,%20href=https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/ftc/start-a-team,%20href_with_scheme=https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/ftc/start-a-team}) [Find a Team]({type=EXTERNAL,%20content_id=null,%20href=https://www.firstinspires.org/team-event-search#type=teams&sort=name&programs=FTC&country=USA&stateprov=AL,%20href_with_scheme=https://www.firstinspires.org/team-event-search#type=teams&sort=name&programs=FTC&country=USA&stateprov=AL}) ***FIRST*® Robotics Competition** (Ages 14 to 18 *or* 9th through 12th Grade) Teams of students build and program a robot to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors, and are challenged to design a team brand, and hone teamwork skills. Teams are formed of 10 or more students from schools, after-school programs, home schools, or community groups. Teams meet throughout the year, but robot build season runs January through April! **Season Timeline** Registration Opens: To Be Announced Kickoff (Game Release): Early January The challenge and game change every year - [learn about this season's challenge](https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/game-and-season)! **Estimated *FIRST* Program Cost**\* - Team Registration - $6,500 (includes one competition event, one local kickoff event, seasonal kit of parts, associated materials and support). For the 2027, this includes a Systemcore unit for **all** teams. - Additional Event Registration (optional) - $3,200 ***FIRST* in Alabama Season Fees** *FIRST* Robotics Competition teams do not have any participation fees due to *FIRST* in Alabama. [Start a Team]({type=EXTERNAL,%20content_id=null,%20href=https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/start-a-team,%20href_with_scheme=https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/start-a-team}) [Find a Team]({type=EXTERNAL,%20content_id=null,%20href=https://www.firstinspires.org/team-event-search#type=teams&sort=name&programs=FRC&country=USA&stateprov=AL,%20href_with_scheme=https://www.firstinspires.org/team-event-search#type=teams&sort=name&programs=FRC&country=USA&stateprov=AL}) [![FIRST in Alabama](https://22604016.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/22604016/hubfs/FIRST-Regional-AL-h.png?width=240&height=67&name=FIRST-Regional-AL-h.png)](https://www.firstinalabama.org?hsLang=en) For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology Fast Links [About Us](https://www.firstinalabama.org/about-us?hsLang=en) [Upcoming Events](https://www.firstinalabama.org/events?hsLang=en) [Media](https://www.firstinalabama.org/media?hsLang=en) [Get Involved](https://www.firstinalabama.org/get-involved?hsLang=en) [Email Archive](https://www.firstinalabama.org/email-archive?hsLang=en) [Meeting Notes](https://www.firstinalabama.org/meeting-notes?hsLang=en) [Contact Us](https://www.firstinalabama.org/contact-us?hsLang=en) [Donate](https://www.firstinalabama.org/donate?hsLang=en) [Blog](https://www.firstinalabama.org/blog?hsLang=en) [Donate](https://www.firstinalabama.org/donate?hsLang=en) --- 12103 Comanche Trail, Huntsville, AL | [info@firstinalabama.org](mailto:info@firstinalabama.org) | (256) 469-0598 Copyright © 2025 *FIRST*® in Alabama. 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