A Powerful Learning Experience from FIRST LEGO League Challenge

For our homeschool, one of the most transformative programs in terms of academics, creativity, and teamwork has been FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge.

Not a textbook.

Not a curriculum.

Not our trips to local places such as Springs Preserve or DISCOVERY Children's Museum.

During the 2025/2026 UNEARTHEDᵀᴹ season, the impact became unmistakably clear.

What Is FIRST LEGO League Challenge?

“FIRST is the world’s leading youth robotics community, delivering hands-on STEM learning that inspires innovation, builds confidence, and prepares kids for life” (FIRSTinspires.org).

FLL Challenge is not just robotics, it’s full-spectrum learning combining:

• Robotics and coding

• Real-world research and innovation

• Public speaking and communication

• Teamwork and problem-solving

Why FLL Works So Well for Homeschoolers

The Allsparks, a FLL Challenge community team, started in 2024.

During the 2025/2026 UNEARTHEDᵀᴹ season, we experienced growth, challenges, and success beyond anything we expected.

Our team includes homeschool students and a public-school student. Coordinating schedules was sometimes difficult, but homeschooling provided the flexibility that made participation possible.

This season, the team:

• Visited Ice Age Fossils State Park

• Spoke with experts in archaeology

• Conducted a science experiment for their Innovation Project

• Practiced their presentation skills

• Spent long hours building Spark-E, our robot, and coding

  
  

FLL Challenge provided collaboration, deadlines, competition, and the opportunity to present their work to judges and experts, all while having fun.

A Memorable Moment

The team created a handmade banner, coloring it together and burning through markers. In a moment that truly captured the spirit of inclusion, The Allsparks walked through the pit area during the Southern Nevada Championship, inviting every team, along with FIRST staff and volunteers, to sign it. Before long, the banner was filled with kids’ names, coaches’ names, and team numbers/names. At the closing ceremony, it was lifted and held by teams across the floor, a powerful reminder that while we compete, we are ultimately one united FIRST LEGO League community.

Our Season at a Glance

Across Southern Nevada:

• 100 teams competed in three qualifiers

• 30 teams advanced to the Southern Nevada Championship

• Only three teams were invited to continue on to additional competitions

The Allsparks was one of those three.

November 2025 - Qualifier

2nd Place Champion’s Award → Invited to Southern Nevada Championship

December 2025 - Southern Nevada Championship

1st Place Innovation Project Award → Invited to Western Edge Open Invitational

What Is the Western Edge Open Invitational?

The Western Edge Open Invitational is a premier event featuring top FLL Challenge teams from around the world. It showcases innovation, robot performance, teamwork, and global collaboration.

The Allsparks now have the opportunity to represent Nevada, our community, and the homeschool world, on an international stage.

Final Thoughts

FIRST LEGO League has helped build our team members’ confidence and lifelong skills in ways we never could have replicated alone.

For homeschooling parents seeking a meaningful robotics and STEM program for children ages 9–14, we encourage you to explore FIRST LEGO League Challenge. The 2025/2026 UNEARTHEDᵀᴹ season brought together homeschool teams, 4-H teams, community teams, and school teams, proving this program truly belongs to everyone.

You don’t need a technical background to start a team. Curiosity, commitment, and a willingness to learn alongside your kids is enough.

While starting and coaching a FLL Challenge team is certainly challenging, it is also one of the most rewarding educational journeys you and your children can take together.

Written by: Farah Jamaluddin