Parent Interest and Payment
Interested in participating? Here’s how…
Assuming you are familiar with our FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge program page as well as our introduction to the FIRST Youth Protection Program, use the following four steps as a guide to your student’s participation on an ARBC-supported FLL Challenge team. Note that this season’s per-student team startup contribution is $110 (a needs-based scholarship is available).
1. ARBC Pre-registration
Pre-register your student so that ARBC has the information needed to help teams form: we verify age/grade criteria, note schedule and location preferences, and record parent/guardian contact information. You must complete our pre-registration form in order for your student to participate on an ARBC-supported team.
Pre-registration does not place your student on a team. You will be contacted via email during the next step (team formation).
2. Team Formation
ARBC volunteers help teams form by finding volunteer coaches and grouping them with students based on schedule/location preferences.
Not all preferences can be met, and final team formation is dependent on finding coaches/mentors for each team of up to six students. You will receive email messages as team formation takes place, and you may be asked to volunteer to coach in order for a team to be formed with your student on it.
If your student attends Anacortes Middle School (AMS) and is joining a team as part of the AMS Robotics Club, the Club may start meeting during team formation.
3. Payment/Team Membership Contract
- Once a team has formed with your student on it, you will be asked to contribute to team startup expenses, and you will receive a Team Membership Contract for your student when you do.
- If your student is eligible for free/reduced lunch in the Anacortes School District, you may request an ARBC scholarship to cover the contribution to team startup expenses once you are asked to contribute. Request the scholarship before making any payment. If the scholarship is granted, you will receive a discount code to use when contributing.
- After making your contribution, you will receive a download link for a Team Membership Contract. Download and print out the contract, fill in your student’s name, then ask them to read and sign to accept the contract terms. Once signed, your student should deliver the contract to their team coach.
4. Official FIRST team registration
Once the team coach has received your student’s Team Membership Contract, you will receive an email from the team coach asking you to complete your student’s official FIRST registration the FIRSTInspires website.
Official FIRST registration is required for participation in all official tournaments/competitions.