{"id":150,"date":"2023-03-06T18:22:27","date_gmt":"2023-03-07T00:22:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/outreach\/?page_id=150"},"modified":"2026-07-27T15:29:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T20:29:17","slug":"start-an-explore-team","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.engineering.iastate.edu\/outreach\/first-lego-league\/start-a-team\/start-an-explore-team\/","title":{"rendered":"Start an Explore Team"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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Explore Season Timeline<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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mid-May:<\/strong> FIRST<\/em> LEGO League Explore team registration opens (via FIRST<\/em> Dashboard)
early August: <\/strong>Season details released AND Iowa event registration opens
August \u2013 April:<\/strong> Teams meet weekly over 12 weeks to complete the activities 
November \u2013 April: <\/strong>Teams host or attend an Explore Expo to celebrate what they\u2019ve learned <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Steps to Starting an Explore Team<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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  1. Recruit two adult coaches 18 years or older.<\/li>\n
  2. Recruit 2 to 6 youth between the ages of 6 and 10 (grades 2-4). Youth may be on only one team; however, a coach may lead multiple teams.<\/li>\n
  3. Register as a team and order season materials from the\u00a0FIRST<\/em>\u00a0Dashboard website<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  4. Meet regularly as a team.<\/li>\n
  5. Register and participate in an official Iowa Explore Expo to celebrate what you\u2019ve learned.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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    Estimated Costs<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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    Start-up Costs:<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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    SPIKE Essential Kit: $319.95 + shipping and handling<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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    Annual Costs:<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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    FIRST<\/em> Team Registration and Season Kit: $125\u00a0+ shipping and handling
    Iowa Expo Registration: $75<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n <\/a>

    Grants and Funding<\/h2>\n\n\n
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    If you want to start a team but need financial assistance, grants<\/a> are available through FIRST<\/em> sponsors. Keep in mind that most grants require you to apply before<\/em><\/strong> registering as a team with FIRST<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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    FIRST<\/em> also offers a number of fundraising ideas<\/a> along with access to grants and scholarships offered locally.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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    2026-2027 Grant Opportunities<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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    Many of the upcoming season\u2019s grant opportunities will be announced at the end of the summer. New grant availability is also announced via our emailed Team Blast Newsletter. All current season coaches are signed up automatically. Others can sign up to receive this below.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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