HANDS on TECHNOLOGY e.V. is excited to inform the FIRST LEGO League community about the global evolution of the program. Together with you, we are taking this next step and are sharing key information about the "Future Edition", which was released by the program founders, FIRST and LEGO Education, on January 12, 2026.

Stay tuned and join us on this journey: In the coming weeks, we will publish further details about the Future Edition on our website, in our monthly season updates, and in the HANDS on TECHNOLOGY newsletter (sign up here). We look forward to exploring this exciting path together with you.

Didacta Workshop: First Insights into the FIRST LEGO League Future Edition

Join us at didacta 2026 as we present the first insights into the FIRST LEGO League Future Edition! Our 45-minute workshop is aimed at coaches and interested teachers who want to learn how this innovative educational program inspires children and young people in STEM in a sustainable way and helps them become confident problem solvers.

📅 When: March 11, 2026
⏰ Time: 2:30 – 3:15 PM
📍 Congress Center, Köln Messe, Cologne

If you are planning to attend didacta, stop by! The workshop is free of charge; however, a valid didacta ticket is required to access the venue.

Registration: via email at info@hands-on-technology.org. Places are limited!

Note: The content of this article is based on the official blog post from FIRST and LEGO Education regarding the evolution of FIRST LEGO League.

A New Era of FIRST LEGO League

For almost 30 years, FIRST LEGO League has inspired children and young people in over 100 countries to engage with STEM through hands-on learning with robotics. In close collaboration with the global community, intensive work has been done in recent years to further develop the program and reach even more young people. Based on surveys and conversations with partners, coaches, and participants, it became clear: the demands on learning are changing, and FIRST LEGO League is evolving with them. A particular focus is on classroom use, where learning happens every day.

Future Edition: The Reimagined FIRST LEGO League

The Future Edition creates an evolved learning experience based on the new LEGO® Education Computer Science & AI Sets. These include teaching materials for educators, LEGO bricks, hardware, and programming, and are designed to integrate computer science and artificial intelligence (AI) easily and accessibly into everyday school life as well as extracurricular offerings.

The new program aims to engage all types of learners – including students who previously may not have seen themselves in robotics or STEM.

What’s New?

FIRST LEGO League retains its playful character while being expanded with new elements:

  • Wireless hardware with integrated, paired functions: For the first time, FIRST LEGO League uses wireless hardware elements such as sensors, motors, and a wireless controller. This creates new possibilities in terms of flexibility, accessibility, and diversity in play and learning.
  • Task models with integrated hardware: The hardware is used both for the teams’ robotics solutions and to motorize task models. This makes the task models interactive and adds an additional strategic layer to competitions.
  • Semi-cooperative matches on a shared field: Another innovation is the introduction of semi-cooperative match flows. Teams play together on a single field, which during the 2.5-minute matches rewards active collaboration and good teamwork.
  • Unique roles with specific tasks: All these developments are supported by four clearly defined team roles: Driver (steers a drive base across the field using a controller, collects task models, and delivers them), Operator (designs and uses a mechanical tool to move and trigger task models in their area), Technician (develops and uses a programmed, robot-assisted tool to move and trigger task models in their area and on the field), and Specialist (controls the team device as well as one or more robot-assisted task models on the field). Participants no longer just start their robots—they actively play with the technical and mechanical tools they developed themselves.

New Age Structure

For the Future Edition, two offerings are available, targeting the following age groups:

  • 5–7 years
  • 8–16 years

Transition Phase 2026–2028

From August 2026, a temporary transition phase begins with two editions running in parallel.

  • Founders Edition based on LEGO Education SPIKE (last season 2027–2028)
  • Future Edition based on LEGO Education Computer Science & AI (first season 2026–2027)

This model allows participants and educators a gradual transition. The Future Edition is not compatible with SPIKE™ or older products.

Read complete FIRST blog post

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