Important Update: The Future of FIRST LEGO League

Important Update: The Future of FIRST LEGO League

Students and families,

Earlier this morning, LEGO Education and FIRST announced that they will be ending their partnership after the next season of FIRST LEGO League. The final season of FIRST LEGO League will be the 2026–2027 season, beginning in August/September.

CFI has already been preparing for this.

Over the past year, we have expanded our programs to make sure our students continue to grow and compete at a high level no matter the competition:

• We introduced Python for Robotics using XRP kits to prepare students for new types of competitions

• We launched URC RoboArena to prepare for RoboSumo competitions

• We built a strong partnership with the University of Illinois Extension 4-H, where our Executive Director serves on the robotics competition committee

• We joined new competitions, including Southworks Engineering & Robotics Olympics and VEX V5 Robotics

• Our VEX team earned the Judges Award at the State Championship last weekend

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What this means for our students

CFI will compete in the 2026–2027 FIRST LEGO League season (the final season)

• This will be a limited-seat season

• Priority will be given to current FIRST LEGO League students

• Additional students may be selected from our 4-H and Southworks teams

CFI will continue competing in:

• Ultimate Robot Championship (URC)

• Illinois 4-H Robotics Competition

• Southworks Engineering & Robotics Olympics

• VEX Robotics