FIRST Lego League Championship is March 20-21 at Nebraska U

The 2026 Nebraska FIRST Lego League Challenge Championship, which will bring nearly 700 youth together to showcase their science, technology, engineering and math skills and creativity, is March 20-21 at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Events will be held in the Cook Pavilion, Coliseum, Campus Recreation Center and Nebraska Union.

The championship and other events are free and open to the public. More information on the events can be found here.

Coordinated in the state by Nebraska 4-H, part of the university’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the FIRST Lego League features youth in grades 4-8 who work in teams to solve robotics challenges using Lego Mindstorms technology. 

​Founded in 1989, FIRST — For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology — is an international youth organization that operates the FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Lego League Challenge, FIRST Lego League Explore, FIRST Lego League Discover and FIRST Tech Challenge competitions.

“The collaboration between 4-H and FIRST robotics is really dynamic,” said Brandy Schulze, program delivery partner. “While supporting positive youth development, this event is for youth to experience success in a STEM environment with goals to build confidence and identity around science.”

At the championship, youth will compete and demonstrate lessons learned within Lego exploration. Students practice research, problem-solving, coding and engineering by building and programming a Lego robot that navigates a mission.

“The youth participants are building their skills in teamwork, communication, problem solving, critical thinking, and the list goes on," Schulze said. "This event celebrates the young people and all their hard work they have invested this season. The competition itself is also a whole new level of fun and excitement and the robot matches are something you don’t want to miss."

This year’s FIRST Lego League theme is “Unearthed," in which teams were challenged to identify and research a problem faced by archeologists and propose a solution. During the season, teams used STEM and collaboration skills to unearth new findings about themselves and their collective communities to help build a better world.

The FIRST Lego League Challenge Championship is part of the third annual 4-H Robotics Expansion Event at the university. The broader event, focused on robotics innovation and collaboration, allows youth to engage with and learn from Husker experts and other STEM professionals.

“We are excited to open the doors for young people to experience college opportunities while on the UNL campus, as well as build some career connections with the hands-on experiences with our industry partners,” Schulze said. 

Event partners include Nebraska Extension, the Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management, College of Engineering, Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska State Museum-Morrill Hall, Kawasaki Motors, Nucor, Southeast Community College, Huffman Engineering, Rensenhouse, HDR, Don’t Panic Labs, Behlen and Mason Road Manufacturing and Nebraska FIRST Tech Challenge.