Young Innovators Compete at UW-Madison’s FIRST LEGO League Tournament

Approximately 240 young innovators gathered at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on December 6 and 7, 2025, for the Wisconsin FIRST LEGO League (FLL) regional tournament. Students in grades four through eight participated in this hands-on robotics competition, building and programming autonomous LEGO robots. The event filled the Huibregste Commons, typically a space for university faculty and students, with excitement and creativity.

Teams utilized LEGO robotics tools, specifically EV3 and SPIKE Prime, to complete various missions on a themed game field within a strict time limit of 150 seconds. Points were awarded based on the complexity and accuracy of their robot’s performance. This engaging environment was orchestrated by the local high school robotics teams, Team 1306 and Team 27088 Technical Difficulties, both affiliated with the nonprofit organization BadgerBots.

FLL aims to inspire young minds through engaging STEM challenges, offering students the opportunity to design, build, and code robots while addressing real-world problems. The initiative forms part of the broader FIRST Robotics program, established in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen to motivate young individuals to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. In Wisconsin alone, approximately 5,000 students participate in FIRST programs each year.

The tournament included evaluations beyond robot design. Teams also presented an innovation project, which they had developed over a three-month period. This year’s theme, “Unearthed,” focused on archaeology and the process of uncovering human history. Each team had 30 minutes to share their solutions with judges, which included a five-minute presentation, followed by a discussion on their engineering process and programming strategies, and concluding with a question-and-answer segment.

Andrew Greenberg, a faculty member in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at UW-Madison, played a crucial role in organizing the event. He, along with Victor Zavala, another faculty member, facilitated outreach activities for the participants. The event benefited from the support of over 70 volunteers, including undergraduate and graduate students from the engineering department.

The involvement of faculty members extended to their families, with George Huber, a professor of chemical and biological engineering, coaching Team 27088 Technical Difficulties, which includes his son. Kumuda Ranjan, wife of Devesh Ranjan, Dean of the College of Engineering, also coached an FLL team that advanced to the sectional tournament.

The importance of programs like FIRST Robotics extends beyond competition. Devesh Ranjan emphasized the significance of these experiences in fostering curiosity and confidence in STEM fields. “These hands-on experiences not only teach problem-solving and teamwork—which are critical skills for engineers—but they also help young students see themselves as future engineers and innovators,” Ranjan stated.

He further noted that hosting the FLL tournament reflects the university’s commitment to inspiring future generations. “We want young students to see that engineering is creative, impactful, and accessible—and that they can belong here,” he said. “These programs align with our mission to educate and inspire leaders who will tackle society’s greatest challenges.”

The tournament not only showcased the technical skills of the participants but also highlighted the collaborative spirit of the community. As these young competitors navigated challenges and shared their innovative ideas, they represented the potential future of engineering and technology, embodying the very essence of the FIRST Robotics vision.