The FIRST® LEGO® League Explore program (formerly FLL Jr) is a FIRST program designed to introduce STEM concepts to kids age 6 to 10 through building LEGO to complete real-world challenges. Students build LEGO models and create posters to show what they learned.
The Girls of Steel started their first two FLL Jr teams in February 2015 at the Winchester Thurston Lower School. The number of teams has grown each year. In spring 2019, there were 9 teams with a total of 50 students at 6 different schools around the Greater Pittsburgh area. Through FLL Jr., children are introduced to the Girls of Steel Robotics and STEM Pipeline at an early age. Each year students present their FLL Jr models and research posters on Demo Day for families, friends and teachers.
2020-2021 FLL Explore Season: PLAYMAKERS
This is our 7th year offering FLL Explore teams. This year we are again running a virtual program with students participating in activities at home and on Zoom. Contact us at girlsofsteelroboticsfll@gmail.com for more information.
2019-2020 FLL Jr. Season: Boomtown Build
This is the sixth year competing in FLL Jr. for Girls of Steel. The in-person program was postponed due to school closures. Instead, we ran a virtual FLL Jr program in May/June 2020. Check out the blog post for more details! Contact us at girlsofsteelroboticsfll@gmail.com for more information.
2018-2019 FLL Jr. Season: Mission Moon
In April 2019 the Girls of Steel welcomed 50 new members from six schools to the FLL Jr. program on nine teams. Our students came together and built a moon base with LEGOs. They also programmed a WeDo 2.0 robot and used a motor to motorize a part of the moon base. Participating Schools: Franklin Elementary North Allegheny SD, Falk School, Winchester Thurston School, Sacred Heart Elementary School, Providence Heights, and South Fayette Elementary School.
2017-2018 FLL Jr. Season: Aqua Adventure
The Girls of Steel welcomed 40 new members to the FLL Jr. program and decided to run seven teams at 5 schools. Students designed and built a model of water’s pathway in their homes or community and possible improvement to the pathway. Participating schools: Franklin Elementary North Allegheny SD, Falk School, Winchester Thurston School, Colfax K-8 PPS, and Providence Heights.
2016-2017 FLL Jr. Season: Creature Craze
This year, we expanded to 5 teams at 4 schools and 30 students within the Greater Pittsburgh Area. Our students learned about the habitats and behaviors of different species of animals. Then they used this knowledge to design and build their chosen animals and motorized their models. Participating schools: Franklin Elementary North Allegheny SD, Falk School, Winchester Thurston School, and Providence Heights,
2015-2016 FLL Jr. Season: Waste Wise
This was the second year of competing in FLL Jr. We had 4 teams at 4 schools and 24 students. Our students learned about the processes involved in recycling waste and made motorized LEGO models to depict a process. Participating schools: Avonworth Primary Center, Environmental Charter School, Winchester Thurston, and Winchester Thurston North.
2014-2015 FLL Jr. Season: Think Tank
This was our very first year of competing in FLL Jr. We had 2 teams at Winchester Thurston with 12 students – six 2nd graders 
and six 3rd graders. Our students learned about learning and made a motorized LEGO model.
