Volunteer Mentors Needed for FIRST LEGO League (FLL)

​Do you love problem-solving, tinkering, or working with young people?
We’re looking for volunteer mentors to help local FIRST LEGO League (FLL) teams explore real-world challenges using LEGO robotics.

 

What You’ll Be Doing

As an FLL mentor, you’ll:

• Support a small team of kids (typically ages 9–14) as they design, build, and program a LEGO robot
   

• Guide them through the FLL season challenge (innovation project + robot missions)
   

• Help them learn teamwork, resilience, and ethical decision-making (the FIRST Core Values)
   

• Work alongside a teacher/coach to plan practices and prepare for events
   

You do not need to be a robotics expert. If you can:

• Ask good questions
   

• Encourage kids to try, fail, and try again
   

• Stay calm and positive when things go sideways
   

…you’re exactly who we’re looking for.

 

Where & Who You’ll Be Working With

• Location: Local schools and community spaces in the [Your City/Region – e.g., Guelph & Wellington County]
   

• Teams: 6–10 students per team, typically Grades 4–8
   

• Setting: You’ll be embedded with a teacher-led or parent-led team, not working alone
   

Most meetings happen:

• On-site at schools (after school on weekdays), or
   

• In community spaces (evenings or weekends), depending on the team
   

If you have a strong location preference (specific school, neighbourhood, or community), we’ll try to match you accordingly.

 

Time Commitment

FLL is seasonal, not year-round.

Typical competition commitment for one team:

• Season length: ~12–24 meetings (usually September–December, may vary locally)
   

• Frequency: 1–2 meetings per week
   

  • Length: 1.5–2 hours each
     

• Events: 1 local qualifier (usually a full Saturday), with optional additional events

Typical off-season for one team:

• Season length: ~6-12 meetings (usually January-March may vary locally)
   

• Frequency: 1–2 meetings per week
   

  • Length: 1.5–2 hours each
     

• Events: 1 optional local friendly event (usually a full Saturday)

 

We ask mentors to commit for a full season so the kids have stable, consistent support.

If you’re unsure about the full load, options include:

• Co-mentoring (sharing a team with another mentor)
   

• “Tech specialist” mentor (attend fewer sessions but focus on programming/building help)
   

• “Project mentor” (focus on the research/innovation project rather than the robot)
   

 

Working with Teachers & School Staff

You won’t be on your own managing a room full of kids.

You will:

• Work with a teacher or lead coach who handles discipline, school policies, and parent communication
   

• Coordinate schedules and room bookings with the school, not by yourself
   

• Follow school rules for safety, sign-in, and supervision
   

We expect mentors to:

• Communicate clearly with the teacher/coach (e.g., when you’re running late, need to miss a session, or have concerns)
   

• Respect the teacher’s lead on behaviour, inclusivity, and accessibility needs
   

• Collaborate on practice plans rather than “taking over”

• Understand that students will be learning more than just robotics. Students are 9-14 years old, and more than anything this is an opportunity to learn teamwork, leadership, and how to learn in a fun and safe environment
   

Think of it as a partnership: the teacher knows the kids and school; you bring extra technical and problem-solving support.

 

What We Provide

We don’t expect you to invent everything from scratch.

You’ll get:

• Orientation / training on FLL, the seasonal challenge, and basic robot code/building
   

• Sample practice plans and activity ideas
   

• Access to robot kits and laptops (provided by the school/organization)
   

• Ongoing support from experienced FLL coaches and mentors
   

• A clear point of contact for questions and help when something isn’t working
   

If you’re new to robotics or coding, we can pair you with an experienced coach or team for your first season.

 

Volunteer Requirements

To keep students safe and programs reliable, we do have some firm requirements:

Must-haves

• Age: 18+ (or 16–17 with a supervising adult mentor, depending on school policy)
   

• Screening:
   

  • Vulnerable Sector Check
     

  • Two references (personal or professional) if requested
     

• Reliability: Able to attend most scheduled practices and give notice when you can’t
   

• Respectful conduct: Commitment to inclusivity, non-discrimination, and FIRST Core Values
   

• Comfort in a school setting: Willing to follow school policies and work under staff oversight
   

Nice-to-haves (but not required)

• Experience with:
   

  • LEGO robotics, coding, or engineering
     

  • Teaching, tutoring, coaching, or youth programs
     

  • Project management, presentation skills, or design thinking
     

• Background in STEM, trades, design, or education
   

We’re happy to train motivated volunteers who don’t “check every box.”

 

Who This Is Great For

This role is a strong fit if you are:

• A university or college student in STEM, education, design, or related fields
   

• A professional (engineer, technologist, tradesperson, software developer, designer, etc.) wanting to give back

• A community member interested in coaching local competitive teams
   

• A retiree who enjoys working with youth and wants a structured, meaningful volunteer role
   

• A parent or community member who loves LEGO, problem-solving, and encouraging kids
   

 

What You’ll Get Out of It

•  

• Real impact on kids’ confidence, curiosity, and future choices
   

• Experience mentoring, facilitating, and working in a small team
   

• A deeper connection to local schools and the STEM community
   

• Great material for your CV/LinkedIn under “Community Involvement” or “Leadership”
   

And yes, you’ll see some very creative robots.

 

How to Apply

If you’re interested in mentoring, please:

1. Fill out our short volunteer form:
   ➤ [Link to Volunteer Application Form]
    

2. We’ll follow up to:
    

   • Discuss your availability and location
      

   • Match you with a school/team
      

   • Start the screening/background check process
      

3. Once cleared, you’ll:
    

   • Attend a short orientation
      

   • Meet your teacher/coach partner
      

   • Join your team at their next practice
      

 

Quick Summary

• Role: Volunteer mentor for FIRST LEGO League teams
   

• Location: [Your City/Region – e.g., Guelph & surrounding area schools]
   

• Commitment: 1–2 sessions/week for 12–16 weeks + 1–2 event days
   

• Support: Training, resources, teacher partnership, experienced mentors
   

• Requirements: Background check, reliability, respect for school policies & youth safety
   

Ready to help kids discover what they’re capable of?
👉 Become an FLL Mentor – Apply Now