FLL Explore FAQ, or “Frequently Asked Questions”
Coaching Q&A
Q: Do I have to know science, engineering, programming, etc. to coach a FLL Explore team?
A: ABSOLUTELY NOT. You just have to like kids and want to help them learn.
Q: Can I have more than six children on a FLL Explore team?
A: No. Glastonbury Public Schools follow the FIRST guidelines, which recommend a maximum number of six children for each team. Also, no official Expo will let more than six children participate per team, so if you have more than six participants, you are setting up your team for disappointment.
Q: Why do I have to pass two separate background checks?**
A: Glastonbury Public Schools (GPS) requires a background check to allow you to work with students, which consists of fingerprinting and a form for the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF). Also, FIRST requires some registered coaches to pass their own background check, completed at no cost online. (If you are operating under a season's pass, you do not have to do the FIRST background check, but everyone must complete the GPS background check.)
What If... Q&A
Q: What if I do not live in Glastonbury? Can I still participate?
A: Yes, but not through the Glastonbury Public Schools. FIRST is a global program with teams participating all over the world. Anyone can coach an FLL Explore team. FIRST has tips for fundraising on their webpage. Please do not register for our programs, but visit firstinspires.org instead.
Q: What if we live in Glastonbury but do not attend Glastonbury Public Schools?
A: Students must attend a Glastonbury Public School to register and participate through our programs. The Glastonbury East Hartford Magnet School has its own program. Homeschoolers would have to set up and fund a team on their own.
For the 2021-2022 school year, the costs are as follows:
$15.31 per student for the registration fees plus shipping
$17.25 per student for their share of the T-shirt (covering cost for 2 coaches and 1 mentor)
$102.67 per student in supplies (about $66 is reused)
$20 per student for the Expo
TOTAL COST PER STUDENT $155.23
Any more questions not answered here? Please contact Wendy Smith at: [email protected].