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The Irish Girl Guides have been running the FIRST LEGO League in Ireland for over four years, engaging thousands of girls in coding, robotics, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths). This exciting LEGO robotics programme introduces girls to problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity while giving them the chance to compete at both national and international levels.
What is the FIRST® LEGO® League programme?
FIRST stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. The FIRST® LEGO® League invites children to think like scientists and engineers, tackling real-world challenges through innovation and research. Each year, the programme launches a new theme, from exploring the ocean to uncovering archaeology. Teams work on building robotic models, coding their designs, and preparing research projects.
Supported by the Research Ireland Discover Programme, the FIRST® LEGO® League is organised by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) in partnership with the Irish delivery partner, CreativeHUT.
Katie Keogh, Chair of the LEGO Committee at Irish Girl Guides, is delighted with what the teams have been able to achieve:
“Every year, I am impressed by the ingenuity, creativity, and engineering skills these girls demonstrate. Getting the opportunity to work with the girls is a joy, from training them on the LEGO® kits and technology to seeing their visions realised. These young inventors truly embody the spirit of Irish Girl Guides.”
How does the LEGO programme work?
The FIRST® LEGO® League is part of the Irish Girl Guides’ Journey Programme and is adapted to suit different age groups (from 4 to 16 years old). Each Unit that takes part receives a toolkit with everything needed to learn new skills in STEAM.
The programme has three levels:
- *Discover for Ladybirds
- *Explore for Brownies
- *Challenge for Guides and Senior Branch
The Challenge level is where Guides and Senior Branch teams enter competitions. Regional tournaments take place in January and February, with finalists advancing to the All-Ireland Final in March. One team then earns the honour of representing Ireland in the World FIRST® LEGO® League Finals.
Tournament days are filled with energy, learning, and friendly competition. Teams present their projects, test their robots, and celebrate their achievements alongside parents, Leaders, and volunteers. Irish Girl Guides teams also meet participants from other organisations. Already two of our teams (Cora’s Team and The Octonauts) have reached the Ireland Finals.
STEAM skills for girls in Ireland
Beyond the competitions, the FIRST® LEGO® League gives girls practical skills and the confidence to apply them. Participants learn coding, engineering, and creative problem-solving, while also building teamwork, communication, and leadership skills.
Just as importantly, the programme challenges stereotypes by showing that science and technology are exciting, accessible, and for everyone. It is one of the many ways Irish Girl Guides helps girls broaden their horizons and discover new interests in STEAM.
By providing hands-on experience in a fun and supportive environment, the Irish Girl Guides LEGO Robotics programme encourages girls to explore STEAM subjects and consider future careers in these fields.
Lorraine Mackey McHugh, CEO of Irish Girl Guides, explains:
“Many of our youth members go on to study STEAM courses and pursue STEAM careers as a result of this programme and our other STEAM initiatives. Our Badges include STEAM areas such as Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Robotics, alongside more traditional programme areas like Environmental Awareness, Nature Observer, and Water Safety. Irish Girl Guides is dedicated to building this diverse range of skills in girls and young women.”