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GSofSI Launches New Season in FIRST Robotics with Sponsorship From American Water Charitable Foundation

In 2026, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will continue its longstanding tradition of hosting Girl Scout Robotics teams. These teams develop their confidence, teamwork, and innovation, while also getting hands-on experience with STEM skills. This fall and winter, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will field teams competing in FIRST Robotics. Thank you to funder, American Water Charitable Foundation, for helping make this program possible.

FIRST LEGO League Challenge

In FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge, students in grades 4-8 plan and build an autonomous robot that they program to navigate missions that score points on a gameboard. They also conduct an extensive research project. After several weeks of preparation, teams meet at regional tournaments where they compete using their robots and deliver a research presentation.

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois 2026-27 FLL Challenge Teams :

Minecraft Bees #56782 coached by Emily Stanley and Yvonne Hart

Koala Koders #60808 coached by Lori House and Rebecca Stacey

Flower STEMS #71579 coached by Nicole Bell and George Mitchom

Lego Ninjas #73747 coached by Nicole Bell and George Mitchom

Darden New Challenge Team #74906 coached by Beth Darden and Steven Darden

FLL Challenge Schedule:

Regional Qualifier
Sunday December 12, 2026 – Southern Illinois Metro East at Southwestern Illinois College in Bellville

Sectionals:
Teams will receive sectional information in December.

FLL State Tournament:
Saturday, February 13, 2027 at Elgin Community College

FIRST Tech Challenge

In FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), students in grades 7-12 learn to think like engineers. Teams design, build, and code robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams.

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois 2026-27 FTC Teams

Gear Girls coached by Nicole Bell and George Mitchom

Polytechnic Puzzle Pieces (P3) coached by George Mitchom and Megan Zaiz

New Team TBA coached by George Mitchom

FTC Schedule:

Southern Illinois Meet 1
November 21, 2026
Marion High School - Marion, IL

Southern Illinois Meet 2
December 19, 2026
Metro East Lutheran High School - Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois Meet 3
January 16, 2027
Southwestern Illinois College - Belleville, IL

Southern Illinois Central League Tournament
February 6, 2027
Wesclin Middle School - Trenton, IL

FTC Illinois Championship
February 19, 2027
NIU Convocation Center - DeKalb, IL

Good luck to all of our Girl Scout Teams! Watch for more news coming soon about our youngest Girl Scout Robotics teams – FIRST LEGO League Explorers!

About American Water Charitable Foundation
In 2010, American Water established the American Water Charitable Foundation. Grants provided by the American Water Charitable Foundation support impactful initiatives and programs throughout American Water’s national footprint.

November 03, 2026