Penn Wynne Elementary School is accepting applications from fourth graders for its FIRST LEGO League program, with 12 spots available through a lottery.
The application deadline is Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026. Sessions begin Thursday, Dec. 10, and run Thursdays from 3:45 to 4:55 p.m., according to the school's announcement.
Students selected will work on coding, engineering, teamwork and problem-solving. The 2026-2027 season theme, called BIOGLOW, focuses on biodiversity, according to LEGO Education's website. Teams can advance from local events to regional competitions and international championships.
Penn Wynne has hosted the Lower Merion School District's FIRST LEGO League (FLL) program since 2008, according to the school's highlights page. The program combines a robot game, a research project and core values, and students tackle real-world problems that scientists and engineers face.
Partnership ending after this season
LEGO Education announced on its website that it will not renew its partnership with FIRST after this school year. The 2026-2027 season will be the last under the current partnership. The announcement did not detail what, if anything, will replace the program.
How to apply
Paper application packets are available from Dr. Stokes in Room 216 at Penn Wynne Elementary. Each packet must include:
- A completed Student Application with student and parent or guardian information, plus responses to two written prompts of 100 words or fewer each
- A completed Behavior Policies form signed by both the student and a parent or guardian
Families should also review the program's introductory letter for expectations and commitment requirements.
Only complete paper packets count. They must be handed directly to Dr. Stokes in Room 216 by the end of the day on Nov. 12.
For families considering the program, this season marks the last chance to participate in FLL under the LEGO Education-FIRST partnership that has run at Penn Wynne for nearly two decades.
