FLL 2024: Rules for M01 Coral Nursery FIRST LEGO League 2024-2025 SUBMERGED Challenge
Secure new coral structures to grow in the nursery until they are strong enough for transport to the reef.
Video rules
YouTube video for M01 Coral Nursery
Score
- If the coral tree is hanging on the coral tree support: 20
- Bonus: And the bottom of the coral tree is in its holder: 10 ADDED
- If the coral buds are flipped up: 20
FLLCasts Tip
This mission has two parts: The coral tree needs to be hung on the support, and the coral buds need to be flipped up. Remember that this mission has No Equipment Constraint!
For maximum points in the first part, your robot needs to both hang the coral tree on the support and ensure the tree is in the holder. To achieve this, your robot needs to be very precise, as you have only around one LEGO unit to work with vertically. Thankfully, the mission is right next to the red base. For the fastest and most accurate attachment, you can design a passive mechanism that rises when it collides with the base of the mission and hooks the tree. For a simpler approach, you can use a motorized attachment that lifts the coral tree while combining it with the forward movement of the robot.
The coral buds need to be pushed down and toward the model in order to rotate them. A simple push will not suffice because the model is designed in a way that a straightforward push toward it will create force directed at the floor, preventing the model from moving. For this reason, the robot needs to push the lever down and then forward. This can be achieved with a passive attachment that starts with a sloped surface to push down the lever, followed by a vertical wall to push it forward.
Alternatively, you can carefully lift and move the coral buds directly without touching the lever.
FLL 2024: Rules for M02 Shark FIRST LEGO League 2024-2025 SUBMERGED Challenge
The shark was just tagged for research - release it back into its habitat.
Video rules
Score
- If the shark is no longer touching the cave: 20
- If the shark is touching the mat and is at least partly in the shark habitat: 10
FLLCasts Tip
This mission consists of two parts: The shark needs to be positioned outside the cave, and it must be at least partially placed within the shark habitat.
For the first part, you can use a simple passive press-down attachment with angled beams to release the shark. Alternatively, any attachment that can press down on the yellow lever will work. Once the lever is activated, the shark will be released into the home area, where you can then collect it by hand.
Navigating to the shark may be challenging due to the Reef Segments. In this case, the robot can simply move through the home area, approach the shark mission model, and pull the shark back to the home area.
For the second part, you can transport the shark to the habitat without any attachments. If the shark’s shape proves difficult to handle, remember that team equipment can touch the mission models, so you can place the shark in a box to make it easier to transport.
FLL 2024: Rules for M03 Coral Reef FIRST LEGO League 2024-2025 SUBMERGED Challenge
Carefully mount the new coral structure without damaging other nearby reef segments.
Video rules
YouTube video for M03 Coral Reef
Score
- If the coral reef is flipped up, not touching the mat: 20
- If a reef segment is standing upright, outside of home, and touching the mat: 5 each
FLLCasts Tip
M03 Coral Reef has two parts: The coral reef needs to be flipped up, not touching the mat, and the reef segment must be standing upright, outside of home, and touching the mat. Remember that this mission has No Equipment Constraint!
To flip the coral reef, the robot might use a passive attachment to press the platform and rotate the reef. In this case, it’s best to approach from the left or right side of the model due to a green beam that could complicate such an attachment.
Alternatively, you can use a motorized (active) attachment to press the platform from the front and combine this action with completing Mission 4, the Scuba Diver, by hanging the diver onto the coral reef support.
Additionally, you can design an attachment to move the Reef Segments to a location at the south or north end of the field (outside the home area) so they don't obstruct the robot's movement on the mat. The attachment must also ensure that the Reef Segment remains standing upright without touching them at the end of the run.
FLL 2024: Rules for M04 Scuba Diver FIRST LEGO League 2024-2025 SUBMERGED Challenge
Help the scuba diver transport new coral from the nursery to the reef.
Video rules
YouTube video for M04 Scuba Diver
Score
- If the scuba diver is no longer touching the coral nursery: 20
- If the scuba diver is hanging on the coral reef support: 20
The “coral nursery” includes any part of the Mission 1 mission model.
FLLCasts Tip
M04 Scuba Diver has two parts: The scuba diver must no longer be touching the coral nursery and should be hanging on the coral reef support.
To collect the scuba diver from the coral nursery, the robot might use either a passive or active (motorized) attachment to lift the scuba diver via the loop. It's a good idea to combine this part of the mission with completing some aspect of Mission 01 Coral Nursery.
For the second part, you can hang the scuba diver on the coral reef support. This part of the mission could be combined with pressing the lever of Mission 03 Coral Reef.
FLL 2024: Rules for M05 Angler Fish FIRST LEGO League 2024-2025 SUBMERGED Challenge
Guide the angler fish back to its unexpected home within the shipwreck.
Video rules
YouTube video for M05 Angler Fish
Score
- If the angler fish is latched within the shipwreck: 30
The “coral nursery” includes any part of the Mission 1 mission model.
FLLCasts Tip
To complete M05 Angler Fish, you need to latch the angler fish within the shipwreck.
The easiest way to achieve this is by approaching the mission model from the north side of the mat and pushing the yellow lever. It's best to tackle this mission when the robot is switching bases, i.e., moving from one base to the other. The quickest route is to move from the Right Launch Area (Blue) to the Left Launch Area (Red) because the robot can push the lever effortlessly as it passes by without needing to stop. In this scenario, it's beneficial to have already collected the Water Sample and moved the reef segments.
You cannot push the angler fish directly from the south side, as its mechanism locks the fish from that direction.
FLL 2024: Rules for M06 Raise the Mast FIRST LEGO League 2024-2025 SUBMERGED Challenge
Raise the mast to restore the sunken shipwreck and explore what is inside.
Video rules
YouTube video for M06 Raise the Mast
Score
- If the shipwreck’s mast is completely raised: 30
The shipwreck’s mast is considered raised when the latch prevents it from returning to its starting position.
FLLCasts Tip
In M06 Raise the Mast, the shipwreck’s mast must be completely raised. The mast is considered raised when the latch prevents it from returning to its starting position. Remember that this mission has No Equipment Constraint!
The best way to approach this mission is by combining it with M07 Kraken's Treasure. To accomplish M06, carefully lift the mast by raising the back of the ship, where the yellow levers are located. Your attachment should include a beam or axle structure that prevents Kraken's tentacles from falling and locking the treasure chest from M07. After fully raising the mast, the robot should move back, taking the treasure and releasing the tentacles.
Be very careful if you haven't yet moved the reef segments, as you might crash into them and cause them to fall on the mat.
FLL 2024: Rules for M07 Kraken’s Treasure FIRST LEGO League 2024-2025 SUBMERGED Challenge
Retrieve the chest from the shipwreck to reveal the history and treasure it holds.
Video rules
YouTube video for M07 Kraken’s Treasure
Score
- If the treasure chest is completely outside the kraken’s nest: 20
FLLCasts Tip
For M07 Kraken’s Treasure, the treasure chest must be completely outside the Kraken’s nest. Remember that this mission has No Equipment Constraint!
The best way to approach this mission is by combining it with M06 Raise the Mast. To accomplish M07, the robot should lift the back of the shipwreck just high enough to retrieve the treasure chest. If the lift is too high, the kraken will close its tentacles on the chest, making the mission much more difficult to complete.
Be very careful if you haven't already moved the reef segments, as you might crash into them and cause them to fall on the mat.
FLL 2024: Rules for M08 Artificial Habitat FIRST LEGO League 2024-2025 SUBMERGED Challenge
Rearrange the artificial habitat stacks to create safe homes for the crabs and other sea creatures in this area.
Video rules
YouTube video for M08 Artificial Habitat
Score
- If an artificial habitat stack segment is completely flat and upright: 10 each
There are four segments of the artificial habitat stack, each defined by its yellow base. A segment is considered upright when the crab is above its yellow base
FLLCasts Tip
For M08 Artificial Habitat, the artificial habitat stack segment must be completely flat and upright. Remember that this mission has No Equipment Constraint!
It may be a good idea to accomplish this mission over multiple runs, combining it with other missions. If you want to complete it in a single run, your robot should be able to lift, pull, and push in different directions. This would require either building a very complex attachment or performing many movements with the robot, which could be time-consuming.
Once you complete this mission, you will have less space left between the M08 Artificial Habitat mission model and the M05 Angler Fish mission model. Therefore, you should carefully plan your subsequent runs.
FLL 2024: Rules for M09 Unexpected Encounter FIRST LEGO League 2024-2025 SUBMERGED Challenge
An unknown creature has attached itself to the AUV! Safely release it and deliver it to the cold seep.
Video rules
YouTube video for M09 Unexpected Encounter
Score
- If the unknown creature is released: 20
- If the unknown creature is at least partly in the cold seep: 10
FLLCasts Tip
M09 Unexpected Encounter has two parts: The unknown creature must be released, and it must be at least partly in the cold seep.
You could approach this mission by pushing the platform under the unknown creature to make it fall. A clever strategy is to equip your robot with a basket to catch the creature. Starting from the Blue base will allow you to reach the mission model in the fastest way.
To make it easier to deliver the unknown creature to the cold seep, you can directly leave the basket in the designated place. The creature is allowed to remain in contact with the basket at the end of the round.
Beware! Successfully delivering the unknown creature to the cold seep will make it more challenging to navigate the robot between the left and right sides in the northern part of the mat, so carefully plan your next runs.
FLL 2024: Rules for M10 Send over the Submersible FIRST LEGO League 2024-2025 SUBMERGED Challenge
Some waters are too difficult to reach with larger ships. Send the submersible to explore the opposing field’s waters.
Video rules
YouTube video for M10 Send over the Submersible
Score
- If your team’s yellow flag is down: 30
- If the submersible is clearly closer to the opposing field: 10
Teams may not block the opposing team. It is not possible to earn the bonus in remote competitions or if there is no opposing team.
FLLCasts Tip
M10 Send over the Submersible has two parts: Your team’s yellow flag must be down, and the submersible must be clearly closer to the opposing field. Remember that this mission has No Equipment Constraint!
This should be the last mission you accomplish in the round. To successfully complete M10, the robot should lift and release the lever as quickly as possible. If your robot holds the lever up while the opposing team is trying to lift theirs, you will receive a penalty for blocking the opposing team. Be very careful—if you lift the lever too early in the game, the other team will have the opportunity to send the submersible to your field. If you miscalculate your timing during the game, you may miss the chance to lift the lever and lose 30 points.
You can play it safe by lifting the lever at some point during the game to secure 30 points, then attempting to lift it a second time at the end of the game to send the submersible to the opposing team's field and gain an extra 10 points.
THE ROBOT MUST NOT TOUCH THE MISSION MODEL AT THE END OF THE GAME!
FLL 2024: Rules for M11 Sonar Discovery FIRST LEGO League 2024-2025 SUBMERGED Challenge
Use the ship’s sonar technology to scan the surroundings for nearby objects or animals.
Video rules
YouTube video for M11 Sonar Discovery
Score
- If one whale is revealed: 20
- Bonus: If both whales are revealed: 10 ADDED
FLLCasts Tip
M11 Sonar Discovery has two parts: The first part is to reveal one whale, and the Bonus is earned if both whales are revealed.
To successfully accomplish the mission and get even the bonus points, you don’t need to rotate the M11 Sonar Discovery mission model by 300 degrees.
So, for the first part, you could build a passive attachment with a hook that pulls the orange lever as the robot moves backward, revealing the first whale. Then, for the second part, the robot can move forward and slightly to the left toward the second whale, revealing it by pushing the mission model with the attachment.
FLL 2024: Rules for M12 Feed the Whale FIRST LEGO League 2024-2025 SUBMERGED Challenge
Krill are a whale’s favorite food! Collect the krill and feed them to the hungry whale.
Video rules
YouTube video for M12 Feed the Whale
Score
- Krill at least partly in the whale’s mouth: 10 each
FLLCasts Tip
M12 Feed the Whale has two parts: First, the robot needs to collect the krill, and then the krill must be at least partly in the whale’s mouth. Remember that this mission has No Equipment Constraint!
In this mission, the robot must collect some or all of the krill. The three krill near the whale are easy to collect. The one in the northwest region is a bit more challenging due to the reef segments, water sample, and four surrounding mission models. The most difficult krill to collect is located almost between the shipwreck, just south of them. It’s a good idea to collect the krill in different runs as the robot passes by, since they are spread out across the mat.
It’s also beneficial to collect all the krill before feeding the whale. To feed the whale, you can manually open its mouth or press the yellow platform to open it. You can use a passive attachment that is activated by the whale’s mouth to release the krill.
FLL 2024: Rules for M13 Change Shipping Lanes FIRST LEGO League 2024-2025 SUBMERGED Challenge
Adjust the cargo ship’s route to safely avoid whale migration routes by moving to another shipping lane.
Video rules
YouTube video for M13 Change Shipping Lanes
Score
- If the ship is in the new shipping lane, touching the mat: 20
FLLCasts Tip
To successfully accomplish M13 Change Shipping Lanes, the ship must be in the new shipping lane, touching the mat.
The easiest way to do this is to use a four-beam construction to rotate one beam around another while maintaining its orientation using an active attachment. This construction should have a two-pronged fork or a similar mechanism that can be placed under the yellow levers to move the ship to the other lane.
FLL 2024: Rules for M14 Sample Collection FIRST LEGO League 2024-2025 SUBMERGED Challenge
Collect samples and artifacts from around the mat so they can be analyzed by scientists in the lab.
Video rules
YouTube video for M14 Sample Collection
Score
- If the water sample is completely outside the water sample area: 5
- If the seabed sample is no longer touching the seabed: 10
- If the plankton sample is no longer touching the kelp forest: 10
- If a piece of the trident is no longer touching the shipwreck: 20
- Bonus: If both pieces are no longer touching the shipwreck: 10 ADDED
FLLCasts Tip
This mission has four parts: The water sample must be completely outside the water sample area; the seabed sample must no longer be touching the seabed; the plankton sample must no longer be touching the kelp forest; and a piece of the trident must no longer be touching the shipwreck. If both pieces of the trident are no longer touching the shipwreck, you earn a bonus.
This mission is likely best accomplished in more than one run. Each sample must be collected in a different way:
- The Water Sample can be pushed to the base while the robot is moving, but this can be challenging if the reef segments are still in place.
- The Seabed Sample must be lifted up. You can use a beam or an axle as a lever for this.
- The Plankton Sample must be pulled. A passive latch attachment can be used, such as a beam pointed downward that can swing toward the robot but not toward the model. When the beam enters the loop, it gets locked in place. A support beam under the hinged beam will prevent the sample from falling out of the attachment.
- The Trident is the most difficult part of this mission. The best approach is to use a rubber-tipped end clip to catch the trident and lift it up from the shipwreck. This solution also requires precise movement and positioning of the robot.
FLL 2024: Rules for M15 Research Vessel FIRST LEGO League 2024-2025 SUBMERGED Challenge
Securely dock the ship that contains the samples and artifacts your team has collected.
Video rules
YouTube video for M15 Research Vessel
Score
If any of the following are at least partly in the research vessel’s cargo area:
- Sample(s): 5 each
- Trident Part(s): 5 each
- Treasure Chest: 5
- If the port’s latch is at least partly in the research vessel’s loop: 20
FLLCasts Tip
M15 Research Vessel has two parts: The Treasure Chest, Trident Parts, and Samples must be at least partly in the research vessel’s cargo area, and the port’s latch must be at least partly in the research vessel’s loop. Remember that this mission has No Equipment Constraint!
For the first part of the mission, a good strategy is to use a passive attachment that activates when the robot touches the wall between the ship and the left (Red) base. When activated, it should drop the Treasure Chest, Trident Parts, and Samples inside the ship's cargo area.
You can move the ship to the Port’s Latch in separate runs. In the first run, you can push the ship forward until it reaches the M08 Artificial Habitat mission model. Then, the robot can return to the base to change attachments. With the new attachment, the robot can push the ship to the Port’s Latch if it’s too large to reposition itself effectively. Alternatively, you can use an active attachment that transforms, allowing the robot to start moving the ship from its initial position and eventually push it to the Port’s Latch.