The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center recently hosted the largest 2025 FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) regional tournament in the state. The event brought together dozens of teams from across the region for a full day of creativity, robotics, and problem-solving during this year’s UNEARTHED™ challenge.
FIRST LEGO League’s UNEARTHED theme invites students to explore archaeology by uncovering ideas from the past that can shape the future. Throughout the tournament, teams participated in several components of the challenge. Each team developed an Innovation Project based on a real-world problem, designed and programmed an autonomous LEGO robot for the Robot Game, and demonstrated the FIRST Core Values through teamwork, inclusion, discovery, and fun.
During the Robot Game, teams worked against the clock in two-and-a-half minute matches to complete a series of archaeology-themed missions. They also met with judges to discuss their Innovation Project research and their approach to engineering and robot design.
The Higher Education Center is proud to announce that several teams from our regional event earned advancement to the DC FIRST LEGO League Challenge Championship at James Madison University. Advancing teams include:
- In T.E.N.T.S. (Hillsville Elementary)
- Excavating Gators (Gladesboro Elementary)
- Dino Nuggets (Rhea Valley Elementary)
- Sea Salters (Hillsville Elementary)
- Notorious D.I.G. (Carroll County Middle)
- The Fragile Castdown (Carroll County Middle)
- Tomb Raiders (Riverview Elementary/Middle)
These teams demonstrated exceptional problem-solving skills, creativity, and collaboration.
The Center extends sincere thanks to all volunteers, coaches, mentors, judges, and families who supported this important event. Most of all, we congratulate every student who participated and brought the UNEARTHED challenge to life with enthusiasm and curiosity.
