2023 Mission Model Building Tips

Building Mission Models

for FIRST LEGO League Challenge

Last Update: 9/17/2023

Getting

Organized

2

Sort Your Bags by Number

Bag #1 - 2

Bag #2 - 2

Bag #3 - 2

Bag #4 - 2

Bag #5 - 2

Bag #6 - 3

Bag #7 - 1

Bag #8 - 2

Bag #9 - 1

Bag #10 - 2

Bag #11 - 1

Bag #12 - 1

Bag #13 - 1

Bag #14 - 1

Bag #15 - 1

2 unnumbered bags

2 loose black axles

1 sheet of 3M Dual Lock

For the MASTERPIECE season,

you should ﬁnd the following

items in your Challenge set box

3

1 rolled up Challenge Mat

Open and Sort by Number

● Open only one set of

numbered bags at a time. E.g.

all bags numbered 1.

● There can be multiple bags

with the same number (See

previous page to check how

many there should be)

● Building instructions are by

bag number.

4

Sorting Can Save You Time

● Sort the parts in each bag into

general part types so that they

are easier to ﬁnd (axles, liftarms,

frames, pins, etc.)

● You can use LEGO sorting trays,

paper plates, small bowls, box

lids, trays, etc.

● This step is will help ﬁnd the

part you need as you build

5

Elements in Bag 3 sorted before building

Building

Eciently and

Reliably

6

Build in Pairs

● Building in pairs or small groups

works well.

● One person ﬁnds the parts for the

step, one person puts the pieces

together, and one person checks

to make sure the step was done

correctly.

● Change roles every few steps.

7

Multiplier Symbols

● Be sure to pay attention to the

multiplier symbols (e.g. 2x, 4x)

symbols at the start of a subset of

instructions.

● You can save time by constructing

them simultaneously.

● In MASTERPIECE, sometimes the

multiplier symbol only shows up

after you have built one copy.

8

Follow the Instructions

● Take your time and always build

exactly what the instructions tell

you.

● Do not improvise or “improve” the

model.

● Your model must look like and

behave exactly the same way as

the ones at the competition.

9

Check Your Work

● Have your coach or adult check the

build or compare with another

team’s set if needed.

● Be careful and use the right part in

the right step

● Common mistakes include:

○ Using the wrong length liftarm in a

step (e.g. 11M instead of a 13M

liftarm)

○ Using the wrong pin (friction vs.

frictionless)

10

E.g. Using a black friction pin instead of a light grey

frictionless pin in this step will change how the

model operates

TIP: LEGO Technic

is measured in

“Modules”. 5M

means it has 5

holes in it.

Some Models Take Longer to Build

● When splitting up the work, note that

some models and bag numbers take a

lot longer to complete than others.

● You can check ahead and see how many

step numbers are in each build

instruction and/or refer to this table with

approximate build times for the

MASTERPIECE season.

11

Bag No. Time Bag No. Time

1 16 mins 8 15 mins

2 20 mins 9 13 mins

3 30 mins 10 21 mins

4 6 mins 11 13 mins

5 20 mins 12 10 mins

6 35 mins 13 7 mins

7 15 mins 14 1 min

TIP: A student who is artistic and enjoys creating

designs with LEGO dots will enjoy building the

model in Bag 03.

Unnumbered Bags

● Larger elements such as hoses, long axles,

large frames, and 13M/15M beams are just loose

in the box or in unnumbered bags. (M = LEGO

Modules)

● Check the top of the instructions page for parts

needed before you begin.

6 Elements in Unnumbered Bags

+ 2 Loose Items (black axles)

+ Everything in Bag 10(s)

12

TIP: If you are trying to presort by mission model so

that a student can take elements home and build, be

sure you look for all the larger items in the

unnumbered bags or loose items at the bottom of the

box.

Flip Symbol

● The model sometimes requires

ﬂipping before the next element is

added. Check before you add the

pins/next element

13

Arrows

● Sometimes instructions have arrows or

show where one element is added.

● However, pay attention to how many items

are in the blue box and look for them in the

image.

● Pay attention to which pins/holes you need

to use. It is easy to put a peg in the wrong

hole.

● Sometimes there is no arrow indicator, but

if you look closely, elements were added in

the step.

14

In Step 11 you can see

an arrow for 1 pin.

However another blue

pin has already been

inserted in this step

Setting Up

the Mat

15

Setting up the Challenge Mat

● Placement of the challenge mat is a

very important step before placing

the models on it.

● The rules for placement can vary

every year (Check the Robot Game

Rulebook and see image on right)

● The instructions will tell you how far

East-to-West and North-to-South the

mat should be placed relative to the

table.

16

Setting up the Models

● Place ﬁnished models loosely on

the challenge mat.

● Be sure to follow the text and

images in the Field Setup section of

the Robot Game Rulebook very

carefully. They will tell you which

way a model should face.

● Use the markings on the challenge

mat itself as alignment points. If it

doesn’t align, it is probably an

indication of something wrong with

the build itself.

17

Tip: Watch this YouTube video to see how to align the

models on the Challenge Mat.

Pressing Models into Place

● Once everything looks correct, follow

the set-up instructions to place the

dual-lock (square with X) on the

Challenge mat as shown in the Robot

Game Rulebook.

● Press the models down in place holding

and pressing as close to the dual lock

as possible.

● Not all models will need to be

dual-locked. Some will stay loose on the

markings on the mat.

18

Tip: Watch this YouTube video if you need an

example of how to apply the dual lock and place

mission models.

Packing Away Models

● You can pack up and put away your

challenge set if you need to. The models

are generally very durable

● Remove models from as close to the dual

lock as possible.

● One side of the dual lock should come oﬀ

with the model. The other side stays on the

mat.

● Place all smaller items such as miniﬁgures

in ziplock bags so that you do not lose the

accessories

19

Packing instructions created

by MK Baldwin are available

on FLLTutorials

Common

Questions

and Issues

20

Should I glue or lubricate the models?

● Do not glue (permanently or temporarily) any

models even if they tend to “fall apart”

● Do not lubricate any models that seem hard to

activate

● You should not make models behave diﬀerently

than the ones at your competition

● If models are not acting as intended, press

elements together and/or rebuild the model.

● Until FIRST issues an oﬃcial update, do not

deviate from oﬃcial build instructions.

21

Is my model operating correctly?

● You can compare your model

with another local team’s

models.

● If you do not have a local team

to consult, use this video to

make sure the model is

operating correctly.

● If it does not look and behave in

the same way, rebuild your

model.

22

Leftovers

● There are always some small

leftover elements

● The image on the right shows all

the leftover elements from every

bag number once you have ﬁnished

building the models

● There should be no large elements

leftover

● Bag 4 of MASTERPIECE contains a lot of

extra LEGO bricks that are used in

Mission 04 (MASTERPIECE) (see the

Robot Game Rulebook for further

instructions on this mission.)

23

No Build Instructions

● No build instructions for a bag

number simply means the bricks are

used in some other way

● Bag 15 contains team souvenirs

(badges, tiles) as well and 6

precision tokens which are used by

the referee (see Robot Game

Rulebook).

● See the next page for building

instructions for the badges.

24

Build Instructions

25

Missing Items

● It is very uncommon to be missing a LEGO element or a whole bag.

● Can’t ﬁnd a small part?

○ Check the bags, check the ground, and check to see that the element

was not used earlier in another step by mistake.

● Can’t ﬁnd the dual-lock?

○ Check the box again - it tends to blend in with the cardboard

● Can’t ﬁnd a larger item?

○ Check the unnumbered bags or bottom of the box.

26

Tip: To prevent losing elements, make sure that you empty the bags of LEGO on to a

tray or container of some kind rather than on the ﬂoor or table.

Missing Items

● If you really can’t ﬁnd an item, call

LEGO for help: 1-800-422-5346

(USA/CAN) or 00800 5346 5555

(International), You can also visit the

missing parts/customer service page

of the LEGO website

● You will need to know the set number

(45823) and the part you need. The

Element Overview document in the

Building Instructions section will tell

you the part number.

27

Issues and Tips

Speciﬁc to

MASTERPIECE

28

Start & End Position for Experts

29

Starts in

Either Home

Note: FIRST adapted this

image for its 9/26

Challenge Update

M02 Miniﬁgure Placement (X,Y)

30

Use of Coordinates by MK Baldwin

Ballerina Right Foot (6, 4)

Mouse: (3, 4)

Transparent Brick starts: (6,2)

Light Blue Assistant: Place on

upper thigh holes

Magician Right Foot: (3,5)

Green Actor Right Foot: (2,2)

Brown Actor: 2X2 plate in

corner

White Railing Corner (7, 3)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

6

5

4

3

2

1

6

5

4

3

2

1

6

5

4

3

2

1

M03 and M06 Miniﬁgure Placement (X,Y)

31

Purple Left Foot: (6, 4)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

6

5

4

3

2

1

Note: Activated model

(orange lever pushed in all

the way) spins Singer

Singer Right Foot: (3, 5)

1 2 3 4 5 6

M05 Miniﬁgure Placement

32

When model is at the start-of-match

position (ﬂower petals are closed)

M05 Model Behavior

● This model seems to be behaving diﬀerently for

diﬀerent teams.

● The Challenge Update from 10/16 states: “Teams

should prepare to rotate the orange activation lever

of the augmented reality statue mission model a full

180 degrees.”

33

TIP: Teams need to be prepared for some variation in models as long as it is within the normal expected

behavior of the model. They can graciously ask the referee to check a model prior to a robot run.

M08 Error

● In the Robot Game Rulebook,

the images for M08 seem to

indicate that the Orange Stop

lies past the light blue tile

when down.

● However, if you follow the

build instructions, the Orange

Stop lays over the light blue

tile.

● An oﬃcial Challenge Update

was issued on 8/22 about this

error. Please follow the

Building Instructions.

34

Robot Game Rulebook

Build Instructions for Bag 7

Bag 7 Error

● The ﬁrst page indicates that you

need four 2X16 white plates.

However, you need ﬁve of them to

build the model.

● The opening page also does not

mention that you need two 13M lift

arms in white from the unnumbered

bags.

● The extra parts are in the

unnumbered bags.

35

Bag 8 Error

● The opening page of

instructions does not

mention that you also

need two 13M light

blue liftarms from the

unnumbered bags.

36

Bag 9 Error

● The opening page of the

instructions does not

indicate you need a white

13M from an unnumbered

bag.

37

Credits

● This document is created and maintained by

FLLTutorials.com where you can access lessons, worksheets

and guides for the current season.

● Thank you to members of Facebook Group, FLL: Share &

Learn for sharing some of the content used in this document

such as problems with the models.

38

Bag 11 Error

● Step 12 points to the wrong part of the model. Be careful where you

insert the parts.

39

Insert here