FIRST CANOPY
FIRST CANOPY connects the FIRST programmes through a biodiversity theme: ecosystems, interdependence, conservation, data, design and the role STEM can play in understanding life on Earth.
The launchpad into BSG Robotics.
AirBourne is BSG Robotics’ FIRST LEGO League pathway: a lunchtime club where younger students build, code, research, design and present through a themed robotics challenge.
Students meet during school lunchtimes to design, build, code, test and prepare their FIRST LEGO League work. The regular club format makes robotics visible, accessible and sustainable, while giving younger students their first serious pathway into engineering, coding, research and presentation.
FIRST LEGO League introduces younger students to STEM through hands-on robotics, coding, research, teamwork and an innovation project. It is the perfect launchpad into FIRST Tech Challenge and the wider BSG Robotics pathway.
Students work through a full season: understanding the challenge, building a LEGO robot, coding missions, testing ideas, researching the theme and presenting their project clearly as a team.
The 2026-27 FIRST CANOPY season is inspired by biodiversity and the world’s ecosystems. AirBourne students use BIOGLOW to explore how living systems connect, then turn that learning into robot missions, research and creative engineering.
FIRST CANOPY connects the FIRST programmes through a biodiversity theme: ecosystems, interdependence, conservation, data, design and the role STEM can play in understanding life on Earth.
BIOGLOW gives AirBourne students a fresh annual challenge: same accessible LEGO robotics platform, new missions, new research links and a new reason to get designing.
Students explore the BIOGLOW theme, robot missions, project brief, field layout and the science behind the season.
August launchStudents prototype LEGO mechanisms, test attachments, compare mission routes and learn from quick failures.
Design thinkingStudents build and refine their LEGO robot, attachments and project models, improving reliability each week.
Mechanical systemsStudents code autonomous mission runs, use sensors, debug movement and learn how small changes affect consistency.
Software & systemsStudents practise, present, celebrate progress and prepare to move confidently into the next stage of BSG Robotics.
Pressure & teamworkAirBourne is the starting point for the BSG Robotics pathway, giving younger students visible milestones through club sessions, showcase moments, visiting speakers and links to the wider STEM community.
Students build week by week towards a visible outcome: robot missions, research ideas, models, team explanations and confidence presenting what they have learned through BIOGLOW.
AirBourne builds the habits students need for StarBourne FTC: engineering confidence, clear communication, coding logic, teamwork and the courage to test ideas in front of others.
AirBourne gives younger students a complete first robotics experience by combining robot missions, research and team presentation into one connected programme.
Students design LEGO robots and attachments, then code mission runs with sensors, loops, logic and testing.
Students explore the BIOGLOW theme, identify problems linked to ecosystems and develop a creative solution.
Students practise communication, collaboration, resilience and presenting their learning clearly as a team.
FLL works because there is a real place for different strengths: building, coding, research, presentation, creativity, teamwork and problem-solving.
Students design LEGO mechanisms, test attachments, improve mission reliability and learn how design choices affect performance.
Students programme autonomous movement, use sensors, test mission routes and debug code through practical trial and improvement.
Students prepare research, project ideas, team explanations, posters, presentations and showcase materials.
AirBourne helps students practise the kind of skills that make them braver learners, stronger teammates and more confident future engineers, coders and leaders.
CAD, sketching, mechanisms, testing, design trade-offs and iteration.
Autonomous movement, driver controls, sensors, debugging and logic.
Game analysis, scoring choices, match planning, scouting and alliance thinking.
Explaining engineering decisions clearly and presenting as a confident team.
Roles, deadlines, communication, mentoring and looking after the team.
FLL gives students a powerful reason to communicate. They do not just build a robot; they explain design choices, reflect on mistakes, evidence improvements and show how their work affects others.
AirBourne is the start of the BSG Robotics pathway: accessible enough for younger students, structured enough to build real habits, and ambitious enough to prepare them for FIRST Tech Challenge in Year 8 and beyond.
FIRST LEGO League-Year 7 students begin with accessible robotics, coding, research, teamwork and presentation through LEGO-based challenge work.
FIRST Tech Challenge- Years 8–10 students progress into FTC: metal, motors, mechanisms, coding, game strategy, judging and regional competition.
Sixth Form students move into FRC: industrial-scale robotics, university-linked mentoring and international competition ambition.
AirBourne gives partners a direct way to support younger students taking their first confident steps into engineering, computing, biodiversity, communication and leadership through hands-on robotics.