BEDFORD, NH – More than 500 students from across New Hampshire gathered on December 6 at Bedford High School for the New Hampshire FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) State Championship, an exciting celebration of STEM, teamwork, and innovation. Fifty of the state’s top teams of students in grades 4–8 competed for state titles and advancement opportunities at the culmination of the UNEARTHED™ season, part of the global FIRST AGE℠ program.
The event opened with inspiring remarks from Governor Kelly Ayotte, Dr. Alix Martin, archaeologist and anthropologist at Strawbery Banke Museum, and Chris Rake, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of FIRST.
During the opening ceremony, Governor Ayotte praised the impact of FIRST programs on students across the state, saying, “FIRST LEGO League teaches students problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork. Learning these skills at an early age sets kids up for a lifetime of success. I thank FIRST for the work they’re doing to help the next generation of innovators learn and grow in New Hampshire.”
Dr. Martin encouraged students to carry the spirit of discovery forward beyond the competition season, challenging them to think about how their skills can shape the future: “I invite you to keep archaeology in mind even when this season of FIRST ends—how can the thrill of discovery motivate you in the future? How can you use technology and specialized tools in new and creative ways? And how can we best translate the work we each find exciting so that we excite those around us?”
Throughout the day, teams showcased their robotic designs, coding skills, research projects, and collaborative problem-solving while demonstrating the program’s Core Values of innovation, teamwork, and Gracious Professionalism®.
Champion’s Award (Overall Excellence)
- 1st Place Champion & World Festival Advancement:
Team 64083 – Archaeological Arachnids Lyme (Lyme Elementary School) - 2nd Place Champion:
Team 15971 – Saucy Blue Box – Windham (homeschool team) - 3rd Place Champion:
Team 69575 – Team Chaos in Control – Deerfield (homeschool team)
Robot Performance Award
- 1st Place:
Team 65244 – Max Recursion Depth – Nashua (Academy for Science and Design) - 2nd Place:
Team 65243 – Sea Serpents – Nashua (Academy for Science and Design) - 3rd Place:
Team 15971 – Saucy Blue Box – Windham (homeschool team)
Robot Design Award
- 1st Place:
Team 59406 – Hive – Nashua (homeschool team) - 2nd Place:
Team 69384 – Team Major – Windham (community team) - 3rd Place:
Team 70731 – Flaming Phoenix – Nashua (Academy for Science and Design)
Innovation Project Award
- 1st Place:
Team 72058 – Keepers of the Past – Nashua (Academy for Science and Design/community team) – mixed team of students from ASD and other schools - 2nd Place:
Team 71402 – Artifactors – Nashua (Main Dunstable) - 3rd Place:
Team 61146 – The BrickBots – West Ossipee (4-H team)
Core Values Award
- 1st Place:
Team 68965 – Wildcat Nerds – Haverhill (homeschool team) - 2nd Place:
Team 65629 – Lego Lickitungs – Nashua (Academy for Science and Design) - 3rd Place:
Team 46950 – Guac-A-Moles – Lyme (community team)
Judges’ Awards
- Team 40395 – Bot Conquerors – Portsmouth (community team)
- Team 13751 – A Bunch of Breakfast – Stratham (Stratham Cooperative Middle School)
- Team 65244 – Max Recursion Depth – Nashua (Academy for Science and Design)
Volunteer & Mentor Recognition
- Young Adult Mentor Award: Abinayya Appusamy – Team 60740 Geo Bobcats (team from Bicentennial, Nashua, young mentor Abinayya attends the Academy for Science and Design in Nashua)
- Adult Mentor Award: Jenna Bergervin – Team 40395 Bot Conquerors (Portsmouth Community Team)
Volunteer & Mentor Recognition
Two longtime volunteers, Dave and Nancy Kelso, received special recognition for their years of extraordinary service, including their work redesigning the practice field system.
The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Jamie Deer, honored for her leadership across multiple FIRST programs and her advocacy for inclusive participation and Women in FIRST initiatives.
The New Hampshire FIRST LEGO League State Championship is made possible through the generous support of BAE Systems, global sponsors LEGO® Education and The LEGO Foundation, and FIRST LEGO League division sponsor Rockwell Automation.
Advancing teams will now represent New Hampshire on the world stage at the FIRST Championship World Festival in Houston, Texas, April 29 – May 2, 2026. For more information about FIRST New Hampshire and its programs statewide, visit www.firstnh.org