At Awesome Ninjas, we believe that being on an FLL team is about so much more than coding robots or completing missions — it’s about building friendships, learning to support each other, and growing as a team. This season, as we dive into the UNEARTHED challenge, we’re also digging deeper into what it means to be teammates. Along the way, we’re adding fun activities that strengthen our bond and remind us that success is always sweeter when shared.
One of our favorite traditions is ending each session with Shoutouts. Every Ninja gives a shoutout to someone else on the team, highlighting something positive they noticed — maybe a cool idea, a helpful action, or just great energy. These little words of encouragement build confidence and remind us to look for the best in each other. Sometimes we even write them down on sticky notes and add them to our “Wall of Awesome,” so the positivity grows all season long.
We also love team challenges that mix fun with problem-solving. One of our go-to activities is a LEGO Build Challenge, where everyone gets a handful of random LEGO pieces and we try to build something together. To make it trickier, we start without talking for a few minutes. It’s hilarious, but it also shows us how important teamwork and communication are when solving problems.
Another tradition we’ve adopted is celebrating failures as learning moments. Whenever the robot doesn’t behave as expected, instead of feeling frustrated, we cheer together and remind ourselves, “Fail = Learn!” This way, mistakes aren’t something to fear — they’re stepping stones toward success.
We also make sure everyone gets a chance to lead by rotating mini-roles each week, like Robot Tester, Shoutout Leader, or Materials Organizer. These small responsibilities give each Ninja the chance to shine and remind us that every role is valuable in making the team stronger.
And of course, what’s a Ninja team without a strong identity? From creating our team flag and mascot to cheering each other on at competitions, we’ve learned that the stronger our spirit, the stronger our performance.
These activities may only take a few minutes, but they make a big difference. They remind us that robotics isn’t just about what happens on the mat — it’s about the friendships we build, the confidence we grow, and the lessons of teamwork that will stay with us far beyond the season.
As Awesome Ninjas, we’re not just building robots — we’re building each other up, one shoutout, one laugh, and one challenge at a time.