A network of FIRST alumni

A college fund, built from forgotten bricks.

Bricks Scholarships turns retired FLL robotics sets into a self-sustaining scholarship fund for graduating FIRST students who have the motivation and drive to further their education.

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Impact at a Glance

How impactful can your LEGOs be?

28
Years of FLL & FIRST Partnership, Ending 2026
750,000,000
Estimated number of LEGO pieces lost in FIRST storage
2027
Estimated start of fund

Mission Statement

Building the next chapter, one brick at a time.

Bricks Scholarships is a network of FIRST alumni on a mission to award merit-based scholarships to graduating FIRST students who demonstrate the motivation, capability, and drive to further their education.

Merit-based means our scholarships are awarded based on a student's achievements, initiative, and potential. We evaluate candidates through a combination of a short assessment, a personal essay, and a video submission, giving us a well-rounded view of who they are and how they want to make an impact on their communities and the world.

With your team's help, we collect neglected and formerly used FLL sets, Mindstorms, and game pieces, then use them as the capital for an investment fund. The fund is structured as a tax-exempt entity under a 501(c)(3) nonprofit investment pool (pending approval), creating a sustainable, self-sufficient source of scholarship funding in perpetuity.

We plan for the first scholarships to begin paying out starting the 2027 school year, with applications and reviews taking place during the 2027 Michigan State Competition.

A FIRST robotics competition match in progress, with a themed judging tower and robots on the field

Here for all builders

How the system works

Donated FLL Sets

Teams donate lego bricks, the boards and motors, they'd otherwise store or toss once a season ends.

An Investment Fund

Donations become the baseline capital for a fund designed to grow and sustain itself for the long run.

Scholarships

FIRST students apply for and receive scholarship payouts, laptops, and other tools to help further their education and drive.

Starting 2027

Applications and reviews take place during the 2027 Michigan State Competition, with recipients awarded following the competition.

Building the next chapter of students' lives, one forgotten brick at a time.

Our Story

The story of three brothers and too many LEGOs

Riley, Connor, and Duncan Cook taking a nighttime selfie together with Tokyo Tower lit up in the background
The Early Years

From a young age, our parents were deeply involved in robotics and helped start our school's first FLL team. That first year wasn't great, and we hardly won a match. But as any FIRST team knows, those early experiences are some of the most valuable.

Moving Up

We eventually moved school districts and progressed from FLL to FTC, embracing our new district's FRC team motto: Learn, Serve, Grow. As you moved up through the ranks, you were expected to go back and mentor the younger students behind you. All three of us mentored FLL teams while in FTC, and FTC teams while on our FRC team, creating a legacy of more and more teams being formed.

High School Robotics

Each of us joined our high school team, 2834, the Bionic Blackhawks: Riley in 2015, Connor in 2016, and Duncan in 2019. Team 2834 carried the "Learn, Serve, Grow" model forward and became known for helping launch hundreds of new FLL and FTC teams, as well as hosting FLL States. This approach eventually led our team to win the Chairman's Award at the 2018 World Championship, followed by induction into the FIRST Hall of Fame. We still carry that motto with us today.

The Hidden Legos

During COVID, our former team, 2834, moved facilities to a new shop and accidentally left behind years' worth of old FLL board sets, amounting to tens of thousands of LEGO pieces. That's when we realized: most teams have no plan for what happens to their LEGOs once a season's game is over. They're often just left in storage with no future use. This problem is only going to grow, since the 2026 FLL season will be the last of its kind, leaving even more LEGOs with no future purpose unless someone gives them a second life.

Current Operations

We came up with the idea to give those bricks new purpose, turning them into the baseline capital for a scholarship fund. By donating your team's forgotten LEGOs, you help us prepare more students for life after high school and college. We've been in contact with teams across the state ever since, making trips to schools to dig through old storage closets and rescue forgotten LEGOs.

Get to know us

Our Team

Riley Cook
Riley Cook
Co-Founder

I fondly remember when I was 8 years old and first started to engage with FLL, I loved lego and when I found out that it was not merely a Lego club as originally thought I was ecstatic. Especially after learning that it was possible to make a lego into a robot. I learn how to program and loved every minute of tinkering with new mechanisms freshly made out bit of legos. First Robotics was instrumental, through FTC and FRC, leading me towards Michigan Tech where, studied physics and economics. I now work with Financal Technology and develop digital reserve technology through my firm Future in Motion. However, my love for systems and financial innovation has lead me along with my brothers towards this exciting new charitable endeavor.

EconomicsPhysicsFRC · FTC · FLL
LinkedIn
Connor Cook
Connor Cook
Co-Founder

Team 2834 alumnus, where he served as Lead Strategist, Drive Coach, and Team Captain. He attended Michigan Technological University on the College of Business Impact Scholarship. While at Michigan Tech, he raced for the ski team, served as President of the Finance Club, earned Dean's List honors, and managed the university's $2.4 million investment fund through the Applied Portfolio Management Program (APMP). He graduated with a degree in Finance. Connor is currently working on startup projects and is in the early stages of earning the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. He is passionate about making lasting and sustainable differences in communities through actions like the Quincy Beach transformation project and non profits like this.

FinanceOutreachStart Ups
LinkedIn
Duncan Cook
Duncan Cook
Co-Founder

The youngest of the three, Duncan is on track to earn a degree in Systems Engineering at Michigan Technological University, and works on how the fund is structured to run itself.

Systems EngineeringOperationsFRC · FTC · FLL
LinkedIn
Scholarship Applications

Opening 2027.

We are so excited to give out resources to help you with your next chapter. There's no application yet, but when it opens, here's what to expect.

Short Assessment

A brief evaluation to understand your background and goals.

Personal Essay

Tell us about your drive! We want to learn about you.

Video Submission

Show us the impact you want to make in your community.

Get notified when applications open

Become a Member

Volunteer with Bricks Scholarships

We're a small team, and there's plenty of room to help beyond donating bricks.

Pickup & Logistics

Help coordinate pickups and drop-offs with donating teams in your area.

More than just Legos

Once we become a non-profit we will start accepting business donations to help increase our scope

Spread the Word

Talk to teams at competitions and events about donating their old sets. As well as, encouraging Students to apply to the scholarship.

Fund Operations

Lend a hand with the administrative and financial side of running the fund.

Ready to help?

Reach out and we would love to work with you

Connor Cook : 248-657-3745
cook.connor.p@gmail.com

Got a question for us?

Frequently asked questions

How do I donate my team's old FLL sets?

Reach out to Connor directly by phone or email below. We'll coordinate pickup or drop-off.

When do scholarships start paying out?

We plan for the first scholarships to begin paying out starting the 2027 school year, with applications and reviews taking place during the 2027 Michigan State Competition.

Who is eligible to apply?

Graduating FIRST students who demonstrate the motivation, capability, and drive to further their education. Scholarships are awarded on merit, evaluated through a short assessment, a personal essay, and a video submission. Full application details will be shared ahead of the 2027 review period.

Can I get a scholarship if I'm not going to college?

Yes! As application season starts we will come out with more specifics but generally if you are furthering your education in almost any capacity we encourage you to apply

What items can I donate?

FLL boards, motors, bricks, Mindstorms kits, Electronics, Laptops and game pieces. Basically anything from a retired season that would otherwise sit in storage or get thrown out.

Do I need a full set, or can I donate loose pieces?

Either works! Give us a call, anything and everything helps, even non lego items.

Is my donation tax-deductible?

Bricks Scholarships operates as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so donations may be tax-deductible. We recommend consulting a tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Is Bricks Scholarships affiliated with the LEGO Group or FIRST?

No. We're an independent, alumni-run scholarship fund built by former FIRST participants and is NOT an official program of FIRST or the LEGO Group.

How is the scholarship fund managed?

Donated sets are converted into capital for an investment fund structured to grow and sustain itself over time, providing scholarship funding in perpetuity rather than as a one-time payout.

How can I apply if I'm a student?

Applications will open ahead of the 2027 Michigan State Competition. Check back here or follow our updates for details on the application timeline and requirements.

How can I get involved if I don't have FLL sets to donate?

Reach out below! We're always looking for volunteers, mentors, and partners to help spread the word or support the fund in other ways.

Get Involved

Have old FLL sets sitting in storage?

Reach out and let's talk about donating your team's retired sets every call helps grow the fund.

Connor Cook : 248-657-3745
cook.connor.p@gmail.com