LEGO MINDSTORMS Workshop - Agenda
Facilitator: Jackie de Vries (Elm Creek School)
9:00 – 9:10 – Welcome / Introductions
9:10 – 9:40 – Introductory PowerPoint – pieces, how to use the kits
9:40 – 10:30 – Robotics in Industry
10:30 – 10:45 – Coffee/Refreshment Break
10:45 – 12:00 – Building Time
12:00 – 1:00 – Lunch
1:00 – 1:30 – Intro to Programming – sounds, basic programming, downloading
1:30 – 3:00 – Programming Time – challenges, Educator
3:00 – 3:30 – Demonstrations; Classroom use; Question Time
LEGO MINDSTORMS Workshop
The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT set is a robotics kit designed by the LEGO Group that allows users to create programmable robots.
There are three main parts to using the NXT set:
-
Building the robot
-
Motors (allow it to drive, swivel, launch, etc.)
-
Sensors (light, sound, touch, ultrasonic)
-
Cables
-
Additional LEGO pieces (beams, axles, gears, pegs)
-
Programming the robot
-
Very easy to use program (drag-and-drop)
-
Can tell the robot where to go, how to respond to its surroundings, which sensor to read, etc.
-
Download the programs to the robot through
-
USB cable
-
Bluetooth (wireless) connection
-
Activating the robot
-
After downloading the program to the robot, the robot can be activated using the buttons on the NXT Intelligent Brick
Curriculum Connections
-
Science
-
Grade 5: Forces and Simple Machines
-
Grade 7: Forces and Structures
-
Grade 11: Physics
-
Design Process
-
Computer Programming (ICT courses)
-
Language Arts – instructions (writing, following)
Some things to consider when using the NXT sets:
-
Time: during class time (1 – 2 weeks), full day (1 – 2 days)
-
Space: room to test robots, computers to do the programming, room that can be locked
-
Grouping: 2 – 4 students, variety of learning styles
-
Better to provide opportunities than step-by-step instructions
-
Use an inquiry approach or scaffolding approach
-
Prairie Rose School Division
-
4 NXT sets
-
1 resource kit
-
Teachers may book the kits through Elm Creek School Library
-
You need to attend a workshop before booking the kits
-
Please contact Lisa Schroeder (436-2354)
-
Iberville School
-
2 NXT sets
-
1 resource kit
Book Resources
The Unofficial LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Inventor’s Guide (David J. Perdue)
-
introduction to the NXT sets
-
explanation of pieces
-
practical building techniques (step-by-step instructions)
The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Idea Book
Internet Resources
LEGO MINDSTORMS (http://www.mindstorms.com) – building instructions, product information, advanced resources
NXTLOG (http://www.mindstorms.com/nxtlog) – display of robot creations, contests
MINDSTORMS NXT Building Instructions (http://www.freewebs.com/legorobots) – free building instructions
LEGO Education (http://www.legoeducation.com)
More links and additional information can be found at: http://www.nxtguide.davidjperdue.com (companion website for The Unofficial LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Inventor’s Guide |