How to Use the LEGO Mindstorm NXT to Teach Kids About Robotics
LEGO Mindstorm NXT kits are an excellent way to teach kids about robotics. More importantly, these kits are an excellent way to introduce kids to the skills underlying the robotic revolution--mechanics, electronics and computer programming. Let the kids put together the robots from the kits to learn the mechanics behind turning parts into systems. Let the kids configure the sensors to learn about electronics. Let the kids program the software to learn about computer programming. Let them do as much as possible; especially let them make mistakes, because they learn from mistakes. You can always nudge them back on the path.
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Instructions
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Let the kids assemble a Lego Mindstorm NXT kit; it is a good way to start teaching kids about basic mechanics. The advantage of using Mindstorm over other kid-friendly technologies is that most kids are already familiar with building things with Legos. Once the robot is running, it demonstrates mechanical principles every day. For example, most wheeled robots make a left turn by locking the left wheels and contuning to drive the right wheels. Mechanical principles involving time, angles and torque become real when you watch a robot in operation.
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Learn electronics by connecting the sensors, part of the Mindstorm kit, to the legs or drive wheels. The standard sensors include sound sensors, touch sensors, and InfraRed (IR) sensors. Connecting these sensors to the motion-controls teaches electronics in a fun and memorable way. Electricity is no longer abstract when you see the direct connection between how the sensors are wired up and the behavior of the robot.
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Learn programming by writing the programs that control the relationship between the sensors and the motion controllers. The brain of the LEGO Mindstorm robot is called the brick. It is a programmable chip that was originally developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for robotic control. There is software that comes with he LEGO Mindstorm NXT kits that allows you, or better yet the kids, to write the software that controls the robot. The program can be downloaded from your PC to the brick through a standard Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection.
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Tips & Warnings
When working with kids you have to make it fun. If it is not fun, they will not do it, and if it is fun they will do it forever.
It is too easy to build everything yourself and just let the students watch. This may produce a better robot more quickly but it misses the point entirely. It is much better to let the kid be in charge and wind up with an inferior robot and a motivated and interested kid.
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- Photo Credit nuemros image by juanjo tugores from Fotolia.com
