Project 1 (Year 6) Creating a startup sequence.

In this project Year 6 students program the robot to perform a combination of actions as a creative startup sequence.  I first introduced this by discussing other startup sequences we are already familiar with such as the one on an iPhone or iPad.  This startup sequence will warn others that the robot is about to do something.

I demonstrated the use of the LEGO Mindstorms NXT software and how to connect the USB cable from the computer to the robot itself.  We also discussed the importance of naming and saving files correctly.  Here is the demonstration program I made:

A worthwhile extension activity for this project is to create a flow chart in Word which describes the startup sequence visually.  Here is the corresponding flow chart for my program:

Note: Normally I would teach the designing and flow chart creation before we started programming but for this first project I found it worked better this way: it is easier for the students to understand the flow chart's meaning after they have had some experience with the robot.

Students name the robots.

Following our successful trial of the NXT we bought and assembled three more to use with a class of 16 Year 6 students.  I found the ratio of four students to one robot works quite well in the classroom.  Next I wanted to individualise the robots somehow so I held a naming competition in which students submitted suggestions anonymously and then voted as a class.  Each robot has a different coloured lamp and matching scarf tied around its “neck” which influenced the vote.  This makes identifying them much easier (in case of breakage, low battery, etc.) and adds a sense ownership for the students.  In the end we settled on the following identifying features:

1) Rusty – red lamp, red scarf
2) Cabbage – green lamp, green scarf
3) Vector – yellow lamp, purple scarf

4) Sparkle – white lamp, white scarf

Note: You can set the name to display on the robot’s screen using the software application!

Testing the robot in school.

This is my first build.  It is basically the stock one, as described in the included instruction manual, but with the following important modifications.

1) Removed the touch sensor on the back

2) Removed the arm attachment on the front

3) Added the lamp (with a coloured brick) on the front

Removing the touch sensor and the arm attachment make the robot much more durable in the classroom.  Adding the lamp allows for more instant visual feedback to the students. 

Placing our first order.

We ordered a robot and the software in order to test it in our computer suites and with our students.  Note that this is not the site licence, we will order that later after we are satisfied that this is suitable for our Year 6, Year 7 and Year 8 students.  Also, there are updates for both the application software and the robot firmware available on their website.

Your order is now being processed and will be sent to you as soon as possible.

Product	Item Price	Qty	Amount
LEGO MINDSTORMS Education Base Set	£209.99	1	£209.99
Goods Amount		£209.99
Shipping		£0.00
Tax		£42.00
Total Payable		£251.99

 Thank you for placing your order on the LEGO Education Website.

The LEGO Education Team
sales@legoeducation.eu

Product	Item Price	Qty	Amount
LEGO MINDSTORMS Education NXT Software v.2.0	£49.99	1	£49.99
Goods Amount		£49.99
Shipping		£4.95
Tax		£10.99
Total Payable		£65.93

 Thank you for placing your order on the LEGO Education Website.

The LEGO Education Team
sales@legoeducation.eu

School robotics research.

In order to teach robotics and get robots into the hands of our students we investigated Arduino, Engduino, Raspberry Pi, PIC, LEGO Mindstorms and many others, all great tech with their own merits.  Understanding what they can and can’t do (and how much they cost) took considerable research!  We also consulted people in industry and academia, including professors at UCL's Department of Computer Science.  Ultimately though, our decision was driven by a simple question; which of these technologies engages students the most while providing the best opportunities for learning?  Based on our investigations, we concluded that LEGO Mindstorms was the best option.  The other four, listed above, have steep learning curves at the start due to the complexity of the programming languages used.  Also the additional parts, such as motors and wheels, need to be purchased separately, are more difficult to assemble, and are less durable.