In this activity students explore how a propeller's size can influence the amount of propulsion they will get. They will build a simple set-up where they can record how many revolutions a certain propeller makes in a set time. This can be compared to the same set-up with different sized propellers. ...

Students will explore how changing gear ratios can increase the or decrease the propulsion they get from their propeller. This activity can also be done in conjunction with the Propulsion - prop size activity in this Underwater Robotics unit.

NOTE: The RCX should never be submerged in...

In this underwater activity students build a boat with two motors and touch sensors that they must navigate through a small course.

NOTE: The RCX cannot be submerged in the water.
Propellers can be bought at http://www.hobby-lobby.com/boatprop.htm
3/16" Drive dog props ...

In this activity students explore the concept of torque and build a "boat" with two propellers facing opposite directions. If you spread the motors apart the boat will spin faster and if you move them in it will spin slower. A great lead up activity to the Slalom Boating Activity also in this Underw...

Lesson Objective: To teach students about algorithms and programming.
Materials Needed: LEGO RCX kits, extra LEGO pieces, light sensor, ring for bots to fight in made of a tape circle on the floor, Computers running ROBOLAB.
Procedure:
1. Teach the students about algorithms as...

Lego RCX Piano - made with 3 touch sensors

Popeye the Crab (named for his eye that continually popped off during construction) is a LEGO creation fabricated by a 14 year old boy. Popeye walks with a 3-point motion and runs automatically with a switching system on the back, which controls the pneumatic legs.

NXT motors are very easy to use, because of their built-in encoders. But, sometimes kids want to understand, or the teacher desires to explain how to collect information from a rotating axle. (The sensor has got its name because it is made of a light sensor and a sheet of paper only.)

Today you won't have troubles to buy an electronic compass from the shelf. But, sometimes you want to understand - or as a teacher - to explain how the compass direction can be turned into digital information. This sensor got its name, because it is made of a few LEGO pieces, the RCX, a magnet, a li...

Acceleration is a physical concept that is difficult to understand, although you can feel
it when driving on a roller coaster. This sensor might help kids to realize how
acceleration can be quantified. It got its name, because it is made of a few LEGO pieces,
the RCX, and some n...