Crash Test Dummy

26 August 202026 August 2020
Cross-Platform, EV3
Challenge Ideas
Pedagogy
Reflections

Posted by Rob Torok

Here’s a quick, fun challenge that can be used as a filler at the end of a lesson or as introductory build to draw attention to the importance of robust construction. The challenge Design and […]

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Crash Test Dummy

The Wave

Posted by Rob Torok

This classic challenge is a great introductory activity. It works well with a standard Driving Base, such as the EV3 Robot Educator Mode or an equivalent quick build, and the programming is relatively straight forward. Its […]

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The Wave

Build a Duck

Posted by Rob Torok

This is very quick and fun activity with a deep message. The way it works is that everyone gets the six LEGO pieces shown below, and are then given the following challenge. The challenge Using only […]

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Build a Duck

Relay Race

Posted by Rob Torok

This challenge is all about communication. From a robot design perspective, there’s a technical challenge about how to make one robot signal another. But beyond that, there’s also a great opportunity for students to develop their […]

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Relay Race

Tufts Teacher Engineering Education Program (TEEP)

18 June 201918 June 2019
News
Pedagogy

Posted by Rob Torok

Tufts Teacher Engineering Education Program (TEEP) is a flexible, affordable, online, graduate credit-earning program from Tufts University Center for Engineering Education and Outreach (CEEO), that takes any K12 teacher on an 18 month journey leading […]

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Tufts Teacher Engineering Education Program (TEEP)

Steepest Incline

Posted by Rob Torok

This variation of the classic Ramp Climber challenge builds on the original challenge with the use of sensors to start and stop the robot. Framed in this way, it works well as a very basic intro to […]

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Steepest Incline

Using Video to Assess Robotics Students

21 November 20181 May 2020
Cross-Platform
Big Ideas
Pedagogy

Posted by Ian Chow-Miller

It’s okay to fail, you’re on camera! My school is in a 1:1 iPad district. Every student in our district from 2nd through 12th grade is given an iPad for use in school. As the […]

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Using Video to Assess Robotics Students

Insights From Robodogs Robotics Summer Camp

19 October 201718 July 2022
Cross-Platform, EV3
Challenge Ideas
Pedagogy
Reflections

Posted by Aaron Maurer

How do you design a robotics camp that pushes the envelope for repeat customers while also keeping the learning entry low enough for new students to feel success? How do you come up with new […]

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Insights From Robodogs Robotics Summer Camp

Why Doesn’t My Robot Drive Straight?

21 September 20171 May 2020
Cross-Platform, EV3
Featured
How To
Pedagogy

Posted by Rob Torok

It seems reasonable to expect that when you program a robot to drive straight, it should just work. And, of course, this is what the Move Steering block in the EV3 Software is designed to do. The Move Steering block makes use of […]

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Why Doesn’t My Robot Drive Straight?

Meet Pi

20 March 20173 March 2022
Challenge Ideas
Pedagogy

Posted by Kasia Nogalska

Some mathematical constants are difficult to explain, especially for young students. I believe that science is not only formulas and theory but also experiments. The best way to explain it to children is showing effects […]

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Meet Pi

A Week in the Life #12: Robot Monsters!

9 February 201718 July 2022
EV3
Challenge Ideas
Pedagogy
Reflections

Posted by Ian Chow-Miller

I teach an introductory course using the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 set. My students are 7th graders who are required to take the course and may not necessarily have any background in programming/building. My school is […]

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A Week in the Life #12: Robot Monsters!

Getting started with STEM and EV3

7 February 201711 May 2017
EV3
Getting Started
Pedagogy

Posted by Kasia Nogalska

“I hear and I forget. I see and remember. I do and I understand.” This well-known quote describes the most effective method of teaching students. If you let children play football or basketball, they discover […]

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Getting started with STEM and EV3

The importance of recording your work

31 August 201631 August 2016
Getting Started
Pedagogy

Posted by Asha

LEGO offers an amazing opportunity for students to build both easily and quickly. You don’t have to get specialized pieces and tools to make a robot or an engineering model. Students love being able to […]

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The importance of recording your work

A Week in the Life #10: Candy Sorter

27 June 201630 March 2017
EV3
Challenge Ideas
Pedagogy
Reflections

Posted by Ian Chow-Miller

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A Week in the Life #10: Candy Sorter

Assessing student work in robotics and engineering

10 December 20151 April 2016
Cross-Platform
Getting Started
Pedagogy

Posted by Rob Torok

In this video, Professor Ethan Danahy from Tufts University provides insights to his philosophies of assessment within his first-year intro-to-engineering course on robotics (using LEGO MINDSTORMS and LabVIEW Graphical Programming) and the techniques he uses […]

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Assessing student work in robotics and engineering

A Week in the Life #9: Walk This Way…

23 November 201514 December 2017
Pedagogy
Reflections

Posted by Ian Chow-Miller

Continue reading "A Week in the Life #9: Walk This Way…" →

A Week in the Life #9: Walk This Way…

A Week in the Life #8: Moving With Linkages

9 November 201521 September 2016
Cross-Platform, EV3
Challenge Ideas
Pedagogy
Reflections

Posted by Ian Chow-Miller

Continue reading "A Week in the Life #8: Moving With Linkages" →

A Week in the Life #8: Moving With Linkages

A Week in the Life #7: Sensor Fun

26 October 201510 February 2016
EV3
Pedagogy
Reflections

Posted by Ian Chow-Miller

This is the eighth of probably fourteen in a series of posts, each chronicling in detail the ins and outs of my Robotics class. I teach an introductory course using the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 set. […]

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A Week in the Life #7: Sensor Fun

Design, build, and program recycling solutions

17 October 201524 June 2016
Cross-Platform, NXT
Challenge Ideas
Pedagogy

Posted by Kellie Taylor

5th grade robotics project Equipment/Materials: 8 laptops 24 Mindstorms kits Internet access Purpose: To design, build, and program a working model for a real world recycling problem. In addition, students were required to demonstrate their […]

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Design, build, and program recycling solutions

A Week in the Life #6: Faster and Steeper

12 October 201510 February 2016
Pedagogy
Reflections

Posted by Ian Chow-Miller

This is the seventh of probably fourteen in a series of posts, each chronicling in detail the ins and outs of my Robotics class on a weekly basis. I teach an introductory course using the […]

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A Week in the Life #6: Faster and Steeper

A Week In the Life #5: Vroom, Vroom, Up, Up, and Away!

30 September 201510 February 2016
Pedagogy
Reflections

Posted by Ian Chow-Miller

This is the sixth of probably fourteen in a series of posts, each chronicling in detail the ins and outs of my Robotics class on a weekly basis. I teach an introductory course using the […]

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A Week In the Life #5: Vroom, Vroom, Up, Up, and Away!

A Week in the Life #4: Knock It Off!

25 August 20156 April 2020
Pedagogy
Reflections

Posted by Ian Chow-Miller

This is the fifth of probably fourteen posts, each chronicling in detail the ins and outs of my Robotics class… That’s how I normally begin posts in this series. This is a short digression to […]

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A Week in the Life #4: Knock It Off!

Wait Time

6 August 20153 April 2020
Cross-Platform
Pedagogy

Posted by Londa Posvistak

Year after year, it is my goal to continue to grow and improve the robotics program we have. After evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the class, an identified improvement was the need of a […]

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Wait Time

How to build and safely use a bridge tester

10 July 20156 January 2016
Cross-Platform
Pedagogy

Posted by Wade

Because I described how my students and I used a bridge tester to prepare for scaling up our walking machine in my TrotBot post, I thought I should describe how to use a bridge tester […]

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How to build and safely use a bridge tester

Liebherr Crawler crane finished!(?)

26 June 201527 July 2016
Pedagogy
Reflections

Posted by Melissa

This post continues the story of Melissa and her son, Lex, and follows on from their first post here and second post here. This is my last post on my build of the Liebherr Crawler […]

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Liebherr Crawler crane finished!(?)

What is creativity?

4 June 201530 November 2018
Pedagogy

Posted by Guest Contributor

This post is by guest contributor, Dr Tim Patston, Geelong Grammar School. In January of this year I began my position as Coordinator of Creativity and Innovation at Geelong Grammar School. Here at Geelong Grammar we […]

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What is creativity?

Pedagogy

The build begins (and stops and starts)

4 June 201527 July 2016
Pedagogy
Reflections

Posted by Melissa

This post continues the story of Melissa and her son, Lex, and follows on from their first post here. Lex was excited to get going on the build since pieces had arrived (some from […]

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The build begins (and stops and starts)

A Week in the Life #3: Wave Goodbye

21 May 201510 February 2016
Pedagogy
Reflections

Posted by Ian Chow-Miller

This is the fourth of probably fourteen posts, each chronicling in detail the ins and outs of my Robotics class. I teach an introductory course using the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 set. My students are 7th […]

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A Week in the Life #3: Wave Goodbye

Regular, old, LEGO Engineering (and some accidental learning)

21 May 20156 January 2016
Cross-Platform
Pedagogy
Reflections

Posted by Melissa

We homeschool. Unschool primarily, or hackschool, if you like. Our son, Lex, will turn thirteen this summer and has spent his life following his own interests, learning from the world around him and creating his […]

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Regular, old, LEGO Engineering (and some accidental learning)

A Week in the Life #2: Starting to Wave

29 April 201531 October 2017
Pedagogy
Reflections

Posted by Ian Chow-Miller

This is the third of probably fourteen posts, each chronicling in detail the ins and outs of my Robotics class. I teach an introductory course using the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 set. My students are 7th […]

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A Week in the Life #2: Starting to Wave

A Week in the Life #1: Play Well!

22 April 201531 July 2022
Pedagogy
Reflections

Posted by Ian Chow-Miller

This is the second of probably fourteen posts, each chronicling in detail the ins and outs of my Robotics class. I teach an introductory course using the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 set. My students are 7th […]

Continue reading "A Week in the Life #1: Play Well!" →

A Week in the Life #1: Play Well!

A Week in the Life #0: The GBC Debacle

14 April 201510 February 2016
Pedagogy
Reflections

Posted by Ian Chow-Miller

This is the first of probably fourteen posts, each chronicling in detail the ins and outs of my Robotics class. I teach an introductory course using the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 set. My students are 7th […]

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A Week in the Life #0: The GBC Debacle

Magic Moments

7 April 201521 December 2015
EV3
Pedagogy
Reflections

Posted by Ian Chow-Miller

Sometimes things come together in your class in such a way as to cause a smile to hit your face and remain there for the whole day. Here’s one such event: Why it’s cool: The […]

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Magic Moments

LEGO-based therapy

28 January 20151 August 2022
News
Pedagogy

Posted by Rob Torok

LEGO-based Therapy is a social development intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The goals of LEGO Therapy for such children are to: improve their motivation to initiate social contact with peers improve their […]

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LEGO-based therapy

Challenges in K-12 engineering education: Lessons from Massachusetts

18 January 201529 January 2015
Pedagogy

Posted by Jonathan Dietz

Although technology/engineering has been a part of the Massachusetts state curriculum frameworks since 2001, meaningful implementation has been slow for a number of reasons. For example, technology/engineering is considered outside the purview of the liberal-arts. […]

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Challenges in K-12 engineering education: Lessons from Massachusetts

Pedagogy

The Social Skills Network

2 December 201421 May 2015
Pedagogy

Posted by Jay

The Social Skills Network is made up of of students and their teachers engaged at school and online in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics using LEGO EV3 challenges. It is made up of Robotics Social […]

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The Social Skills Network

Pedagogy

Learning STEM in the Classroom

2 December 201427 September 2018
Pedagogy

Posted by Rob Torok

Chris Rogers, professor at Tufts University, explains why STEM education should be taught in the classroom in this video published by LEGO Education. See below for a transcript. Transcript My name is Chris Rogers and […]

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Learning STEM in the Classroom

Pedagogy

Learning Dimensions: Another way to assess

6 November 20141 April 2016
Getting Started
Pedagogy

Posted by Jonathan-Dietz

Mike Petrich and Karen Wilkinson, from the Tinkering Studio at San Francisco’s legendary Exploratorium museum, have created an alternative Learning Dimensions Framework for the assessment of student engagement in project-based learning. Students are assessed for […]

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Learning Dimensions: Another way to assess

Project rules to foster collaboration, not chaos

1 November 20145 November 2014
Pedagogy

Posted by Barbara Bratzel

Projects are an engaging way to teach STEM concepts, engineering design, and a host of soft skills—collaboration, communication, resilience. However, a project-based classroom can easily veer towards chaos and ugly competition. How do you encourage […]

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Project rules to foster collaboration, not chaos

Pedagogy

Assessment tools for group projects

14 October 201431 July 2022
Getting Started
Pedagogy

Posted by Dot

In our push to get more students involved in STEM subjects, we incorporated LEGO robotics into our high school Physics and our AP Physics 1 curricula. This meant that I had to develop a consistent […]

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Assessment tools for group projects

Robotics: A fresh approach to learning?

14 October 201421 December 2015
Pedagogy

Posted by Rob Torok

Robotics is a project-based activity that is motivating and engaging for many students. It draws on, and develops, learning related to the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Background I’m a teacher in […]

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Robotics: A fresh approach to learning?

Pedagogy

“Elementary Robotics” book review

14 August 20141 July 2016
Pedagogy

Posted by Anne Marie

Anne Marie Wyman received a copy of “Elementary Robotics” by John Heffernan for her post about The 6 tile challenge, and has kindly written this review… – Editor I recently read the book “Elementary Robotics” […]

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“Elementary Robotics” book review

Pedagogy

I no longer go to school to teach, I go to play!

16 July 201420 May 2016
Pedagogy

Posted by Londa Posvistak

I no longer go to school to teach, I go to play. I have become a coach and a tinkerer – not a teacher. Coaching students to think, solve problems, and ask questions; encouraging them […]

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I no longer go to school to teach, I go to play!

Pedagogy

Why I like educational robots

18 November 20131 August 2022
Getting Started
Pedagogy

Posted by Craig

With all the available STEM options, we often get asked Why Robotics? So here are some quick thoughts to kickstart your thirty second elevator speech for robotics program support. See what you think. I like educational robots because they […]

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Why I like educational robots

Sharing robots with 300 students

4 November 201331 July 2022
Pedagogy

Posted by Kellie Taylor

I am an engineering specialist for kindergarten through 5th grade students. Much as they would go to P.E. or Music weekly, my students come to my lab once a week for an hour each time. […]

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Sharing robots with 300 students

Pedagogy

Managing robotics equipment in the classroom

16 June 201318 July 2022
Getting Started
Pedagogy

Posted by Barbara Bratzel

Any teacher using LEGO robotics in the classroom quickly develops strategies for dealing with the multitude of plastic pieces. Here are some suggestions. Kits Ideally, each pair or small group of students should have its […]

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Managing robotics equipment in the classroom

Managing a project-based robotics classroom

16 June 20131 July 2016
Getting Started
Pedagogy

Posted by Barbara Bratzel

Running a project-based robotics classroom often raises new and different issues than those found in more traditional classrooms. Here are some tips for classroom management. Project Rules Set clear expectations for students. A sample list […]

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Managing a project-based robotics classroom

Tips for using LEGO materials with young children

11 June 201318 July 2022
Pedagogy

Posted by CEEO

Getting started with LEGO materials in the classroom with young children can be exciting and challenging. This article gives you some tips for making it easier and more effective. LEGO materials are a great platform […]

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Tips for using LEGO materials with young children

Pedagogy

Thinking outside the box: A look into LEGO organization and sorting

11 June 20138 June 2017
Getting Started
Pedagogy

Posted by CEEO

Whether you have a classroom full of bricks and RCXs or a brand new set of Technic beams and NXTs, teachers who use LEGO materials all have a common problem—how to organize those all of […]

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Thinking outside the box: A look into LEGO organization and sorting

How to keep track of all those student projects!

10 June 20131 August 2022
Pedagogy
Reflections

Posted by Kellie Taylor

As an elementary engineering teacher, I see approximately 550 students during the course of a week. In order to keep track of the numerous projects the students produce, I created simple name tags using large […]

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How to keep track of all those student projects!

What is LEGO WeDo?

30 May 20136 March 2016
WeDo
Pedagogy

Posted by John Burfoot

LEGO WeDo is a robotics hardware and software platform specifically designed for Kindergarten to Grade 2 students. As with other LEGO Education products it follows the 4 C’s process – Connect to a story, Construct […]

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What is LEGO WeDo?

It’s not rocket science: Keep it simple!

Posted by Damien Kee

The word ‘robotics’ can be a little intimidating to a teacher new to the field. I constantly encounter teachers who have been thrust unsuspectingly into the role of the ‘robotics teacher’ simply because they were […]

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It’s not rocket science: Keep it simple!

General Advice for Getting Started

1 January 201331 July 2022
Cross-Platform
Getting Started
Pedagogy

Posted by Rob Torok

To help you get started with LEGO robotics and engineering in the classroom, here is a collection of posts related to classroom management, kit storage, and assessment. Classroom management Starting a robotics program: The MINDSTORMS robotics […]

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