The aim of this project is to show the nonlinear dynamics of a vertically driven pendulum using Lego NXT. I use this toy in my Nonlinear Dynamics classroom.

Below you find building instructions and a video of the toy.

A pendulum with a fixed suspension point has two eq...

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...

In this lesson, students will design and build a wheelchair that can hold a load about the size of a water bottle. Students will build their wheel chairs using the engineering design process and must follow specific design requirements.

This is part of the curriculum unit “Robot...

Eighth-grade students built LEGO balances that were accurate to within half a gram.

Eighth-grade students built LEGO balances that were accurate to within half a gram.

For this activity you will need an NXT brick, a wire, an NXT proximity sensor, and computers running MINDSTORMS

1. Have student design an alarm box that will detect when a person approaches the box. If students want to use more than one proximity sensor or a different sensor as we...

Does anybody have plans for a seismograph?

In this activity, use an NXT and a light sensor to collect data about the light conditions of the room. Can you find light sensor readings in the range of 0-30? 60-90? 90-100? Draw conclusions and make generalizations about light intensity in the room.
See "Scavenger Hunt" PDF for Detailed Di...

In this activity, use an NXT car equipped with a light sensor to determine the hidden Morse Code message (under a table or in another room). The message will be determined using light sensor collected data on a pass over of the message.
See "Morse Code" PDF for detailed Instructions

In this activity, use an NXT car equipped with a light sensor to determine the hidden letter message (under a table or in another room). The letter will be determined using light sensor collected data on 3 passes over of the letter
See "Find The Hidden Letter" PDF for Detailed Instructions