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...

I am trying to create a wireless remote control program for the RCX. I reckon I'm almost there, with a relatively efficient program (has to be, for wireless download!). However, whenever I try to send it to the robot, it comes up with a window saying:
"
PROGRAMMING ERROR: You can only ...

In this activity, the students first choose an animal that they want to create and think about the types of motion that the animal does. Then, they approximte the animal's motion using gears and motors. This is a good way to use gears and motors in a situation other than a car. At the end, present y...

Does anybody have plans for a seismograph?

In this activity, design and construct an RCX sturdy car and program it to be controlled by touch sensors that can push “dirt”
See "Bulldozer-RCX" PDF for detailed instructions.

Picture of an underwater robot middle school students made.

In this activity, design and construct an RCX car that can bridge a one
foot gap without falling.

In this activity, design and construct an RCX or NXT car and program it to enter
a tunnel, then reverse back out when it encounters a darker light reading.
See the Activity PDF's for detailed instructions.