Tag: building

Crossing the Gap

Crossing the gap 2

Crossing the Gap is a free-form robotics activity that requires a minimal amount of setup. It is an excellent choice for novices, but can also present a challenge to experienced students. The idea for this activity came from an earlier post. One of our after-school robotics classes recently completed this unit – check out the […]

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Music box

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Design and construct a working music box in which LEGO mini-figures move while a song plays. This lesson is one in a series of introductory lessons that is applicable to all types of robotics kits. The lessons are geared to students in early primary to middle school (depending on the lesson). Additional material, specific to certain kits, […]

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Sturdy car: The drop test

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Design and construct a car that remains intact when dropped from ankle to mid-shin height onto the floor. Vary the drop height to make the activity more or less challenging.      Hint: The car doesn’t necessarily have to include the EV3, NXT or RCX brick (and saving the brick from a hard knock might […]

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Strongest shape

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Investigate different shapes in order to determine which shape is strongest. With results from your investigation, design and construct a number of roofs to be placed on a previously built house. Then test the structures by pushing on the top of the roof. Note: The lesson plan attached to this post was designed as part […]

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Sturdy tower

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The idea of this challenge is to build a structure capable of supporting a textbook. The structure must be at least as high as one hand width, although changing the height restriction can make the task more or less challenging. How would you design and construct a tower (approx. 10-15 centimetres high) with LEGO bricks […]

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How can we build a sturdy wall?

An example sturdy wall

Students will investigate the properties of sturdy structures by constructing a LEGO wall. The wall must be about 6 bricks high and withstand the “Flick Test”. The Flick Test involves flicking the top of the wall to see if it fails or tips over. Lesson features: Predicting structurally sound building practices. Class discussion of different […]

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