In Spring 2001, the COE developed and began teaching a  “Robotics in the Classroom” workshop in which teachers learn to design, build and program robots using Lego Mindstorms Robotics Invention Systems.   During the workshop, teachers learn to use robotics to engage their students in real problem solving and collaborative learning while learning math, science, and technology concepts at a concrete level.

Example Classroom Activities for Teachers and Students:

Using Robotics and Congruent Triangles: High School Geometry

Special Projects in Education CI 790
Robotics In the Classroom

Lego Robotics Webquest for Students

PowerPoint Presentation Made by Students to Demonstrate Lego Robotics

Back to the top

On March 2, 2002, the College of Education and the College of Engineering  at WSU will co-sponsor the second annual Lego Mindstorms Challenge.  Twenty-one Kansas teams of 4th – 8th grade students will come together to compete in five robotics challenges designed by WSU engineering students.  The teams will also have an opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned to professional Wichita engineers and educators in an oral presentation, table display and notebook. Sportsmanship and spirit will be judged throughout the day to promote collaboration and teamwork.

Photo Album of Lego Mindstorms Robotics Challenge 2001

WSU Engineering Students work with Hadley Middle School students and Lego Mindstorm kits to prepare for a competition/expo for area students to be held March 31, 2001

Back to the top

Two robotics projects are currently under development for the Summer and Fall semesters:

• In June 2002, the COE will hold a Robotics Camp for students who have completed 4th- 7th grades. The camp will also serve as a practicum opportunity for teachers who want to develop lesson plans to integrate robotics into their classroom curriculum.
• A course for Fall 2002 using Logo and Robotics to teach math, logic, and problem solving is also under development.

Robotics in the Classroom Opportunities for Teachers

Robotics Classroom Opportunities for Students

Back to the top

Lego Mindstorms Official Web Site - Everything about all of the Mindstorms Products

Wichita Public Schools use Lego Robotics in after school clubs and computer classes.

• Robinson Middle School Lego Robotics

• Hadley Middle School Lego Robotics 

ESG Lego Robotics Seminar - A basic robotics and mechanics class at MIT that teaches how to build a functioning robot using Lego bricks.

J and J's Robotics in the Classroom - Kids and teachers learn how to build and program robots. Links to Robodome, a classroom designed specifically to teach robotics.

Tufts University - The Center for Engineering Educational Outreach

Minnesota First Lego League - An academic competition that allows kids to demonstrate their creativity, teamwork, and understanding of technology competing with Lego robots they designed, built and programmed themselves.

MIT Programmable Brick Project - The research project from which Mindstorms grew. Lots of information here, in geek-digestible form.

MIT's Lego Robot Design Competition Project - Students are given a kit with Lego parts, sensors, motors, wire, batteries, and electronics. They have one month to design and build a computer-controlled robot.

Multidisciplinary Engineering Design Laboratory - College of Engineering at the University of Notre Dame. Features the work of seven design and engineering groups using the Lego system. 

Robotic Design Studio - Students learn how to design, assemble, and program robots made out of Lego parts, sensors, motors, and a palm-sized computer. Includes an on-line museum of robot projects.

 Weird Richard's Lego Bricks - Offers hundreds of lesson plans and activities using Lego bricks.

Back to the top