Mindstorms for Schools (LEGO) You are viewing a resource description from the Consumers Guide to Afterschool Science Resources.

Browse all 38 Resources Previous | Next

Resource Details for: Mindstorms for Schools (LEGO) Science Content Expert Review by: Leif Asper Afterschool Program Expert Review by: Emilio De Torre

Mindstorms for Schools (LEGO) Resource Description: Using Mindstorms for Schools, one of the only programs of its kind for classroom use, student groups use computers to program LEGO machines. It's a challenging, exciting, and professionally designed curriculum that teaches physics, robotics, and mechanics all at once, but it does have some potential problems—leaders must be trained to troubleshoot both student and computer-related issues, as the activities can be quite complex and the software difficult to use. It may be worth waiting on this substantial investment until the new version of Mindstorms is released later in 2006. Cost Category: More than $100 Price Details: $1,000 to $1,250 for a class set; access to computers is necessary Duration: A series of sessions that lasts at least one semester Format: Instructors Guide, Kit or Materials Grades: grades 4 to 12 Suitable for Multiple Uses?: can be reused Content Domain(s): physics Part of Series?: no URL: http://mindstorms.lego.com/eng/products/ris/index.asp Reviews Detailed Review by Emilio De Torre (reviewer bio): Short Synopsis: Mindstorms for Schools is a comprehensive, well-designed, professional, and engaging curriculum that explores mechanics, engineering, robotics, and programming. The curriculum is science-focused and filled with sequentially ordered activities designed to educate. The combination of Mindstorms for Schools (LEGO) sets and computer software will give small groups of young adults (especially accelerated learners, middle to high school) the experience of a hands-on curriculum which, if it is facilitated properly, they will talk about excitedly for years to come. This program will need to be studied carefully by the instructors beforehand, as it is a science-education curriculum foremost and a fun LEGOs-and-robots activity secondarily. If your afterschool center has the resources and the student interest, I heartily recommend this program. Detailed Review by Leif Asper (reviewer bio): Short Synopsis: Having used these materials for years, I think LEGO Mindstorms offers a unique and ingenious means of teaching robotics and computer programming to students of various ages. There are, however, many pitfalls to using these materials—chiefly cost, required computer workstations, and necessary instructor training—and it is extremely important that educators be aware of the underlying limitations before they make such a large purchase.