What are Lego Mindstorms?

Lego Mindstorms are an educational package that combines the functionality of traditional Lego bricks with an easy to use expandable robotics platform. Together they enable students to explore key outcomes across STEM disciplines with a focus on the development of Digital Technology skills and competencies.

Lego Mindstorms EV3

Why would I use Lego Mindstorms in the Classroom?

With an easy to use drag and drop block style coding interface, in combination with advanced computational functions, students from as early as stage 2 all the way to stage 6 can embark upon adventures that require computational thinking and coding skills. With the step-by-step on device guide, it means even teachers with limited skills and experience in Digital Technologies can begin a STEM journey with their students. They in turn, are then empowered to work independently.

Curriculum Connections

In addition to Digital Technologies outcomes, the flexible nature of Lego means you can easily apply and integrate Mindstorms within your existing programs. Design, prototype and evaluate a solution in Design and Technologies. Utilise the on-board sensors and tools to take data-logging to a new level in Science. Then graph the results in the Mathematics classroom. Explore concepts of weather in Geography by further using the on-board smarts to create a weather station, then analyse and graph the results.

The Lego Australia Education team have released a curriculum to integrate with Key Learning areas in the Primary and Secondary Curriculum. In addition, there are numerous self-guided learning journeys that would be applicable to the Project-Based classroom. These resources, along with many more can be found on the Lego Education Australia Website:

General Lego Education Website

Lego Curriculum Links Page

Tips and Tricks in the eT4L environment

Working with Lego Mindstorms requires the installation of an application to access the programming and guided learning materials. Within the eT4L environment, the software is located in the Software Catalogue - (search for Lego). For tablet and BYODs, you will need to download the relevant Apps in the usual way. Once the application is installed, connection between Lego Mindstorms and the device is via Bluetooth® or a USB link so there are no connection hurdles to overcome.

Links to Future Focused Learning

Lego Mindstorms support several of the Future Learning Themes. With its sensors and on-board computational power, it enables the experiential classroom. Used in a group setting, they support collaboration and with many self-guided resources, they are also applicable in a guided or independent mode of learning in a problem based or design thinking classroom. A Mindstorm robot in action

Stories from Schools

There are many schools across New South Wales, Australia and the world that have embraced Lego Mindstorms to integrate coding, problem solving and computational thinking across the curriculum. Kylie Stanley from Forestville Public School has been working with Lego Mindstorms for a many years, with links to Science and Mathematics as well as the 21st century skills of communication and collaboration. Some schools even enter the First Robotics competition, that enables students to make connections beyond their school community.

Alternatives

There are several alternatives to Lego Mindstorms that whilst not providing the same volume of curriculum linked materials, still build students computational thinking and coding skills. One you might consider is Dash and Dot, a humanoid robot which also has some degree of Lego compatibility. In addition, Edison is a possible alternative that also offers Lego prototyping potential and can get close to Mindstorm capability. These too, have extensive curriculum linked activities to make classroom implementation easy.