2016-05-16 LEGO DOC

2016-05-16 LEGO DOC

The primary source of LEGO EV3 robot information is the website https://education.lego.com/en-us  where you probably want to go and look around at all the interesting stuff. The site is huge and it is easy to get lost among all the possibilities.

To help you focus, let me point out that you can buy a simple EV3 robot like the one I’m going to bring with me for about $380. Here is a link to the web page: http://education.lego.com/en-us/products/lego-mindstorms-education-ev3-core-set-/5003400

My recommendation (If you decide to begin a robot class.) is that you consider buying a “Curriculum Solution” package for about $2415. Here is a link to the web page:

http://education.lego.com/en-us/products/ev3-8-student-curriculum-solution/5005024

This package is for eight students (two students per robot) and it includes four robots, lesson plans and other support material. The cost for larger groups is about $1000 plus $350 per pair of students. When thinking about the cost, remember that these robots don’t wear out, so they will be good for years and years.

The range of activities is unlimited. You can start out with something simple. Then you can get more and more complicated forever. Big universities (Like Carnegie-Mellon) have LEGO robot programs. It is even possible to program the robot with other programming languages. The robot can be used to operate equipment or run lab experiments. There is no limit.

Everyone builds their own robot. The package you get just has parts. There are thousands of plans out there. Many on the internet. Just “Google” EV3. One of the fun things is to design your own machines. Look for EV3 on YouTube.

You can have classes, from simple to advanced. Or you could have a special after school program. Like a Science Club.

There are many very useful books, and tutorials, and on line classes for teachers, etc.

If this idea catches on I would like to be of as much help as I can. Since I am retired and this is a hobby, I don’t have to be paid. If you want me to come for a longer visit you would have to help me with my travel and living expenses. Maybe we could get some sort of grant for that.

LEGO Robotics Workshop Initiative

                LEGO Robotics Workshop Initiative

·         I have a long history of public service in STEM fields as tutor, mentor, science fair judge, even some building re-hab projects. Sometimes with others, but mostly alone. At the moment I’m actively looking for new projects.

·    
          My recent experience with the Kalani High School Robotics program has served to make me aware of the potential value of the LEGO Mindstorms robot system.

·          
      This system provides scores of interesting projects at an elementary level where NO TOOLS or written instructions are required. And is, none-the-less, capable of breathtakingly complex and sophisticated projects.

·         The computer programs that direct the autonomous behavior of the robots are pictorial not literal. All the programming can be done by clicking on little graphic icons.

 ·         I am planning a month long workshop program, using LEGO robots, to bring STEM learning activities to student groups that would otherwise be culturally or economically excluded.

·         This is NOT a program for most of the kids we know, who are already ahead of their parents when they are in grade school.

 ·       One of the underserved communities is girls, another that I am especially aware of is students in the Pacific Islands, in particular those in the “US Affiliated Countries under the Compact of Free Association” such as Guam, Samoa, the Mariana Islands, Palau, the Marshall Islands, Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap.

Video link: http://bit.ly/1IgYXnf

Teaching STEM using LEGO robotics

 Teaching STEM using LEGO robotics

• ·         I have a long history of public service in STEM fields as tutor, mentor, science fair judge, etc. Sometimes with others, but mostly alone. At the moment I’m excited about the potential educational value of the LEGO EV3 Mindstorms robot system.

• ·         This system provides scores of interesting projects at an elementary level where NO TOOLS or written instructions are required. And is, none-the-less, capable of breathtakingly complex and sophisticated projects.

• ·         The computer programs that direct the autonomous behavior of the robots are pictorial not literal. All the programming can be done by clicking on little graphic icons.
 

• ·         Using LEGO robots, it should be possible to bring STEM learning activities to student groups that would otherwise be culturally or economically excluded.
 

• ·         One of the underserved communities is girls, another that I am especially aware of is students in the Pacific Islands, in particular those in the “US Affiliated Countries under the Compact of Free Association” such as Guam, Samoa, the Mariana Islands, Palau, the Marshall Islands, Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap.

• ·         I am available to work with groups of any size (2 to 20) to implement a robot training program. It could be a formal class or after school activity.

William D Myers (Bill)

223 Paiko Drive

Honolulu HI 96821

808-294-2670

navigator.bill@gmail.com

nav.org

• Instructor, tutor, mentor
• Science, math, computer use and programming, robotics
• Web design and coding
• PhD in Nuclear Physics from UC Berkeley
• Senior Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (retired)
• For TV interview see:  goo.gl/ZMP7tf