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Lego Mindstorm - 8 lesson program

 

Lesson 1: Introduction to Lego Mindstorms

Outcomes:

NSW: SC4-WS-01, SC4-WS-02, SC4-WS-07, SC4-WS-08, SC4-OTU-01, TE4-SDP-01, TE4-PPM-01, TE4-DES-01, TE4-DIG-01

Aus: ACTDIP028, ACTDIP031, ACTDIP032, ACSSU115, ACSSU116, ACSIS125, ACSIS126, ACSIS141

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​Objective: Students will learn the components of the Lego Mindstorms kit and build a simple robot.

  1. Introduction (10 minutes)

  • Explain the purpose of the program. Show an assembled Mindstorms robot and highlight its capabilities.

  • Discuss the components: intelligent brick, motors, sensors, and software.
     

  2. Main Activity (25 minutes)

  • Guide students to explore their kits and identify components.

  • Provide step-by-step instructions to build a basic robot chassis.

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  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)

  • Summarise what was learned and encourage students to think about how robots are used in the real world.

 

Lesson 2: Programming Basics

Outcomes:

NSW: SC4-WS-01, SC4-WS-02, SC4-WS-07, SC4-WS-08, SC4-OTU-01, TE4-SDP-01, TE4-PPM-01, TE4-DES-01, TE4-DIG-01

Aus: ACTDIP028, ACTDIP031, ACTDIP032, ACSSU115, ACSSU116, ACSIS125, ACSIS126, ACSIS141

​

Objective: Students will write and execute a simple program to control their robot’s movement.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Recap components from Lesson 1. Introduce the Mindstorms programming interface.

 

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Demonstrate how to create a simple program to move the robot forward and backward.

  • Have students replicate the program and test it on their robots.

 

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)

  • Discuss challenges faced and how programming affects robot functionality.

 

Lesson 3: Sensor Integration

Outcomes:

NSW: SC4-WS-01, SC4-WS-02, SC4-WS-07, SC4-WS-08, SC4-OTU-01, TE4-SDP-01, TE4-PPM-01, TE4-DES-01, TE4-DIG-01

Aus: ACTDIP028, ACTDIP031, ACTDIP032, ACSSU115, ACSSU116, ACSIS125, ACSIS126, ACSIS141

​

Objective: Students will integrate a touch sensor and program the robot to respond to it.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Introduce the touch sensor and explain its function.

 

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Demonstrate how to connect the touch sensor and write a program that moves the robot when the sensor is pressed.

  • Students build and test their programs.

 

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)

  • Reflect on the importance of sensors in robotics.

 

Lesson 4: Advanced Programming Concepts

Outcomes:

NSW: SC4-WS-01, SC4-WS-02, SC4-WS-07, SC4-WS-08, SC4-OTU-01, TE4-SDP-01, TE4-PPM-01, TE4-DES-01, TE4-DIG-01

Aus: ACTDIP028, ACTDIP031, ACTDIP032, ACSSU115, ACSSU116, ACSIS125, ACSIS126, ACSIS141

​

Objective: Students will use loops and conditional statements in their programs.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Briefly explain loops and conditional statements in programming.
     

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Demonstrate a program that uses a loop to make the robot move in a square pattern.

  • Guide students in creating and testing their own programs.

 

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)

  • Share and discuss different solutions to the task.
     

Lesson 5: Using the Ultrasonic Sensor

Outcomes:

NSW: SC4-WS-01, SC4-WS-02, SC4-WS-07, SC4-WS-08, SC4-OTU-01, TE4-SDP-01, TE4-PPM-01, TE4-DES-01, TE4-DIG-01

Aus: ACTDIP028, ACTDIP031, ACTDIP032, ACSSU115, ACSSU116, ACSIS125, ACSIS126, ACSIS141

​

Objective: Students will program the robot to detect and respond to obstacles using the ultrasonic sensor.

 1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Introduce the ultrasonic sensor and its applications in robotics.

 

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Demonstrate a program where the robot stops or changes direction upon detecting an obstacle.

  • Students create, test, and refine their own programs.

 

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)​

  • Discuss real-world applications of distance sensing.

 

Lesson 6: Creative Problem-Solving

Outcomes:

NSW: SC4-WS-01, SC4-WS-02, SC4-WS-07, SC4-WS-08, SC4-OTU-01, TE4-SDP-01, TE4-PPM-01, TE4-DES-01, TE4-DIG-01

Aus: ACTDIP028, ACTDIP031, ACTDIP032, ACSSU115, ACSSU116, ACSIS125, ACSIS126, ACSIS141

​

Objective: Students will design and program a robot to complete a maze.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Present a simple maze and explain the challenge.
     

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Students work in pairs to program their robots to navigate the maze using sensors and programming logic.

  • Provide support and troubleshoot as needed.
     

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)​

  • Reflect on strategies and improvements for efficiency.

 

Lesson 7: Data Logging and Analysis

Outcomes:

NSW: SC4-WS-01, SC4-WS-02, SC4-WS-07, SC4-WS-08, SC4-OTU-01, TE4-SDP-01, TE4-PPM-01, TE4-DES-01, TE4-DIG-01

Aus: ACTDIP028, ACTDIP031, ACTDIP032, ACSSU115, ACSSU116, ACSIS125, ACSIS126, ACSIS141

​

Objective: Students will use the Mindstorms data-logging feature to record and analyze sensor data.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Explain how robots collect and use data from sensors.
     

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Demonstrate how to use the data-logging tool to record sensor readings.

  • Students collect and analyze data from a sensor-based activity, such as detecting distances.
     

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)​

  • Discuss how data informs decision-making in robotics.

 

Lesson 8: Final Project and Presentation

Outcomes:

NSW: SC4-WS-01, SC4-WS-02, SC4-WS-07, SC4-WS-08, SC4-OTU-01, TE4-SDP-01, TE4-PPM-01, TE4-DES-01, TE4-DIG-01

Aus: ACTDIP028, ACTDIP031, ACTDIP032, ACSSU115, ACSSU116, ACSIS125, ACSIS126, ACSIS141

​

Objective: Students will design, program, and present a robot that solves a real-world problem.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Outline the task: students must create a robot that solves a chosen problem (e.g., sorting objects, navigating a course).
     

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Students work in groups to design, build, and program their robots.

  • Encourage creativity and provide guidance.
     

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)​

  • Groups present their robots and explain their design and programming choices.

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