Through six lesson/activity sets, students learn about the functioning of sensors, both human and robotic

Students learn about the similarities between the human brain and its engineering counterpart, the computer. Since students work with computers routinely, this comparison strengthens their understanding of both how the brain works and...

Students learn about human reflexes, how our bodies react to stimuli and how some body reactions and movements are controlled automatically, without thinking consciously about the movement or responses. In the associated activity,...

This lesson highlights the similarities between human sensors and their engineering counterparts. Taking this approach enables students to view the human body as a system, that is, from the perspective of an engineer. Humans have...

Students are introduced to the Robotics Peripheral Vision Grand Challenge question. They are asked to write journal responses to the question and brainstorm what information they require to answer the question. Their ideas are shared...

Learners look at human senses and their electronic imitators, with special focus on the skin and touch sensors. They have a chance to handle and get familiar with the LEGO touch sensor, including programming LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robots to...

Students are introduced to the concept of projectile motion, of which they are often familiar from life experiences,such as playing sports such as basketball or baseball, even though they may not understand the physics involved. Students...

An advanced level description of the nature of Brownian motion. Brownian motion, a model formulated to predict matters involving uncertain elements, is related to medical imaging, fractals, robotics, aerosol particles, and stock market...

A place to share and see others' ideas for improving a lego robotics project, light guitar.

Students act as civil engineers developing safe railways as a way to strengthen their understanding of parallel and intersecting lines. Using pieces of yarn to visually represent line segments, students lay down "train tracks" on a...

In this lesson, students learn about the roles of the programmer and the robot, and how the two need to work together in order to accomplish their goal. Students also understand logic behind the robot's actions, and break a big plan down...

The Mission to Mars curricular unit introduces students to Mars-the Red Planet. Students discover why scientists are so interested in studying this mysterious planet. Many interesting facts about Mars are revealed, and the history of...

Article introduces readers to the world's first bionic man, a robot named Rex with approximately 60% - 70% of the functionality of a real human. Includes two brief videos.

In this science fair project, use the "frightened grasshopper" solar-powered toy to explore how solar energy is converted into kinetic energy. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an abstract,...

This site describes how to use the RoboLab software that is used with the Lego Mindstorms system. The Mindstorms product is used to introduce robotics to beginners.

This site describes how to program and use PIC controllers, which are often used in the robotics field.

Students learn about how sound sensors work, reinforcing their similarities to the human sense of hearing. This instructional activity and its associated activity enable students to appreciate how robots can take sensor input and use it...

Young scholars gain experience with the software/system design process, closely related to the engineering design process, to solve a problem. First, they learn about the Mars Curiosity rover and its mission, including the difficulties...

A concise description of the development, function and history of Canada's most famous robotic and technological achievement.

Using a few blindfolds and a simple taped floor maze exercise, students come to understand that computers rely completely upon instructions given in programs and thus programs must be comprehensive and thorough. Then students learn to...

A mini-activity, which uses LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT intelligent bricks and light sensors gives students a chance to investigate how light sensors function in preparation for the associated activity involving the light sensors and taskbots.

Students learn about the Foucault pendulum, an engineering tool used to demonstrate and measure the Earth's rotation. Student groups then create small experimental versions, each comprised of a pendulum and a video camera mounted on a...

Students quantify the percent of light reflected from solutions containing varying concentrations of red dye using LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT bricks and light sensors. They begin by analyzing a set of standard solutions with known...

Students learn how rotational sensors measure distance, how mathematics can be used for real-world purposes, and about potential sources of error due to gearing when using rotation sensor readings for distance calculations.