Re: My daughter is very interested in robotics and I have a question
 

Only supports three motors--yes, in theory. The facts: 1) that third port could be connected to a light; 2) you can hook up more than one motor to a port, just be prepared to have both run the same.

I'll have to wait for a third motor to be included in the normal Mindstorms kit. Ouch.

Also, there are numerous books about stuff to do with Mindstorms; I have one on robotic sumo wrestling....

Re: My daughter is very interested in robotics and I have a question
 

When I was her age, I played around with the computer a lot. I took my dad's tools and played around in the shed, we had tons of small ongoing projects. We never had the money to get those sorts of things, so we made do with wood, and wheels.

The main thing is to make sure she STAYs interested in Robotics as she ages.

Re: My daughter is very interested in robotics and I have a question
 

I've been leading robotics at our school, Catlin Gabel, for the last six years. What I've found is there's a ideal time to introduce LEGO robotics and FLL, especially for girls 8-12.

Introduce it too early and the kids aren't developmentally ready. You end up doing a lot of the work and the kids don't have all that much fun. They will then think they've "been there and done that" and may not come back to it when they are ready. Introduce it too late, and the social stuff has already set in and engineering isn't cool anymore.

Every child is different. In my opinion, the ideal time for LEGO robotics for girls is around 5th grade. Some fourth graders might be fine but younger than that you run the risk of peaking too soon. Girls in the 4th-5th grade can do a lot of programming themselves and can reason out the mechanical stuff. By all means get involved with FIRST Lego League...it's a great program. Keep the teams small, though, with younger kids.

It's not too soon for your daughter to get into building things with Lego's, now. Taking things apart is also a nice idea.

Dale Yocum
www.catlin.edu/robotics

Re: My daughter is very interested in robotics and I have a question
 

What part of Texas do you live in? I am the FIRST Regional Director for Texas and there are several robotics programs in Texas. Let me know where you are at and I'll see what is in your area.

Re: My daughter is very interested in robotics and I have a question
 

I live in Fort Worth Texas, Dallas is the small suburb to our east. Any information you have would be great. You can also contact me by email at tom.a.cepak@lmco.com.

Thanks,

Tom

Re: My daughter is very interested in robotics and I have a question
 

Re: My daughter is very interested in robotics and I have a question
 

I started with generic legos and just built towns or other 'spacecraft' or things out of them. I graduated into the train set we got for Christmas one year when I was about 9. The mindstorm kit didn't come out until I was in high school, and I never really got into it. Maybe it was my brother hogging the RCX, but more likely was competing social interests my freshman year of high school.

I know I had plenty of fun with the tons of legos I had, without the RCX. I made things move, articulated vehicles, things that were designed to separate into a smaller exploratory vehicle...without the RCX.

Cheers
Wetzel

Re: My daughter is very interested in robotics and I have a question
 

If your daughter is ready to handle building as well as programming....Mindstorm will be a good start.....work on simple projects....but if you think she may get frustrated...then Knex or Capsela (if they still sell it) also ...Discovery Toys had a kit....like Lego's......but the gears were larger in size - I can't remember what it was called...but she can make ferris wheels, etc.....it is just a start to maintain as well as nurturing her interests.

Re: My daughter is very interested in robotics and I have a question
 

At the age of 7 years is the perfect time to have a young person turned onto engineering and science. This country of course does not have enough technologists or scientists and its really hurting us! Anywho, the Lego Mindstorm Kit would be a perfect start for her. Yes it takes time to program and of course understand the settings and such but she will get use to it. It is something that she will grow into.

I would predict that after she has pretty much mastered the programming of the Lego Mindstorms, she can easily be a valuable asset to a FIRST Lego League Team.

There is also other robotics projects out there that are geared more torwards the programming spectrum. The Trinity Fire Fighting Competition is a key example. The masters of programming and robotics compete on a higher level.

Of course, after FIRST Lego League, she can move to the High School Level. A lot of teams invite younger members to join. The experience from that may influence them to stay or pursue other engineering options

I hope this information is helpful. If you need more information on Lego Mindstorms, don't be shy to ask. I was a coach with FLL, volunteer, and now a Judge at one of the State Competitions!

Re: My daughter is very interested in robotics and I have a question
 

wow...... this thread was started ages ago...... whos keeping it alive? *looks around* is it YOU???