Need a robotics kit suggestion for a 10 year old

[Allison K]

I have a significant collection of both EV3/NXT LEGO Mindstorms systems and VEX IQ systems and utilize in after school programs, competition teams, and summer day camp.

While you can't go wrong with either, I generally recommend VEX IQ. The kit includes a controller (and default teleop code) which allows even brand new users to build a functioning machine right out of the box. Kids get hooked quickly with minimal frustration which sets them up for a good experience. The base kit IQ kit is less expensive ($300 for an IQ super kit vs. $350 for an EV3 core set) so you get a good value from your initial investment. The base IQ kit also has more parts (4 motors vs. 3, 7 sensors vs. 5, and more structural parts), and I prefer the IQ system of add-on kits which offer reasonably priced (generally less than $25) opportunities for expansion (tank treads, advanced gears, omni wheels, etc.). I also like that IQ has multiple programming options, both graphical and text based (some of which are free).

Edit to add: EV3 is a reasonable option for a kid that already has a huge collection of LEGO technic and is just looking to enhance functionality of the current collection.

[Sperkowsky]

You could get some cool stuff from Makeblock. The mBot comes to mind. Check out my review of it here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNtxA5XxFpE

[Foster]

I like the VEX IQ product also over the Lego parts (unless you are sitting on a ton of Lego parts, then go that way).

RobotC is very easy to learn, I've taught dozens of middle school roboteers.

There is a graphical programming package called Modkit that looks like Scratch. Lots of middle school roboteers already know Scratch.

There is some amazing code capabilities with the IQ system since all the motors come with inbuilt speed controls and speed measuring devices.

The add on parts choice is pretty expansive. They come in a number of colors so you can build color coordinated robots. It's important that your robot creation is always fashion forward!

The big Hexbug parts are IQ compatible. You can do some very cool mashups with the Hexbug parts.

As an aside, getting the 4-1 Hexbug kit may also be a choice. You can see in the picture you can mash the 4 bugs into "Left Shark" But it would let her build robots that work and she can drive around. If she's then into more, get the IQ Superkit and build away.

VEXIQ competitions are all over the place and there are more starting up every year. In the Philly area there were about nine of them this year.

All of the middle schools and high schools in Delaware are switching over / starting with IQ. It's a bigger bang for the buck for them, the teachers that I've talked to really like them.

Pro tips: Buy a small flat blade screwdriver to help pry apart some of the smaller plates.

Watch the tutorials on how to build, they give you lots of great hints. The initial claw / loader robot is easy to build.

Get a small collection of 8/32 bolts in some small lengths with matching nuts. Sometimes you come up with a design that the locking pins can't keep together. (Normally from bad design like trying to keep a long arm on the robot with a single pin). At age 10-11 you can do a quick "bolt it together" to make it work and test it out cycle. Then you can say "Now Uncle JVN would say 'Time to iterate the design to make it better'" and figure out how to ditch the bolt.

Buy some of the Plano small parts boxes (Harbor Freight has them for $3 when you use your %20 coupon) and sort the small parts into them. The Superkit comes with nice dividers that work well with the bigger parts, but being able to pick up a 1x1 connector without digging through a pile of parts is nice. Plus you can boost her "keep things organized" skill set that will make her super popular on FRC teams.

Good luck and have fun!

[Peter Matteson]

Thanks for the recommendations.

I was leaning to the Vex IQ for many of the reasons mentioned.
The Lego stuff was nice for going into Lego league, but I like what can be done with The IQ.

MakeBlock was the one that we found but really knew nothing about, and I wanted to see what experience people had. The arduino based control looks interesting but I think the Vex IQ might be easier to start on with the basic control code and languages available.

After trying to work with the Meccano that my parents bought for my niece at Christmas and sending it back because it would only work for about 30 seconds before saying low battery power with new batteries I was a little gun shy to go to anything without asking for opinions here.

Thanks for the help everyone.

[Rich Kressly]

Hi Peter,

You have plenty of info here already, I just wanted to add that IQ has a complete, free curriculum as well. So if you want simple ways to teach your niece gear ratio with worksheets and kits parts, want quick lessons on simple machines, if you want to show a youngster what the beginnings of an engineering notebook is like with use of the "Idea Book Pages" ... it's all completely free, downloadable, printable, and there are some embedded videos as well. www.vexiq.com/curriculum

Best wishes!