LEGO Education

You asked, we answered

What is the price of the MINDSTORMS Education NXT going to be?

The pricing for MINDSTORMS Education NXT will be announced on February 1.

Will sets similar to the current team challenge sets be available for the NXT system?

Yes.  The MINDSTORMS Education NXT will have a base set, and a resource sets (similar to the Technology Resource Set) will be available as well.

Will the educational version of the NXT system have data logging and investigating capabilities like the current RCX and ROBOLAB?

Not right away.  We understand that the data logging capabilities are extremely valuable in the classroom, however.  LEGO Education is developing new, independent software in a different programming environment (to be launched in 2007).  This software will be heavily supported by curriculum activities.

How many power outlets does the new NXT brick have? What sensors can it use? Does it have any new sensors?

The new NXT brick has three output ports that can be connected to the servo motors. It also has four input ports that can gather information from any of the four types of sensors – light, touch, sound, and ultrasonic. It also has a built-in rotation sensor.

Getting Started with NXT

Thinking of bringing LEGO MINDSTORMS Education NXT to your classroom? It’s easy to get started. Only three components are needed: Hardware The MINDSTORMS Education NXT Base Set serves as the center point of the NXT robotics system. It contains the NXT intelligent brick, four different sensors (five sensors total - two touch sensors are included), three motors, and hundreds of TECHNIC building elements. Unique to the MINDSTORMS Education NXT set are a rechargeable battery system, an extra touch sensor, lamp bricks, and three converter cables so existing LEGO robotics sensors and motors can be used with the NXT brick. One set per two students is recommended. Software The new Education NXT software is highly intuitive and easy for students to master. Like its predecessor ROBOLAB™, the NXT software is icon-based, so students drag and drop icons into a line to create a program. The MINDSTORMS Education NXT software includes Robot Educator, a series of interactive tutorials that help teachers and students get started. The software will be available as both a single copy or a site license for an entire school. Curriculum New curriculum is coming! Developed by the Robotics Academy at Carnegie Mellon University, the MINDSTORMS Education NXT curriculum features themed projects that apply math, science, and technology concepts via robotics. The curriculum will be CD-based. MINDSTORMS Education NXT will begin shipping to schools in August 2006. Check back frequently for information about pre-buying sets this spring!

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News Release: January 6, 2006

LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Education NXT: The Next Generation of Educational Robotics

As the robotics field continues to expand and innovate worldwide, LEGO Education is keeping pace with the introduction of LEGO MINDSTORMS Education NXT, the next generation of LEGO Education robotics for schools.

First launched in 1998, the original LEGO MINDSTORMS for Schools and ROBOLAB™ each year help countless students grasp science, technology, engineering, and math concepts with hands-on, naturally motivating building sets, programming software, and curriculum. Building upon that success, the new MINDSTORMS Education NXT brings together the well-established relevance of LEGO Education robotics and the latest technologies to provide an unprecedented learning opportunity for students ages 8 and up.

With a new intelligent brick, expanded sensor capabilities, updated programming software, and new curriculum and activities, MINDSTORMS Education NXT enables students to complete assigned challenges with more options than ever before – they’ll build stronger and smarter robots that more closely mimic real-world machines.

Features of the new system include:

• New 32-bit NXT intelligent brick complete with a rechargeable battery system
• Sturdy LEGO TECHNIC building system with more than 400 elements
• New ultrasonic and sound sensors, plus improved light and touch sensors
• Three interactive servo motors with built-in rotation sensors
• Bluetooth® technology allowing robots to communicate with computers, cell phones, and PDAs
• New, highly intuitive programming software with increased functionality that, like ROBOLAB, is powered by LabVIEW™ from National Instruments
• Curriculum, activities, and resources developed at Carnegie Mellon University

LEGO Education continues to offer and support the original LEGO MINDSTORMS for Schools, ROBOLAB, and related curriculum. With the introduction of the new MINDSTORMS Education NXT, a continuum was created giving educators more robotics choices than ever. Visit our Web site regularly for more information about using the two systems together in a classroom and/or transitioning to the new system.

For beginners and experienced LEGO Education robotics users alike, LEGO MINDSTORMS Education NXT is the next step in preparing future generations of engineers, scientists, and lifelong learners!

LEGO MINDSTORMS Education NXT will be available in August 2006. For more information, visit www.LEGOeducation.us or contact the LEGO Education representative in your area.  For press inquiries, please contact Abby Fern at LEGO Education: afern@LEGOeducation.us or 1-800-362-4308.

Printable version of this news release (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to know more about the MINDSTORMS NXT for Education?  There's lots more information on our Frequently Asked Questions page.