Thanks to the talent and time of ISOGAWA Yoshihito, LEGO users everywhere can access a new 200+ page building resource! Tora no Maki is the first of hopefully many books developed by Yoshihito illustrating how to build various mechanisms with LEGO Technic bricks. Over 300 building challenges are presented using more than 1700 images.
Topics covered in the down-loadable publication include: gears, bracing, pulleys, walking mechanisms, springs, differentials, and much more! The author is only asking for a $10 donation if you find his work useful.
For more information or to download the publication and make a donation, click here.
Thanks to the efforts of some very ingenius faculty members and students at the University of Nevada in Reno, the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT has taken to new heights... literally!
As part of the University's NevadaSat program, the NXT assisted in controling cameras that were launched into space via high-altitude balloons. The repeat missions have reached heights from 90,000 to 101,000 and higher!
For more details on how the NXT is utilized in space, click here.
Teachers interested in bringing motivational hands-on activities into their science, technology, engineering, and math classrooms have a new tool at their disposal - the 2008 LEGO Education catalog.
Among new products featured in the catalog are Robot C Software designed by the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy that offers an alternative programming environment for LEGO robots; Robot C Curriculum, providing video-based instruction to support the programming of robotic behaviors or both the RCX and NXT; a Vernier Sensor Adapter for NXT, increasing the flexibility of your LEGO MINDSTORMS Education sets and software; and a variety of wheels, connector pegs, and axles available through the Parts section.
In addition, several new LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT resources are featured including books, robotics texts, and a robotics competition workbook. These publications are written by educators and robotics enthusiasts who have explored the possibilities of the MINDSTORMS NXT set and developed teaching resources to engage and challenge students.
With color-coded sections for each topic - Robotics, Simple Machines, Energy, Structures, Aerospace, Life Science, Math, Early Learning, Bulk Sets, Storage, Tools/Resources/Parts - the catalog is organized in a way that makes it easy to find the right products for any lesson or activity.
A map listing contact information for LEGO Education consultants throughout the U.S. is included for customers who want assistance choosing the right products for their educational experience. Visit www.LEGOeducation.com to request a free catalog or to order online.
Congratulations to Intermediate School 98 Herman Ridder's FIRST LEGO League Team for being selected as an official participant in the FLL Asian Open Championship! The event will be held April 27-29 in Tokyo, Japan!
The IS 98 team is one of two FLL teams from the United States to be invited to the Championship. The students competed at the international Nano Robotics Competition in Atlanta, Georgia, after winning the NYC FLL Championships last January.
In Atlanta, IS 98 was the only U.S. inner city LEGO robotics team among the 90+ teams from the U.S. and around the world. The team feels extremely honored to be invited to participate in the FLL Asian Open Championship and will do their best to represent New York City and the United States in the event!
For more information about FIRST LEGO League, visit www.firstLEGOleague.org