Shelly in IL Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 Is this something my 12 year old engineering minded kid needs? What do they do, exactly? Do they interact with the Lego pieces we already have? What kits are good to start with? Does anyone have any for sale? Thanks for the info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blessed3x Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 :lurk5: Interested as well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparrow Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 :lurk5: We've been talking about this at our house, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in FL Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 My son, who spends hours with his Legos, received his mindstorms set when he was 9. Although he dabbled with it here and there, it hasn't been until the last few weeks when we started a FLL team, that I am seeing any real educational value. My advice - if he isn't asking for it - only buy it if you intend to formally incorporate it in your homeschool or through a FLL team. If you do buy a set - there are a series of books you may be able to get at the library or through amazon that will walk your child step by step to build and program various robots. They are published by No Starch Press but have different authors. Here's one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zookeeper Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 My ds wanted one SO badly at about age 10 that he spent his own money to get it. He's used it A LOT and at 16, still makes stuff with it. He's talked of becoming a Lego designer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenjenn Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 You might check and see if there is a Lego FIRST League available near you. Some leagues have corporate sponsors that provide all the Mindstorms equipment to the league, giving children the opportunity to learn about programming and robotics without having to invest in the products up front. We are enrolling for the first time this year. $60 for the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparrow Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 Thanks for the links, everyone. There was a number listed for FLL at our library, but when I tried to call, there was no answer. I'll have to try again sometime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 OK, my 11 yo has had one for about 3 years. My guy builds cars, robot arms, games, clocks, moon rovers with grab and life function (I'm typing as he is speaking), spiders and other animals and he gives them all motion parts through the NXT. He has all these gears (the clock was flipping amazing). It was a tabletop clock with a pendulum and told real time. The one time it broke it was old and dust had collected under a piece of tape that holds the motherboard to the daughterboard. It comes lose and you loose connection to the screen but the computer runs. We called Lego and they sent out a brand new NXT with a box to send is back-all free of charge. Here's a little RC car he made Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassoonaroo Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 Yes, it's a good investment. We've had ours for years and we go through phases with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelly in IL Posted August 14, 2011 Author Share Posted August 14, 2011 First, I see there is a FLL about 30 minutes from us. I emailed and am waiting to hear back. For those of you who have them - specifically what set would be a good starter? My son will be 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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