LEGO Mindstorms EV3
The LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robotics kit will help you learn the basics of robotic design and programming using familiar, easy-to-use LEGO parts! The tutorials we are using will help you get started and give you some knowledge of how to use the included EV3 software and robotics pieces.
The Robotics Academy
The Robotics Academy is an interactive, self-paced program that is installed on your computer. Using the included videos and short quizzes (don't worry..they're not graded), you'll become a pro at using the EV3 software in no time. There are three main sections of the tutorial: Basics, Behaviors, Final Challenge.
THE BASICS
In this section you'll learn how to turn on the EV3 brick, how to start the programming software, and you'll get a preview of what's to come. Each section includes a helpful quiz at the bottom that is self-correcting. If your answer lights up blue then you were right! You don't need to answer the questions to continue, but they will help you check to make sure you understand all of the concepts. You can skip the lessons about batteries and updating firmware.
BEHAVIORS
The behaviors section is where you'll build your robot (using the included directions) and learn how to program the robot to follow specific tasks, such as moving forward or moving until it is close to an object. You'll use a variety of motors and sensors during this process. The last section of Behaviors focuses on some of the more advanced concepts in programming. If you make it this far in your first time, congrats! Make sure you're taking pictures of your robot and the programming you're doing along the way. Helpful Hint: Make sure to read each section carefully. There are videos showing you where to find the building instructions.