As excitement builds over the launch of our new elementary robotics product line, LEGO Education WeDo Robotics, our customer service center has been hard at work keeping up with calls from interested customers like you!
In hopes of getting the answers to you before the calls come in, we've developed a quick Q&A addressing the top inquiries we receive on a regular basis. If you don't find the answers you're searching for, feel free to contact us at 1-800-362-4308.
Is the new robotics program compatible with both Mac and PC? Yes. LEGO Education WeDo Robotics Software is compatible with Mac and PC. It has been tested on both and works in all scenarios. The software can also be installed and used on the Intel Classmate and is expected to be compatible with the OLPC XO by mid-year 2009!
What are the system requirements for the software? A Systems Requirements tab has been added to the LEGO Education WeDo Robotics Software product page on www.LEGOeducation.com. It lists the minimal requirements to properly run the icon-based software.
Are my LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT sensors and motors compatible with the new elementary product? No. The sensors and motor developed for the WeDo Robotics Construction Set are similar in design and function to the NXT family of robotic sensors and motors, but the two groups are not interchangeable. You will need the WeDo sensors and motor to complete WeDo robotics activities.
What products do I need to purchase so the complete LEGO Education WeDo Robotics program in part of my elementary classroom? You will need to order enough LEGO Education WeDo Robotics Construction Sets in a ration of 1 set for every 2 students. You will also need the LEGO Education WeDo Robotics Software and LEGO Education WeDo Robotics Activity Pack. Getting Started Packs including construction sets, software and the activity pack are available. Contact your local LEGO Education Consultant for details.
The 2008-2009 FIRST LEGO League season is underway and the first competition sightings are beginning! Here is an article that ran in today's edition of the Washington Post describing a recent competition.
If you see your team's name in print, send us the link and we'll gladly add it to our regular blog content! Or if you have video of your team at competition, we'd be happy to display that, too!
Starting the first week of November, Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy will begin offering their second series of "Learning ROBOTC" Webinars!
The Academy will host 5 weekly webinar training sessions for ROBOTC enthusiasts of all levels and platforms. The ROBOTC webinars are designed for anyone interested in learning more about ROBOTC, from the absolute beginner to the advanced programmer.
All webinars are free of charge and include a forum where participants can get questions answered before, during and after the session. Webinars will be recorded for those who cannot attend and the forums will be monitored daily to answer questions.
Registration is required. To learn more about the available sessions or to register, click here.
In just a few short weeks the new 2.0 version of NXT software will be available, and we'd like you input!
LEGO Education is looking for feedback from teachers that will be used to help develop an activity pack for the software. If you have experience with LEGO MINDSTORMS in the classroom and would like to tell us your thoughts, please follow the link below and complete our survey.
Some respondents will get a sneak peek at the new functionality in the 2.0 software!
Thanks to everyone who provides input!
LEGOengineering.com is happy to announce our new Community section. The Community section empowers LEGO educators from around the world to share lesson plans and activities and get feedback from other users. Users can also post questions, ideas, tips, problems and start discussions with the worldwide community. Users can view and share photos of LEGO creations from students.
Becoming a member is easy. Just click the Join Now link here or on the Community front page. Within seconds you will be able to upload content, ask questions, and make comments.
Check it out at http://www.legoengineering.com/
The LEGO Education WeDo robotics system was featured recently in Digital Directions, an online publication managed by Education Week. The article focused on the new set (debuting in January 09), the reaction from a test site in Texas, and the impact the pre-robotics concept will have within the education industry.
To read more, click here.