Design Engineering Projects – Introduction
Design Engineering Projects – Introduction
Introduction
LEGO® Education is pleased to bring you Design Engineering Projects; innovative
materials that allow students to design, build, and program robots to solve specific
problems.
Who Is It For?
Using the Design Engineering Projects, educators can immerse their students in physical
science, technology, and mathematics concepts. Students can apply those concepts
in creative problem-solving projects supported by digital documentation tools integrated
with a software programming environment. Educators can also emphasise technical
writing as well as oral and written communication skills and teamwork. No prior knowledge
of LEGO building, MINDSTORMS® programming concepts, or data logging is required
before using this material.
What Is It For?
As they work on Design Engineering Projects, students are the engineers. Each student
is a member of a small team: students brainstorm ideas for solving a design challenge,
and then build, program, and test their model to evaluate how well it worked. As they
are learning and having fun, students are applying science, technology, and mathematics
skills and developing technical language and other communication skills working with
their team.
The LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3 Design Engineering Projects are designed
for use with the 45544 LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3 Core Set and LEGO
MINDSTORMS Education EV3 Software.
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Introduction
Each student project includes pages related to the engineering process as follows: Design Engineering Projects Overview Introduction
• Test and Analyse Safety and Security Up an Incline With Communication That Sorts Colours Sensors and Sensing
• Communicate Transportation
Building Ideas and Key Concepts projects provide information and “tools-to-think-
with” as students work on their projects.
Teacher notes are part of each design project. Teacher notes include Objectives,
Materials Needed, Vocabulary, and other practical suggestions. Also included is
an Example Solution with a robot video, step-by-step building instructions, and
a downloadable program or graph data.
See the “Suggested Lesson Planning Routes” later in this guide for information on LEGO, the LEGO logo and MINDSTORMS are trademarks of the/sont des marques de commerce de/son marcas registradas
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18
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Introduction
• Objectives
• Vocabulary
• Materials Needed
• Prerequisites
• Classroom Tips
• Extensions Student page
In addition, there are comments, suggestions, and links to other useful materials
throughout the project teacher notes.
An Example Solution for the design brief is also included. Each Example Solution has
these pages:
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Introduction
Then select Design Engineering Projects from the EV3 software menu.
1. Open the Make It Move With Wheels project. Read the design brief.
2. Read the Brainstorm page. Click on one of the Building Ideas links on the page
to open the project and see the building steps. Notice that these are ideas to
help the student brainstorm. They are not complete solutions.
3. Click to open the Measuring Distance project. Build the model suggested and
download the program to experiment with moving the wheel and changing the
distance moved based on circumference.
4. Now skim through the rest of the Make It Move With Wheels project to become
familiar with the questions and supporting pages.
5. An example solution is shown in the Teacher Notes. Building instructions and
a program are included. You can build the example solution using the step-by-
step instructions. Then download and run the program to see how far the model
moves. You can also watch the video of the model.
6. C
hoose a Lesson Planning Route that suits your needs. See “Suggested Lesson
Planning Routes” later in this introduction.
7. Ensure that each student’s computer has a student version of LEGO MINDSTORMS
Education EV3 Design Engineering Projects installed. Refer to the readme.txt file
for installation instructions. You can see which version is installed in the top bar of
the software.
8. Ensure that each EV3 Brick has the latest firmware and is fully charged. Firmware Update
9. It is very important for students to understand the relevance of the elements in
the brick set. Run through the naming and basic functionality of the key hardware
components and establish a set of brick management rules.
The User Guide is your source for everything relating to the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3
hardware.
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Introduction
Projects
The time taken to complete each of the projects depends on a number of factors,
including the level of complexity, the age of the student, and the student’s experience
with LEGO® MINDSTORMS® and the concepts covered in the relevant project.
There are three categories, with five projects in each category. The categories are
designed to progress from easier to harder. Open-ended design is encouraged.
There is no one example that can be timed. However, the following estimates
provide a range of time that would be needed for an average student to complete
the building and programming of a project in each of the following categories:
If you do not have double-block class time, students can use the digital tools to
document their work and then pick up where they left off during the next class
period. Documenting the process may encourage students to share their work.
You may, for example, have each student group present and discuss their projects
among a larger group or the whole class. That way, the variety of ideas and solutions
can be seen and evaluated.
One of the important lessons for Design Engineering is that there is no one perfect
solution: there are benefits and drawbacks to any design. More creative solutions
may emerge as students consider other design ideas and share their work. You can
also modify the design brief so the students have less - or more - demanding criteria
for completing the project satisfactorily.
See “Suggested Lesson Planning Routes” in this guide for three units of study:
engineering, applied mathematics, and science.
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Introduction
How Do I Use Robot Educator Tutorials with the Design Engineering Projects?
EV3 software includes forty-eight Robot Educator tutorials. Your students do not need
to do all of these tutorials before beginning with the Design Engineering Projects.
Some teachers like to have the students work through a few tutorials before
beginning the Design Engineering Projects. Others prefer to have students learn
about the software and hardware materials as they design their own robots.
Either method can be successful.
Links to useful Robot Educator tutorials are included on the pages of the Design
Engineering Projects. You may wish to highlight the Robot Educator menus so that
students are familiar with the overall structure and content of the tutorials and how
to find information.
If you prefer to start students in the tutorials before beginning the Design Engineering Basics of Robotics Introduction
Projects, see the Robot Educator – Introduction Lesson-Planning Routes. For most Please see next page.
Basics of Robotics
Key Stage 3 students beginning a robotics course, the Basics of Robotics route is Quick Start
Videos
Basics Beyond Basics Hardware Data Logging Tools
a good start. Students completing this route will be familiar with the main EV3 building User Guide
Configuring
Blocks
Multitasking Brick Sound Oscilloscope Sound Editor
Programming Remote
Curved Move Switch Brick Display Image Editor
Overview Data Logging
Brick
Data Logging Tank Move Multiple Switch Brick Buttons
Data Logging
Dataset
Content Editor Stop at Line Random Medium Motor
Calculation
Colour Sensor
Mathematics – Basic
– Light
Compare
Variables
Colour Sensor
– Calibrate
Messaging
Logic
Mathematics –
Advanced
Arrays
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de LEGO Group. ©2013 The LEGO Group. 062615.
Introduction
Basics of Robotics
Quick Start
Basics Beyond Basics Hardware Data Logging Tools
Videos
Configuring
User Guide Multitasking Brick Sound Oscilloscope Sound Editor
Blocks
Live
Programming Straight Move Loop Brick Status Light My Blocks
Data Logging
Programming Remote
Curved Move Switch Brick Display Image Editor
Overview Data Logging
Brick
Data Logging Tank Move Multiple Switch Brick Buttons
Data Logging
Dataset
Content Editor Stop at Line Random Medium Motor
Calculation
Colour Sensor
Mathematics – Basic
– Light
Compare
Variables
Colour Sensor
– Calibrate
Messaging
Logic
Mathematics –
Advanced
Arrays
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de LEGO Group. ©2013 The LEGO Group. 062615.
Introduction
Content Editor
Customised Tutorials
The integrated Content Editor gives you the ability to customise the project
files supplied with the Design Engineering Projects to create your own set of
differentiated lessons. Here are a few ways to customise the projects:
• Rephrase the text to better match the reading ability of your students;
• Add images that are more relevant to your students;
• Adjust the design brief criteria to increase or decrease the level of difficulty;
• Change the design brief to widen or narrow the scope of possible solutions;
• Make your own design briefs;
• Add your own rubrics or other assessment tools.
To ensure that you do not overwrite the files supplied in Design Engineering Projects,
any changes you make will be saved as a new project. All the files included with
the original project will also be included in the new project file, which you are then
free to share with your students (for example, on a network shared drive).
For more information on the Content Editor, watch the Content Editor Quick Start videos.
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Introduction
context. These lessons assume a 90-minute class period. Adjust the time for discussion, Please see
Introduction pageEngineering
to Design 11.
building and programming, group presentations, and feedback as your class requires. Robots
In Action
Make
It Move
Make
It Smarter
Make
a System
Key
Concepts
Lesson 1. What Is a Robot and What Do They Do? Medical With Wheels With a Sensor That Moves a Ball Measuring Distance
a. In the Robots In Action category, real robots from seven industries are represented
Personal And Display Speed And Faster That Picks and Places Measuring Speed
in videos. Watch one or more of the clips in small groups or as a class. Safety and Security Up an Incline With Communication That Sorts Colours Sensors and Sensing
b. Discuss the questions included in the video projects and make conclusions about Space In a Pattern And Healthier That Communicates
Systems
and Subsystems
where robots are found now and may be found in the future. Transportation
c. Hand out the building sets for each team. Challenge students to use the Robot
Educator tutorials to control a motor, EV3 Brick Display, and EV3 Brick Status
Lights. By the end of the lesson, students should know how to build with a motor,
how to create and download a program, and how to run it on the EV3 Brick.
c. During the students’ Brainstorming process, try the Key Concepts Measuring
Distance project. You may wish to work with the building and programming tools
as a class or have students work with the tools on their own. Measuring Distance
uses a motorised wheel and a program with the EV3 Brick to convert motor
rotations to distance in centimetres.
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Introduction
For additional lessons, refer to the other projects available in Make It Move, Make It
Smarter, and Make a System. You may wish to let the students choose what interests
them or create their own design challenge.
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Introduction
Medical With Wheels With a Sensor That Moves a Ball Measuring Distance
Personal And Display Speed And Faster That Picks and Places Measuring Speed
Safety and Security Up an Incline With Communication That Sorts Colours Sensors and Sensing
Systems
Space In a Pattern And Healthier That Communicates
and Subsystems
Transportation
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Introduction
tasks and behaviours. These lessons assume a 90-minute class period. Adjust the Please see
Engineering andpage
Applied14.
Mathematics
time for discussion, building and programming, group presentations, and feedback Robots
In Action
Make
It Move
Make
It Smarter
Make
a System
Key
Concepts
Medical With Wheels With a Sensor That Moves a Ball Measuring Distance
a. In the Robots In Action category, real robots from seven industries are represented Safety and Security Up an Incline With Communication That Sorts Colours Sensors and Sensing
in videos. Watch one or more of the clips in small groups or as a class. Space In a Pattern And Healthier That Communicates
Systems
and Subsystems
b. Discuss the questions included in the video projects and make conclusions about Transportation
where robots are found now and may be found in the future.
c. Hand out the building sets for each team. Challenge students to use the Robot
Educator tutorials to control a motor, EV3 Brick Display, and EV3 Brick Status Lights.
By the end of the lesson, students should know how to build with a motor, how to
create and download a program, and how to run it on the EV3 Brick.
LEGO, the LEGO logo and MINDSTORMS are trademarks of the/sont des marques de commerce de/son marcas registradas 12
de LEGO Group. ©2013 The LEGO Group. 062615.
Introduction
For additional lessons, refer to the other projects such as Make It Smarter and
Healthier to program a timed system. Working on solutions for Make a System That
Picks and Places and Make a System That Manufactures will add concepts such as
accuracy, precision, efficiency, and repeatability.
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de LEGO Group. ©2013 The LEGO Group. 062615.
Introduction
Medical With Wheels With a Sensor That Moves a Ball Measuring Distance
Personal And Display Speed And Faster That Picks and Places Measuring Speed
Safety and Security Up an Incline With Communication That Sorts Colours Sensors and Sensing
Systems
Space In a Pattern And Healthier That Communicates
and Subsystems
Transportation
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de LEGO Group. ©2013 The LEGO Group. 062615.
Introduction
Science
The aim of this route is to introduce students to scientific concepts and design Science and Engineering Introduction
engineering processes in a hands-on approach. These lessons assume a 90-minute Please see
Science and page 17.
Engineering
class period. Adjust the time for discussion, building and programming, group Robots
In Action
Make
It Move
Make
It Smarter
Make
a System
Key
Concepts
presentations, and feedback as your class requires. Logistics Video Video Video Engineering Process
Medical With Wheels With a Sensor That Moves a Ball Measuring Distance
a. In the Robots In Action category, real robots from seven industries are represented Safety and Security Up an Incline With Communication That Sorts Colours Sensors and Sensing
in videos. Watch one or more of the clips in small groups or as a class. Space In a Pattern And Healthier That Communicates
Systems
and Subsystems
b. Discuss the questions included in the video projects and make conclusions about Transportation
where robots are found now and may be found in the future.
c. Hand out the building sets for each team. Challenge students to use the Robot
Educator tutorials to control a motor, EV3 Brick Display, and EV3 Brick Status
Lights. By the end of the lesson, students should know how to build with a motor,
how to create and download a program, and how to run it on the EV3 Brick.
Wheels.
c. During the students’ Brainstorming process, try the Key Concepts Measuring
Distance project. You may wish to work with the building and programming tools
as a class or have students work with the tools on their own. Measuring Distance
uses a motorised wheel and a program with the EV3 Brick to convert motor
rotations to distance in centimetres.
LEGO, the LEGO logo and MINDSTORMS are trademarks of the/sont des marques de commerce de/son marcas registradas 15
de LEGO Group. ©2013 The LEGO Group. 062615.
Introduction
For additional lessons, refer to the other projects in Make It Smarter to add concepts
such as adaptation, communication, and more opportunities for data collection and
analysis. See also Make a System That Picks and Places and Make a System That
Manufactures to add concepts such as accuracy and precision.
LEGO, the LEGO logo and MINDSTORMS are trademarks of the/sont des marques de commerce de/son marcas registradas 16
de LEGO Group. ©2013 The LEGO Group. 062615.
Introduction
Medical With Wheels With a Sensor That Moves a Ball Measuring Distance
Personal And Display Speed And Faster That Picks and Places Measuring Speed
Safety and Security Up an Incline With Communication That Sorts Colours Sensors and Sensing
Systems
Space In a Pattern And Healthier That Communicates
and Subsystems
Transportation
LEGO, the LEGO logo and MINDSTORMS are trademarks of the/sont des marques de commerce de/son marcas registradas 17
de LEGO Group. ©2013 The LEGO Group. 062615.
Introduction
Medical With Wheels With a Sensor That Moves a Ball Measuring Distance
Personal And Display Speed And Faster That Picks and Places Measuring Speed
Safety and Security Up an Incline With Communication That Sorts Colours Sensors and Sensing
Systems
Space In a Pattern And Healthier That Communicates
and Subsystems
Transportation
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de LEGO Group. ©2013 The LEGO Group. 062615.