LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 launches in UK

Not a lot of details but color detection is mentioned.

http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/01/28/lego.mindstorms.nxt.2/

http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.phtml/21837/22861/lego-mindstorms-nxt-20-launches.phtml

It hasn't said if NXT 2.0 will be available in US.

If you find out more, please drop me a note, i.e., leave a comment here

FLL Season is Over for the Nanites

Well the season is over for the Nanites. The team had a go run in the state championship but the robot performance fell short. Despite the disappointment with the robot, the team did very well in teamwork and research and took first place in the research project.

We talked to Plastic Mini Figures' mentor, Kevin, and learned a lot from his insight into building reliable robots, in particular, the machanics of doing that. No wonder their robot is so robust!

The Nanites shared their robot and programming with dozens of teams visiting our table. We also learned a lot from other teams. The atmosphere was great.

Something for me to ponder - mixing 3rd and 7th graders turn out to be very tough for coaching. I will not do it again. Perhaps the 7th graders (going to be 8th graders in the fall) can move on to FTC while the little ones can stay on FLL. I don't know yet. But that is something to think about.

A Math Problem

Hi Nanites,

Thinking about sharpening your math skills? Try this:

http://mathcounts.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=355&srcid=1336

-Kingsum

Judging Rubrics...

FIRST has a new look.

http://www.firstlegoleague.org/community/uploadedFiles/FLL%20handbook%20web%20sz%2008.pdf

read pages 90-96, focus on the right most column.

For the 7th graders on the team, please reflect on what you think and share your thoughts when we meet today.

BTW, if you want to print them out, a high quality version is supposed to be available on http://www.firstlegoleague.org/community/uploadedFiles/FLL%2008%20cover+pages%20print%20quality.pdf - but it seems broken. So please stay with the first link I gave you for the time being.

-Kingsum

Climate Connection: Quiz 5

Has our climate changed? How do scientists determine that?

Please click on the link "http://legonanites.blogspot.com/ " and respond with your answer by entering it as comment. You need to respond to each quiz before our next meeting.

Please note everyone on the Internet can see your answer.

Climate Connection: Quiz 4: Dry & Wet

What is the driest region on earth? Why is it so dry?
What is the wettest region on earth? Why is it so wet?

Please click on the link "http://legonanites.blogspot.com/ " and respond with your answer by entering it as comment. You need to respond to each quiz before our next meeting.

Please note everyone on the Internet can see your answer.

Climate Connection: Quiz 3

Quiz #3 - What are the characteristics of waves? Do you think heat is wave(s)?

 

Please click on the link "http://legonanites.blogspot.com/ " and respond with your answer by entering it as comment. You need to respond to each quiz before our next meeting.

Please note everyone on the Internet can see your answer.

-Kingsum

Climate Connection: Quiz #2

Now that Danny has responded to Quiz #1, the rest of you should hurry up.

Quiz #2 - What is light? What is heat? How are they related?

Please click on the link "http://legonanites.blogspot.com/ " and respond with your answer by entering it as comment.

Please note everyone on the Internet can see your answer.

-Kingsum

Climate Connection: Quiz #1

Hi Nanites, To encourage you to think deeper in the research and robotics, I will be giving you a few quizzes during summer. Here is Quiz #1.

Quiz #1: What are the major characteristics of weather? Please list all of them you know.

Please click on the link "Lego Nanites" and respond with your answer by entering it as comment.

Please note everyone on the Internet can see your answer.

Thanks, Kingsum

Here is a picture of the mat

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TnqLjPgGhc8jIUVjwEKje81e0Segi4NOxImGkVfPt38i6BVDb7NPndcThi68pvdl7qxtfGizJNucUwjHTJYHom0VsswRzoLklsbRf8lFxKumqh_XnPvF4eNchhG31eERfOXUT4cHoI80/s1600-h/ClimateConnections2Field11x17.jpg

That should help you remember your missions :-)