Hey all, like the title says, I’m looking for a robotics kit I can use with my young nephew.
I used to teach Lego Mindstorms years ago so that’s kinda the level I’m looking at. Some things I would like for this go round though:
- He’s young enough that I think I want to start with a visual programming language instead of real code. I’ll gauge his interest and move to real code if he seems like he wants to.
- I would like to have the connection for the controller go to a computer as opposed to an app.
- Linux compatible.
- I would like it to build something that moves with something like wheels or treads.
- No AI
Does anyone have any ideas? I’ve seen a lot online and have no idea if they are good brands or not.
Not just country but world now. Their K-8 program is a great entry into STEM as it is both an engineering challenge with the robot game and also the project that comes along with it (usually to design or organize around a certain challenge or theme).
FIRST also does a great job with their core values. They attempt to instill what they call Gracious Professionalism in everything that the program does. Basically, FIRST can be looked at as a program that tries to build good, competent people through the mechanism of a robot competition. In fact, the highest level award in the program is based around the impact that a team has on their community rather than how well a teams robot performs.
I might be a little biased, however, as I’ve been involved with the program (in the high school level competition) for about 17 years now. I know there are other programs out there that offer similar levels of STEM training, but none that build up people in the same fashion.