ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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I have used the LEGO Team Challenge robotics kit with Girl Scouts for years.  They are durable, but the 6 RCX (programmable brick) batteries will need to be replaced every month or so, depending on the use.  Kids can get up to speed in about an hour using the ROBOLAB software to program them.
 
These robots are used by thousands of youth groups around the country.  They are durable (yes, we've dropped them) and they are engaging at the elementary through adult level.
 
There's a Getting Started PowerPoint at our website: http://www.cet.edu/robotics/.
 
I hope this helps!
 
Meri  ;-)
 
Meri V. Cummings, Ph.D.
Science Resource Teacher and Lab Manager
NASA-Sponsored Classroom of the Future
Center for Educational Technologies
Wheeling Jesuit University
316 Washington Avenue
Wheeling, WV  26003

Phone: 304-243-2499
Fax: 304-243-2497
Email:  [log in to unmask]
URLs: 
http://www.cet.edu/robotics/
http://iss.cet.edu/electricity/
 

________________________________

From: Informal Science Education Network on behalf of Christie Greene
Sent: Fri 11/10/2006 9:31 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Help with Robots



ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

Hello



I am currently designing an exhibit which will be called "Inventor's Lab"
and we are looking into the possibility of using robotics within the
exhibit. Some that we have looked at are Lego Mindstorms, Crickets, and the
Sandwich Robot. I was curious to see if any other museum had any experience
with any of these robots and what their experiences were such as durability,
public opinion, cost effectiveness, etc, etc. I am also open to any other
robot ideas that I may not know about. Thanks!



Christie Greene



STEP Coordinator



Catawba Science Center


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