LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Compatible Sensor IRSeeker V2 And Infrared Electronic Ball
Name
Katrina Mäeorg
Abstract
Math and science subjects are not among the most popular in schools, although there is a considerable need for specialists in that field, even in the information technology sector. That is one of the reasons why it is important to get young people more interested in these subjects and make them more interesting to learn. The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robot kit, that was the topic of this bachelor thesis, is one way of doing that.
The main purpose of this bachelor thesis was to create educational material for the infrared sensor and infrared ball that work together with the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robot kit. These devices are made by a company called HiTechnic, which has developed a comprehensive collection of sensors that can be used with the robot kit. All the material created is in estonian. This thesis will be used at schools, as a way of popularizing science and robotics among Estonian schoolchildren by teaching kids programming and logical thinking skills.
This thesis consists of three parts. The first part is aimed at explaining the physical phenomenon - what is infrared light and how it is used (for nightvision, temperature measurement etc). The second part gives the technical details about the infrared sensor and infrared ball. It also gives directions on how to use them. The third part of this thesis consists of exercises with different levels of difficulty.. These exercises were created to make learning more fun and exciting.
This thesis, among with other theses created for the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robot kit, is a part of the “Koolirobot” project that was already started in the year 2007. By the spring of 2012, there are more than 100 schools that have been part of this project and are using the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robot kits in related classes and extracurricular activities to make learning science and physics more fun.
Graduation Thesis language
Estonian
Graduation Thesis type
Bachelor - Information Technology
Supervisor(s)
Anne Villems, Taavi Duvin
Defence year
2012