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Robotics

SPIKE Prime vs. Robot Inventor

by Peggy Reimers
written by Peggy Reimers

Dear TCEA Responds:

I am currently drafting a grant to upgrade my district’s LEGO competition robotics and am not sure which way competitions will go, considering the upcoming retirement of the EV3 platform.

I see the LEGO SPIKE Prime core set and the LEGO Inventor series are now available. The Inventor series looks like it would be more appropriate for my student body population (GT middle school), yet I see the LEGO SPIKE promoted on the TCEA site regarding competitions. I want to request funding for the LEGO product that will allow the broadest competition level (TCEA, FLL, and EcoBots, to name a few).

 Any guidance you can give is appreciated. Thank you!

Melba

Dear Melba:

Thanks for writing. What a great question to bring up for educational robotics. Look below for the information I have unearthed, plus a handy-dandy comparison chart between SPIKE Prime and Robot Inventor.

A Little Robot History

For the third generation of MINDSTORMS, LEGO built two sets around the EV3 Intelligent Brick. Both systems contained the exact same brick, but the sets were targeted to separate audiences. The #31313 retail set was developed for home users such as children and hobbyists. The #45544 was created for students and teachers in an educational setting. 

SPIKE Prime and MINDSTORMS Inventor

LEGO has now repeated this same strategy with the fourth evolution of the MINDSTORMS robotic system. LEGO sells the #51515 Robot Inventor as the retail version for home and hobby use. The #45678 SPIKE Prime core set is targeted for education. The programmable Hub is the exact same for both sets. The only differences between the two Hubs are the color and the pre-installed firmware. Look below for my comparison chart between these two systems: 

Helpful Websites

SPIKE Prime

Robot Inventor 

Additional Notes about the Robots

  • The fourth-generation Programmable Hub is half the weight of the EV3 Brick.
  • The sensor and motor cables have gone through a total redesign from the EV3 and NXT. The SPIKE Prime cables are softer and flatter than the EV3. And containing your cable around your builds is a nice upgrade. The cables are also non-detachable from the sensors and the motors. 
  • With the release of the new EV3 Classroom app, SPIKE Prime programming are both based on Scratch 3.0. The two systems have Python coding capability.
  • Check out this blog for more information on SPIKE Prime.
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Student working with a red tray from the EV3 robotics set.
RoboticsSTEM/STEAM

The EV3 Robot Retires

by Peggy Reimers
written by Peggy Reimers

LEGO Education has announced the retirement plans for the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Education version robotics system. The third generation of LEGO robotics (#45544) will be officially retired on June 31, 2021.

The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Home/Retail Edition set (LEGO #31313) retirement was announced in the later part of 2020.

Time line with the 4 LEGO systems: RCX, NXT, EV3 and SPIKE Prime.
Timeline created in Google Slides by author.

The LEGO Bots History

I’ve been around the block for the four iterations of LEGO robotics. I’m not as old as the LEGO brick (I wasn’t even born when it came out in 1958), but I did teach with the very first LEGO MINDSTORMS system, the RCX back in the day. The first generation of LEGO MINDSTORMS was born in 1998. July 2006 brought the second generation on board with the NXT. The EV3 (the third evolution of LEGO robots) became available in September of 2013. And, believe it or not, SPIKE Prime has been roaming around mats since January of 2020. So if you do the math, LEGO releases a robotics system approximately every seven years. SPIKE Prime was right on target.

It’s Still a Good Robot

I taught for 24 years, so I remember dollars for robots are tight. I know it is disheartening that you have invested in a system and now something new has come along. Please remember that the EV3 is a very viable robot and you can still get a bunch of mileage out of your EV3 sets. The Classroom app based on Scratch 3.0 was just released for all platforms this year; so we have really new software that supports the EV3. If your EV3 equipment is fairly new, I would buy a couple more bricks or a couple more batteries. If your equipment is ready for a refresh, now is the time to invest in the SPIKE Prime.

Questions and Answers

Friendly little robot graphic.
Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

Will TCEA accept the EV3 in future robotics contests? Yes, most certainly.

How long will LEGO Education support updates to the current EV3 programming apps? June 2023

How long can one expect to receive technical support on EV3 robots? June 2023 (If LEGO support follows their past history, the company will support EV3 longer than just the two years as they did with the NXT.)

Can I purchase EV3 core sets now? Yes, sales will continue in the USA  until June 30, 2021,  depending on stock availability. My two cents: if you are going to buy more sets, I would not wait much longer to make your purchases. 

Can I purchase EV3 motors, sensors, and Technic Building Elements? LEGO will fulfill tech spare parts until 2023.

What’s next for LEGO robotics? According to LEGO Education, “SPIKE Prime is the future and foundation of the LEGO Education portfolio for secondary schools.”

Please note the answers I have provided were found on the LEGO® Education Community I belong to for US Master Educators. These answers were provided the first of February 2021, but might change as the days roll by.  If you are looking for a comparison between EV3 and SPIKE Prime, please check out this blog.

As always, go, bot, go!

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SPIKE Prime
Robotics

Unboxing SPIKE Prime

by Peggy Reimers
written by Peggy Reimers

The fourth generation of LEGO Robotics was released in January 2020. My SPIKE Prime arrived shortly thereafter and, with the shelter in place, I finally have time to unbox the brand new TCEA set. Check out my first impression of the new robot on the block. 

The SPIKE Prime Programmable Brick

  • Programmable brick is named Smart Hub
  • 5×5 light matrix
  • 6 input/output ports
  • Integrated 6-axis gyro
  • Speaker
  • Bluetooth or USB connectivity
  • Rechargeable battery

The SPIKE Prime Software

  • Software is available for Windows, Mac OS, iOS and Android tablets, and Chrome OS
  • Visual coding language based on Scratch
  • Lessons (Invention Squad, Kickstart a Business, Life Hacks, and Competition Ready)
  • Getting started tutorials
  • Building instructions
  • Help
A table comparing SPIKE Prime to EV3
Created by author.

LEGO SPIKE Prime numbered cellophane bags.
Numbered Cellophane Packages. Screenshot by author

The Ultimate BEST CHANGE EVER!

Unboxing a set is so easy – just POUR the numbered bags into correct compartments in the top two trays. No more sorting piece by piece! Anybody who has sorted a brand new kit will JUMP FOR JOY at this change.

The Other Best Changes

  • The sensor and motor cables are flat and you can build around them.
  • Includes an extra packet of 108 replaceable parts (Wishing for an extra ball and housing among this bag of parts, but there is one in the Expansion Set)
  • New names for the sensors: touch = force and ultrasonic = distance
  • The SPIKE Prime Expansion Set has an extra color sensor and large motor. 
  • I have high hopes for the newly designed wheel. 
  • The battery has a flush fit with the Smart Hub.
  • The Smart Hub has lots of attachment points.
  • The programming software has the same interface so it does not matter whether you are on an iPad, Chromebook, or a PC/Mac computer.

Features I Miss from the EV3

  • The cardboard insert for the bottom of the storage bin. (I made my own.)
  • No plastic storage for expansion set
  • The bazookas are gray, not the EV3 shade of red.
  • The connector pegs are the tan (less friction), not the blue.
  • Charging the battery with a power cord. SPIKE only comes with a USB cable.
  • To be contest ready, purchasing the Expansion Set is a must.
  • No backwards software compatibility with the EV3.
Base plate, frames, integrator bricks, wire clips, and biscuits.

Well-Designed New Parts

  • Larger frames (7×11 and 11×15)
  • 2×4 bricks with a cross axle hole
  • 11×19 base plates
  • Wire clips (keep your cables in check)
  • 3×3 biscuits (the biscuit allows for easy change of build direction)

In conclusion, I love the new parts and the color scheme of SPIKE Prime. Right in line with the previous three generations of LEGO robotics, the system just keeps getting better and better. LEGO is aiming the rollout for sixth to eighth-grade students. But in my opinion, SPIKE Prime can easily be introduced at the fourth-grade level. SPIKE Prime will be accepted for the 2020-2021 TCEA Robotics Contest.

If you are unboxing your SPIKE Prime now, please drop a comment and let me know your discoveries. Go Bot Go!

Featured Image photo by LEGO Education.

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EV3 robot on the Race for Time Mat at a TCEA Arena Contest
Robotics

Changes Are a Comin’ for Programming an EV3 Robot

by Peggy Reimers
written by Peggy Reimers
the word change with a double arrow circling the word.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

When Apple releases the sixteenth macOS, Catalina, this fall, the Silverlight application will no longer be supported. Silverlight is a 32-bit application and Catalina will be the first version of macOS to exclusively support 64-bit applications.

What Is Silverlight and Why Should I Care?

Silverlight is an application framework created by Microsoft and designed for running rich media on the internet. The LEGO MINDSTORMS Education (LME)  software will not run on your Mac computer if and when you upgrade to Catalina.

What Do I Need to Do?

If you don’t upgrade your macOS, you can continue using the LME software on your Mac.

In November 2019, a fully functional EV3 Scratch application will be available for macOS only. The units will include: Getting Started with EV3, Robotics Camp, Engineering & Science, and Space Challenge.

In March 2020, a fully functional EV3 Scratch application will be available that contains the units for Getting Started with EV3, Robotics Camp, Engineering & Science, and Space Challenge for Chrome, Android, and Windows 10.

Is This a Good Thing?

Right now, when your program with the LME EV3 Mac/PC software, the programming looks different than the Chromebook/iPad. With the Scratch app, the programming will all look the same.

Answers to More Questions

  • Does this affect WeDo 2.0?  No.
  • Will the iOS and Chromebook app still work the same way? Yes.
  • Will I be able to use the data logging with the new Scratch app? No.
  • Will the EV3 Scratch app look similar to the new SPIKE Prime? Yes.
  • Can I preview the Scratch app now? The new Scratch application for macOS will be available for download in November 2019.

Can I Start Programming with Scratch Now?

Yes, to start programming with Scratch and EV3, simply download the EV3 Scratch link from MIT to a Windows 10 version 709+ or MacOS 10.13+ laptop. Please note this app is from MIT and does not include full curriculum support and teacher resources.

Where Can I get a Peek at the New Scratch App?

Well, TCEA has the answer. LEGO Education is holding a Coding and Scratch Academy at TCEA headquarters in Austin on November 12, 2019 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The cost is just $25 and lunch will be provided. Topics will include WeDo 2.0, Ev3 and SPIKE Prime Scratch apps, EV3 and Python programming, and a sneak peek of the new SPIKE Prime STEAM robotics system releasing early 2020. Registration is limited, so please register soon. 

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LEGO EV3
RoboticsSTEM/STEAM

Mission Possible: LEGO EV3 Robotics in the Classroom

by Peggy Reimers
written by Peggy Reimers

Take a moment and think of how the world has changed in your lifetime. No, really. Take a minute and write down three modern conveniences you didn’t have when you were growing up. Here are my three:

  1. My Roomba that vacuums my house, removing the never-ending pieces of dead grass my dogs bring in from the yard.
  2. My Echo Dot that tells me the temperature and sets the timer for cooking jambalaya.
  3. The ability to deposit my travel checks with my iPhone.

Technology never stops changing and evolving to make our lives easier. In fact, I just heard about a couple more technologies on the brink of revolutionizing current processes:

  • Starship is a company that makes delivery robots the size of portable printers on wheels. They are already operating in Washington, D.C., Fayetteville, AR, and two San Francisco Bay-area cities. The word on the street is they could launch in Austin sometime this year. Read the full article here.
  • Justin Crandall, a Dallas entrepreneur, and his business partner Bart Lomont have co-founded Robin. This lawn care startup is rolling out robotic lawnmowers to take care of keeping your yard in top form. The company has 36 robotic lawnmowers, which run on their own and use electric power rather than gas. Read more here.

Who will need to invent, design, and program these new robots? Hopefully, you said our youth, those students running around on our playgrounds and sitting at their desks. We need our kids to shift from passive consumers of tech to improving our world with their creations and imaginations. If you’re ready to engage your students with hands-on, design-based learning, join TCEA this summer for:

Mission Possible: LEGO EV3 Robotics in the Classroom

TCEA Robotics logo.
Logo designed by TCEA.

Here are five reasons to bring robotics to your classroom or campus:

  1. Sensory Learning Student learn with their senses, and robotics aligns with the active, hands-on development of today’s child.
  2. Social Learning Communication and collaboration are key skills needed for future college and career readiness.
  3. Innovation Opportunities Robotics offers opportunities to build and express creativity.
  4. Raise the Level of Thinking Future jobs will require our students to perform at the highest levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy: application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
  5. Bring Joy into Learning  Brain research suggests that fun is not just beneficial to learning, but, by many reports, required for authentic learning and long-term memory.

The workshop takes place in the TCEA Conference Center in Austin, Texas from Monday, July 15 to Friday, July 19. It is hands-on, minds-on learning and is guaranteed to have you ready to teach robotics when school starts back. It will start with the basics, but then move to more advanced concepts. Lesson ideas and lunch are included each day. For more information, topics covered, and registration details, visit this website. 

Learn robotics this summer. Teach robotics this fall.

Featured image photo by author.

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State Robotics Contest
Coding/Computer ScienceRoboticsSTEM/STEAM

Collaboration, Creativity, and Teamwork at State Robotics Contest

by Joe Vasquez
written by Joe Vasquez

Students from across the state gathered this past weekend to participate in the annual TCEA State Robotics Contest. Teams had the opportunity to put their collaborative critical-thinking skills to the test as they showcased their inventions and went head-to-head with other state finalists in the Arena division. Two hundred teams of up to four students each gathered in Hutto to test their skills. Each team had already competed at the Area level against more than 1,400 teams.

Arena Contest

This year’s challenge, Mastering Mars, allowed students the opportunity to task their robots to prepare the Martian environment for human settlement and iron mining. Each team’s robot had to complete as many tasks as they could within the two-minute time frame. Teams were allowed to use one LEGO Mindstorms programmable processing unit, LEGO-branded motors and sensors, other LEGO-branded devices, and non-LEGO parts not to exceed the five dollar limit.

It was impressive to see both Intermediate (grades 4-8) and Advanced (grades 9-12) state teams put their problem-solving skills to the test as they attempted to complete each task on the game field. Anticipation mixed with excitement filled the room as teams watched in awe as their robots performed. One contestant in the Arena Pit mentioned being able to test the robot’s capabilities and see what it can and can’t do as part of the thrill of competing. Overall, a great sense of teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity radiated throughout the groups.

Inventions Contest

As Arena contestants battled it out for the top spot, Invention participants exercised their creative-thinking skills by designing a robot to solve a real-world problem of their own choosing. From iPotty toilet assistance for the elderly to oil pipe sealing robots, students of all ages let their imaginations run free to create exciting solutions to make the world a better place. Other solutions offered to save lives, assist entomologists to gather insect specimens, and collect dangerous metal objects, among others.

In addition to providing functional prototypes of their creations, Inventions teams had to keep a detailed logbook of their progress and come up with polished presentations and marketing plans for their ideas. When asked what was their favorite part of competing at the state level, an intermediate team agreed it was the ability to create new initiatives through their inventions while being able to assist others in the process.

I hope this insider’s look into this year’s competition encourages you to incorporate robotics into your classroom while allowing your students to develop their problem-solving and critical thinking skills further. If you’re interested in learning more about our program and how your students can join other robotics teams next year, click here. You might also want to check out the amazing EV3 robotics workshop TCEA is offering July 16-20. This five-day robotics workshop will show you how to use LEGO MINDSTORMS to help your students develop a love of STEM along with valuable critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. Whether you’re an educator, librarian, or administrator, this week-long learning opportunity will give you the knowledge, resources, and best practices to introduce a successful robotics program at your school this fall.

 

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robots
RoboticsSTEM/STEAM

Rocky Mountain Robots #ISTE2016

by Peggy Reimers
written by Peggy Reimers

What can I say? When I get to train educators about robotics, life is always good!

I am so excited to be facilitating a hands-on workshop called Build and Program a LEGO Robot on Sunday morning, June 26 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Denver, Colorado. I cannot think of a better way to kick off ISTE 2016. The only way to learn robotics is to do it! Participants will spend the entire three hours of the workshop building and programming a MINDSTORMS EV3 robot. Built into the training will be classroom activities and management tips that will make the robotics program run smoothly.

If you are subject to acute mountain sickness (aka altitude sickness) or won’t be able to make it to ISTE this summer, consider coming to Austin instead in the fall for a learner-driven workshop designed to give you hands-on, minds-on experience with EV3 robotics. Save the date, September 15-16, 2016 on your calendar. Whether you are a novice or experienced educator, this workshop will build your engineering knowledge and skills, establishing a solid foundation in building and programming. Additional topics that will be covered include on-brick programing, classroom management techniques, and EV3 sensor activities which can be modified to fit any grade level.   

Register here for the fall workshop. And look for me at #ISTE2016 this summer!

Featured Image: ISTE 2016 logo.

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TCEA Contest EV3 Robot ready to compete
Coding/Computer ScienceRobotics

LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Software Gets an Update

by Peggy Reimers
written by Peggy Reimers

The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 software has a new addition. If you have not updated your EV3 software lately, now is the time to do it. Drum roll, please. The Lobby now has a new section called Teacher’s Support that is divided into four sections:

  • Teacher’s Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • Assessment
  • Element Survey

Available under the first section, Teacher’s Information, is a 17-page PDF that gives you a rundown of EV3 in the classroom. Topics include How Do I Get Started?, Classroom Management Tips, and Suggested Lesson Planning Routes. My favorite part in this section is the explanation of the Robot Educator. The Robot Educator has always been the hidden gem of both EV3 and NXT software. This jewel contains 48 tutorials which, through building and programming activities, guide and support teachers and students from basic to more advanced skills. As an added bonus, the tutorials are divided into lesson planning routes through the STEM subjects.

Next up is the Lesson Plan section with two main topics: lesson plans and rubrics. The Introduction to Robotics Lesson Plan has seven lesson plans, two master challenges, and four design brief challenges. Each lesson includes the build, programming examples, challenge design, and discussion questions. If you are looking for a student self-reflection form or teacher assessment for the lesson plans and master challenges, check out the matching rubrics PDF.

The third section, Assessment, is, surprisingly, all about creativity. Several behavioral indicators are covered and creativity self-report templates have been created for grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8. Scientific research by Dr. Mark Runco provides the foundation for all of the procedure and concepts described in this section. My first impression was “Why include a whole piece on creativity?” But it is definitely worth the read and can be used outside of robotics in other subject areas where creativity and innovation comes into play.

Part 4 is the Element Survey. This section gives you easy access to the Language of LEGO (names of the LEGO pieces and parts). You can also find the five-page list of LEGO elements in the User Guide.

BIG BIG NEWS!! Most teachers in the LEGO robotics world know about the EV3 hardware and software. But did you know LEGO Education offers the following curriculum bundles:

  1. EV3 Design Engineering Curriculum ($379.95)
  2. EV3 Science Curriculum ($199.95)
  3. EV3 Space Challenge Curriculum ($349.95)  
  4. EV3 Coding Activities (?)

Hold the fort or in this case, hold the robot! THE BEST NEWS is LEGO has taken away the price tag for these curriculum pieces. You can download each one here for free. In order to use these, the LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3 software must be installed on your computer. These resources focus on students aged 10-16 with links to national curriculum standards. Includes student-ready resources, full teacher support, assessment tools, sample programs, and building instructions.

One caveat:

If you are using the EV3 Science Curriculum you will need:

+ Renewable Energy Add-on Set ($109.95)

+Temperature Sensor ($39.95)

If you are using the EV3 Space Challenge Curriculum you will need:

+EV3 Space Challenge Set ($189.95)
These 4 pieces released by LEGO are such a bonus for robotics teachers. If you are looking for curriculum, I would certainly start here. Go Bot Go! (Additional resources for this blog were added on March 10, 2017.)

Featured Image: Photo taken by TCEA Staff

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