Home Tags Posts tagged with "LEGO SPIKE Essential"
Tag:

LEGO SPIKE Essential

Coding/Computer ScienceRobotics

New SPIKE App 3.2.0 Is Released by LEGO

by Peggy Reimers
written by Peggy Reimers

LEGO Education released a new SPIKE App on December 1, 2022. This will be the third version of the software app since SPIKE Prime was released in January 2020. The first release was solely programming SPIKE Prime. With the addition of the SPIKE Essential, SPIKE 2 was released. SPIKE 3 will be used for both SPIKE Prime and SPIKE Essential. Officially this app is called the LEGO® Education SPIKE™ App v. 3.2.0

This is an entirely new app for both the web software and the downloadable app. This app will upgrade both the firmware on your hub and the software. One of the nicest features this app will offer is a faster wireless hub connection on any device (Windows, Mac, iPad, Android, and Chromebook). The other bonuses include:

  • Simplified motor and movement blocks 
  • More precise model movement 
  • Greater capacity to support larger user programs 

Links:

SPIKE 3 App (official name: LEGO® Education SPIKE™ App v. 3.2.0)

SPIKE 2 App (name change: LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Legacy App v. 2.0.9)

If you using the web version of SPIKE App 3, use this link. Make sure you click on the blue box and select “Launch Web App.”

If you are using the web version of SPIKE App 2, use this link.

LEGO has provided this handy chart to help teachers decide when to make the transition to the new software.

I have heard from a teacher that there is a glitch with the new software when it comes to the color sensor not staying connected with the REFLECT function. If you are in the middle of competition season, you might want to hold off updating to SPIKE 3.

Things to Note About SPIKE 3

  • Python WILL NOT be available at launch time but is promised to come soon. When it is released, look for faster program execution and easier progression from Scratch to Python.
  • Upgrading is not compulsory. You get to decide when you would like to change apps.
  • Remember once you change from SPIKE 2 to SPIKE 3, your SPIKE 2 programs will not run on the newest software. So remember programs saved with SPIKE 2 will not be able to be opened with SPIKE 3. 
  • It is NOT recommended to switch back and forth between SPIKE 2 and 3. If you need to downgrade to SPIKE 2, you will need to contact LEGO Education Tech Support at success@lego.com.
  • If you were using the SPIKE Prime web app, you were not able to use bluetooth, just the USB cable. But SPIKE 3 has changed and you will have the bluetooth download capability. 
LEGO SPIKE 2 New Look
The New Look for SPIKE 2
  • The SPIKE App 2 will now be called LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Legacy App and will be available through June 2023. 
SPIKE 3.2.0 move for duration with steering at speed
Move for Duration with Steering at Speed
  • The More Movement block has been whittled down to three blocks of code instead of nine.
  • The More Movemement block no longer has “Move for Duration with Steering at Speed.” I used this block to program forward and backward movements, because you could control all three parameters on one block: direction, distance traveled (cm, in, time, degrees, or rotations), and power of the motors. If you used this like I did, you’ll need a new strategy to teach forward and reverse movement, probably using two blocks of code instead of just one handy-dandy block.

All in all, I think the app changes will benefit SPIKE Prime. My lingering question is: Which blocks will be the best for motor movement? When I find this out, I’ll update this blog post. Until then, go, bot, go!

26 comments
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinEmail
RoboticsSTEM/STEAM

How to Build Jitter and JoJo: Two LEGO® Education Robots

by Peggy Reimers
written by Peggy Reimers

Worldwide, many people have been inspired by the fabulous works of Yoshihito Isogawa– myself included. I consider him a legend in the LEGO world of robotics. Yoshihito Isogawa lives in Tokyo, Japan. His biographies describe him as a LEGO master builder, a LEGO® luminary, and a technical writer. He gives LEGO workshops and lectures at schools and science museums. 

Yoshihito Isogawa has also published ten books. His latest is “The LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor Idea Book.” This book has 125 models (interactive inventions, toys, cars, games, and more) built with the LEGO Robot Inventor set (#51515). This particular set is the retail/home set of SPIKE Prime. If you own a SPIKE Prime, you might pick up some great ideas from this book. Please remember the part selection for the Robot Inventor is quite different from the educational SPIKE Prime set. 

“The LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor Idea Book” by Yoshihito Isogawa

One thing to note is Yoshihito’s willingness to build and share all kinds of robots and contraptions through his Facebook page and YouTube Channel. He always comes up with ingenious building techniques and clever creations. So one day, believe it or not, I was exploring the internet and stumbled upon a YouTube video called, Two Wheels Car: LEGO SPIKE Essential. Check it out!

I am sure once Yoshihito got a hold of a SPIKE Essential set, his creative juices started flowing. This little robot is easy to build and just plain CUTE! 

Two Wheels Car: LEGO SPIKE Essential

As you probably guessed, I was inspired to see if I could build this cutie-pie robot. It was fairly easy to replicate this build after watching the video and pausing it at specific times to figure out part placement. I’m happy to report I was successful, and the only major change I made from the original was the name. In my honest opinion, the robot needed a name upgrade. TCEA’s Communications Specialist, Emily Hopkins, and I changed the name to “Jitter.” Here is the video of Jitter, and you can see how he got his name. If you want to build Jitter, check out my eight-step building directions.

Jitter in action!

I just couldn’t stop here. Next up was SPIKE Essential’s big brother, SPIKE Prime. Here are the directions for JoJo using a SPIKE Prime core set. It was pure joy to use the 5×5 light matrix for JoJo’s mouth and the biscuits (new technic building element included in the SPIKE Prime and SPIKE Essential sets) for sunglasses.

Two Wheels Car: LEGO SPIKE Prime

If you and your students build Jitter and his brother JoJo, please send me a photo or video. I would love to see your take on these two robots!

Interested in learning more about robotics? Register for TCEA’s Robotics Camp! Learn all you need to know about SPIKE Prime in just a few days. Build robots (and your confidence!), explore the possibilities, and gather up fun, adaptable lessons. Sign up today!

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinEmail
RoboticsScienceSTEM/STEAM

LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential Gets an A+

by Peggy Reimers
written by Peggy Reimers

FINALLY, I got my hands on a LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential. This set just brings a smile to my face. It is so bright and colorful. What first comes to mind upon opening the lid and seeing all the LEGO® bricks? SPIKE™ Essential is a magnificent mash-up of the previously released WeDo and Story Starter sets. 

About the SPIKE™ Essential Set

  • Released Date: August 31, 2021
  • Cost: $274.95
  • Building Elements: 449 bricks
  • Includes four minifigures with names and personalities
  • Grade Levels: Grades 1-5 
  • Program: Icon Blocks or Word Blocks based on Scratch
  • Engages students with STEAM concepts while contributing to literacy, math, and social-emotional development
  • Curriculum: 40 lessons in 6 Units
    • Units: Banded into Grades 1-2, Grades 3-5, and All Grades
    • Lessons Length: 30–45 minutes or 45–90 minutes

Hardware Included in the SPIKE™ Essential Set

  • LEGO technic small hub (half the size of the SPIKE™ Prime Hub)
  • 2 small motors
  • 1 technic 3×3 color light matrix (nine pixels and 10 colors)
  • 1 technic color sensor (exactly like SPIKE™ Prime)
  • 6 white base plates
  • 2 small wheels
  • Accessories (crab, dog, flowers, snowboards, and seats)
  • Box of 97 replacement elements

Why SPIKE™ Essential Receives an A+

After organizing my set and assembling several builds, here are my A+ findings for the SPIKE™ Essential set.

Organization 

There are eight color-coded stickers on the sticker sheet. The first task is to put the stickers on the corners of the two white trays. Then, find the color-coded bags of elements, and pour each bag into its matching section. Each compartment has just enough LEGO® pieces in each section to allow you to easily find the element you are looking for.

Re-Organization and Clean Up

After disassembling a robot, reorganization of your Technic Building Elements is so easy. You just put pieces away according to color. In every set before (SPIKE™ Prime, EV3, and WEDo 2.0), breaking down your model and organizing your pieces was tedious and time-consuming. Not anymore!

Replacement Elements 

LEGO® comes through with a box of 97 replacement elements! My only wish is to include replacements for the four minifigures. Teachers, you’ll need to come up with a strategy to keep Maria, Daniel, Leo, and Sophie from leaving your classroom. 

3×3 Color Light Matrix 

This little gem is just so cool. It’s easy to program with nine pixels, and you get ten colors. 

Sounds Provided

With the LEGO® software, there are way too many sounds to choose from. You just know every student will want to try all the sounds!  When programming with the Icon Blocks, there are three blocks of code to choose from. The choices are Animal Sounds, Sound Effects, and Music Blocks. Each block comes with eight sounds and a random option. 

Learning Content

SPIKE™ Essential offers five curriculum units for students in grades 1–5. Each curriculum unit includes lesson plans and teaching resources for seven, 45-minute lessons. Additionally, each lesson includes 30+ minutes of language arts or math extensions. Therefore, each curriculum unit contains a total of 6–10 hours of educational content.

If you are ready to jump in and start building, I highly recommend the Animal Alarm Lesson. The build was fun and the programming highlights the color sensor and the 3×3 Color Light Matrix.

My One LEGO® Wish

As you can see, there is a lot to love about SPIKE™ Essential, but I do have one wish.

I have to admit when it comes to the language of LEGO® I am a little particular. Why, you ask? Every occupation has its own set of jargon. It is imperative in many jobs that one knows the vernacular. If you are a carpenter, you know the difference between a hacksaw and a coping saw. If you are a plumber, you know the difference between a tee, an elbow, and a coupling. Part names matter!

LEGO® does not have a consistent naming convention for the parts. The names vary from set to set.

For example, here is a quick comparison of some SPIKE™ Essential and SPIKE™ Prime.

SPIKE™ Essential TermsSPIKE™ Prime Terms
Stackable LEGO® BricksIntegrator Bricks
1x3x3 Connector BeamBiscuits
Rubber Beam with Cross Holes2m Damper
Axle ExtenderCross Axle Extension

If you’re unboxing SPIKE™ Essential, please drop a comment and leave your own review. Go Bot Go!

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinEmail