The Robot League is a group of schools that have classes or clubs building Lego Mindstorm robots with the intent of the robots competing against other robots in defined tests. It is modeled upon track or debate where individuals represent their schools in competition with other schools. In the near future, the league hopes to apply for recognition by the KSHSAA.
Nothing, or at least there is no payment to the league. In addition, the league has funds for donating a limited number, at least 20, of Lego Mindstorm or Dacta Team Challenge kits to schools willing to commit to coming to K-State (or possibly another TBD location) for a meet. Obviously, if you can get local funding for the kits, either from your school or local organizations like Kiwanis or Rotary, that would help us stretch our available funds.
The league has several volunteers, grad students at KSU, willing to travel to help install and introduce teachers to the kits. Obviously, if travel is involved, we would like to coordinate these sessions to serve several teachers at once. We can also arrange for volunteers to visit your classrooms to help explain and introduce the kits and the league. We are also searching the web for lesson plans, etc., and putting links to them on our web site.
4. What is the difference between Lego Mindstorms RIS and Lego Dacta Team Challenge?
As of 2.0, very little. Mindstorms is a consumer product while Team Challenge is marketed as a school product. The Lego parts included are virtually the same while the software is different. Mindstorms is probably easier for kids to pick up on their own but both were designed for and have been extensively tested on kids 12 and up. Team Challenge is currently a little more expensive, about $30, but will run on both MSWindows and Macs while Mindstorms is a MSWindows only product.
5. What kind of computer do I need?
For Mindstorms, a 200 MHz Pentium is required. It will run on a lesser machine but will be very slow. Team Challenge software runs on either a MSWindows or Mac. The latest version uses a USB based IR programming tower. The older version used a serial port. If a USB enabled computer is not available, it is possible to obtain the older serial tower.
Our experience is that one kit will serve 4-6 students. We have also found that putting girls in their own groups as much as feasible is a good thing.
7. How does my group join the league?
Send an email to robots-info@ksu.edu stating that you want to join.
8. If I join, what is required of me / my school?
Have a class or club build Lego robots. Then come and bring, or send, your robot to KSU for the Spring competition during K-State's Open House. During the year, we will also try to schedule meets between individual schools.
9. How many free kits can I get for one school?
The short answer is two or three. This activity is working on a tight budget and we are exploring finding additional funding. Two or three kits allow intramural competetion in a club or smaller class setting, providing the testing needed for the interscholastic competitions. Schools are encouraged to obtain additional kits from other funding sources. PTAs and local engineering firms are prime candidates.