Lego NXT
When learning is fun, it's sometimes hard to leave the learning process in the classroom and the Lego NXT line of products has been expanded for home use so that the joy of learning can be experienced whenever and wherever a student happens to be.
The Lego NXT educational tools vary only slightly from the public versions sold directly to consumers through retail outlets so students at home can easily expand or perfect educational applications first encountered in the classroom.
One of the biggest differences between the two is that the Lego NXT consumer version runs on power supplied by six AA batteries whereas the educational version uses a rechargeable Li-Ion lithium battery. And since there are going to be more students working on these tools at one time in the classroom, there are a few extra pieces in the school version.
But the basic Lego NXT kit, be it for educational or recreational purposes, comes with these fundamental elements:
- 519 parts, including Lego Technic and Bionicle parts plus a Visorak pincer
- one NXT Intelligent Brick (or CPU brick)
- three programmable servo motors
- one ultrasonic sensor that detects motion and distance
- one sound sensor
- one light sensor that detects intensity
- one touch sensor that detects press, release, and bump commands.
While those pieces keep one kid busy at home, the Lego NXT educational kit comes with these extras:
- 431 additional Lego Technic parts
- one NXT Intelligent Brick
- one Li-Ion lithium battery plus charger
- three additional servo motors
- one additional ultrasonic sensor
- one additional sound sensor
- one additional light sensor
- additional touch sensors
- three 39-centimeter converter cables that link Mindstorms RIS 2.0 sensors (first-generation technology) to the NXT brick (second generation)
- seven connector cables in three different sizes
- three lamps.
Additional Lego NXT parts are sold separately so there's really no limit whatsoever to what an intrepid inventor can create at school or at home.
