A few weeks ago I watched the Gadget Show on Channel 5 (The only show I watch on the that channel) and I saw a robot challenge. The presenters had series of challenges that three different robots had to carry out. It was really interesting to see what could be done with the robots that are commercially available now but I was really quite captivated by the LEGO competitor on the show.
The first stand that I visited today was the LEGO one and I met a Physics teacher who told me how he had developed a programme that allowed LEGO to be used throughout his school. I must say that t looks rather exciting.
He showed me a robot that was in the form of a scorpion and when you placed yo
ur hand in front of it to pick up one of the chocolates that were in its lair then a light sensor activates it’s whiplash tail and you get a minor but somewhat enjoyable fright!
Another robot was able to use it’s sensor to differentiate between red and green and as a result it would only swing it’s small golf 
club to hit the red ball that was placed on the tee. Amazing!
The software for programming the robots allows for differentiated use in the sense that it provides an iconic and symbolic interface. This makes it something that can be used in Primary and then through to Secondary but all within an interface that is familiar but progressively more challenging and demanding. On first inspection it did look accessible and relatively easy to get to grips with and the fact that it could be adapted to facilitate progression in terms of control technology was a real positive.
The LEGO people were also telling me about the yearly LEGO challenge that is due to take place later this month. I wonder, are there any Scottish schools going? Also, are there any Scottish schools using LEGO in relation to Control Technology? If not, what is being used?
One thing I think the designers at LEGO have got right is the aesthetic of the robots. Does anyone remember the film Short Circuit? If so, it seems that Number 5 is alive after all! Have a look and see the resemblance…
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