Lego is a household name when it comes to children’s toys. It wouldn’t be hailed as the largest toy company in the world for nothing. It started out by manufacturing plastic bricks that could be stacked to build a figure, and later ventured into developing educational materials and tools that could be used in progressive learning.
One example is Lego Mindstorms, a hardware and software kit it developed in 1998 to allow kids to create and design their own robots. Since then, it has continued to launch upgraded iterations of the series. Each Lego kit contains sensors, lights, motor, battery, and bricks to create a mechanical system which is programmed and controlled using an official companion app.
Here are some of the cool inventions by children using Lego robotics programming:
Photo credit: BraigoPrinter
In 2014, twelve-year-old Shubham wanted to come up with an engineering project for a science fair. While brainstorming, he stumbled upon the idea of braille printers and how inaccessible it was to visually impaired individuals due to its expensive costs.
He made a prototype of his concept using Lego’s Mindstorms EV3 robotics kit, and because of his invention, he became one of the youngest to receive Venture Capital (VC) funding after Intel took an interest in his invention.
Shubam later co-founded Braigo Labs to make further developments on the printer and to provide open-source documentation for those who want to try making their own version of Braigo using the Mindstorms kit.
Currently, Shubham is pursuing an undergraduate degree in Engineering and Business at UC Berkeley.
Photo credit: LEGO Discover
In 2016, teenage brothers, Sanjay and Arvind Seshan built the Holiday Plott3r, a machine they designed to write out Christmas cards. It was capable of printing multiple designs by using two markers to create the images dot by dot – essentially like a dot-matrix printer.
The brothers established websites to learn programming using Mindstorms and another Lego platform SPIKE Prime. Sanjay has since then been a Lego League participant, coach, judge and referee and has won numerous STEM and robotics awards under his name. Like his big brother, Arvind has made a name for himself by winning awards in Lego Robotics and being the youngest recipient of the Coach award at the FIRST LEGO League World Festival.
Photo Credit: Hand Solo
David Aguilar was fortunate enough to have Legos to play with during his childhood. But unlike most kids, he has a rare disorder called Poland Syndrome, a disease that can cause severe abnormalities in the shoulder, arm or hand. Although he was born missing an arm, it didn’t stop David from inventing something that could eventually help children with the same condition.
In his teens, David set up a Youtube channel and called himself “Hand Solo”, a pun based on the famous Star Wars character. This is where he uploaded the updates on his fully-functioning Lego prosthetic invention. The latest version was created using the MK5 which is activated by muscles operating a motorised pulley.
In 2017, David received a Guinness World Record for creating the first fully functional Lego prosthetic arm.
David has since taken up bioengineering at the International University of Catalonia, Moreover, he has written a book and taken part in innovation conferences by NASA.
Photo Credit: leonoverweel.com
The rise of camera phones prompted fifteen-year-old Leo Overwheel to create the Lumia Rig in 2013 using nothing but the Lego Mindstorms Nxt kit. The Lumia Rig i’s a robot meant to control the panning and tilting of the Lumia 928 Windows Phone. The remote control is connected via Bluetooth to command it to rotate the phone exactly around where the lens is located.
Leon has other inventions which he uploads on his Youtube channel such as PriNxt and Skype Car – all made using Lego Mindstorms. He studied computer science at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and artificial intelligence at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Aside from robotics and programming, he’s also into photography and video editing.
Photo credit: Astonishing Studios
For Marcel, founder of Astonishing Studios, life changed after seeing the video of M&M’s & Skittles LEGO Candy Machine. At the age of 16, he began making his own machines which he often published on his YouTube Channel. Today, Marcel’s channel is the most popular Lego food channel on the platform.
One of his most famous creations is the Cereal Vending Machine made of Lego Mindstorms kit. It dispenses milk and cereal when the light sensor detects a coin being inserted.
Some of the other vending machine inventions by Marcel include the Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Maker, McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets Vending Machine, and the 3-in-1 Soda Fountain.
STEM Education breaks away from the traditional methods of teaching and focuses on developing essential skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking and allows the students to experience actual application of what they have learntlearned. Lego robotics programming crystallises the essence of STEM education by providing a platform for children to explore these technology concepts to create something of their own. Given the achievements of the children mentioned above, it’s evident how Lego and STEM education play a big role in influencing a child’s interest in science and technology.
STEM Genius believes that nurturing kids with STEM can increase their chances to succeed in their future careers just like these teen inventors.
Contact us to start your child’s STEM journey today.
In the digital era, coding has become an essential skill for the younger generation. STEM Genius Coding & Robotics Academy, a leading institution...
In the rapidly evolving digital age, coding has become a fundamental skill for the younger generation. That's why STEM Genius Coding & Robotics...
In the dynamic world of technology, especially in Singapore, robotics classes are becoming increasingly crucial. STEM Genius Coding & Robotics Academy, a pioneering...
In the heart of Singapore, STEM Genius Coding & Robotics Academy stands as a beacon of innovative education, shaping the minds of young...
We live in an age where technology is rapidly advancing, and the next generation has to be prepared to face a future that...
In this era of the internet and computers, basic computational and information technology (IT) skills are becoming increasingly important. This is especially true...
Coding classes at a young age are a great way to prepare kids for a lifetime of success. However, this is true insofar...
The 21st century has been full of promise as technology continues to develop rapidly. Given the advancement of automation and robotics, it is...
Children today live in an era of technological advancements and are exposed to rapid developments and innovations. Exposure to coding and robotics classes...
The world is witnessing a digital revolution, and learning to code has become an essential skill for the next generation. As parents and...
Scratch is a programming language often used to introduce children into the world of coding. Its visual programming approach with many features similar...
The 21st century (the years from 2001 to 2100) stands to leave a mark in the pages of history for being one of...
Over the last few decades, a new education movement has gained steam, one that is geared towards equipping new generations with skills to...
As the world continues to evolve technologically, Singapore's education system is progressively adapting to equip students with the necessary skills to thrive...
Lego robotics has become increasingly popular in recent years. And this is no surprise seeing that for decades, playing with Lego has helped...
Lego bricks have long been a favourite toy for children, sparking creativity and imagination in young minds. Today, Lego has evolved beyond its...
According to a report published by the International Federation of Robotics in 2021, Singapore ranked 1st as the country with the highest robot...
In recent years, STEM, an acronym for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, has gained traction among nations worldwide as a field that will...
When parents find out that their child has a strong interest and aptitude for STEM-based knowledge and activities, it can be an exciting...
According to a 2021 survey conducted by multinational conglomerate 3M, more than 60 percent of Singaporeans became more motivated to possibly pursue a...
Building a foundation for success in the 21st Century About STEM GeniusSTEM Genius is committed to cultivating the next generation of leaders, innovators,...
If you are reading this, you’re probably curious about the craze behind Scratch coding. Many teachers and educators recognise it as an effective...
It’s no surprise that kids love to explore, play, and tinker with exciting new things. As parents, it is natural to indulge them....
In a highly modernised and digital business world, learning high-tech skills can facilitate success. Why not begin developing these skills – and therefore...
The increasing importance of computing and technology in the modern workplace means that people with a strong background in science, technology, engineering, and...
Lego is a household name when it comes to children’s toys. It wouldn’t be hailed as the largest toy company in the world...
Nurturing the Next Generation of Change-Makers. ...
In 2014, thirteen-year-old Shubham Banerjee, showed up at the school science fair with a braille printer made out of a Lego robotics kit. His...
“I’m new to Scratch, but both my students and I are already loving it! I’ve never seen students take something so quickly or...
Original Link: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/chan-chun-sing-moe-diversity-schools-education-2115116 Secondary school students in Singapore. (File photo: MOE) Singapore will provide its students with diversity in school and education pathways, skillsets,...
We are a group of passionate educators who strive to bring STEM education to every kids through our fun, interactive and affordable STEM programs.
