The goals of these hands-on workshops are for the participants to learn the basic programming constructs of the Mindstorms NXT-G software and then to apply their knowledge, ‘how-to-use’, environment.  Participants will work in teams to program a simply designed robot and then explore using their robot to accomplish robotic challenges.

Workshop activities assume a rudimentary understanding of structures, gearing, motors, axles, pulleys, and wheels.   The operation of a variety of sensing devices will be explained, demonstrated and then used in simulated FLL and other challenges. The programming constructs learned include the NXT-G blocks defining a‘move,’ a ‘motor,’ a ‘wait,’ a ‘display,’  a ‘loop,’ a ‘switch,’ and ‘parallel sequences of blocks.’   Additionally the NXT-G unique exit mechanisms from the wait, loop and switch blocks will be demonstrated and used by the participants.There are 2 workshops planned.  Each workshop will meet twice.

*Workshop 1 will be held on Wednesday, September 29th and Wednesday,

October 13th.

*Workshop 2 will be held on Thursday, October 7th and Thursday October

21st.

All workshops will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 P.M. and are tentatively set to take place at General Dynamics Information Technology  (GDIT) at 1 Corporate Place in Middletown.

The cost of each workshop is $50 and is limited to 12 participants.

Participants should bring a laptop and their NXT materials.

Interested parties should email Denis Coffey.

Register by filling out the RISF NXT Fall 2010 Workshop Application Form.