Julie,

I personally like:

Educate NXT – great examples on how to calculate precise cornering and really learn some of the math and science required to develop a process.
http://www.legoeducation.us/store/detail.aspx?pt=1&ID=1954&c=0&t=1&l=0

Lego Mindstorms NXT-G Programming Guide –
http://www.legoeducation.us/store/detail.aspx?pt=1&ID=1450&c=0&t=1&l=0

and the Lego Mindstorms NXT Idea Book
http://www.legoeducation.us/store/detail.aspx?pt=1&ID=1461&c=0&t=1&l=0

You can find some of these cheaper on Amazon or other book selling sites.

There are a number of free sites and YouTube videos out there with great demonstrations of artificial intelligence, using variables, data hubs and other programming techniques.   Some of these are not directly applicable to FLL, but are very powerful in terms of technique and process.
http://robotclub.ab.ca/

http://www.teamhassenplug.org/NXT/

There are also some “dated” materials that offer good insights into the art and science of building with LEGOs
http://neuron.eng.wayne.edu/LEGO_ROBOTICS/lego_building_tutorial.pdf

From: First Lego League in Virginia and DC [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Julie C. Quick
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2010 8:09 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [VADCFLL-L] Curriculum for Use in the Off-Season

Good Morning,

I coached 2 rookie teams this year, and we did a lot of "brute force" programming and design.  The kids are so excited after the tournament, and want to continue to build upon what they have learned so far and what they saw at the tournament.  I am looking for a curriculum or set of activities that will help us to explore how to use the sensors with a bit more finesse and program more efficiently.  When we started the season, we did the sample exercises that came with the software, but we are looking for something a bit more in-depth now.  I looked on the Lego Education web site and there are a lot of options, but not a whole lot of information about each.  Has anyone used any of these resources and could provide additional information (or even just a table of contents)?  I was especially looking at:
  - Classroom Activities for the Busy Teacher
  - The Young Inventor’s Project with LEGO MINDSTORMS Education NXT
  -  LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT The Mayan Adventure
(They can all be found at http://www.legoeducation.us/store/default.aspx?CategoryID=178&by=9&c=1)

We hope to explore things like varying wheel sizes, using gears, more about the light sensor, etc.  We will likely meet once a week for about 2 hours duing the off-season and we have a division I and a division II group.

Thanks,
Julie

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