Getting Started with LEGO MINDSTORMS

A hands-on, beginner-friendly guide to building and programming robots with LEGO® MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor and LEGO® SPIKE Prime.

You’re the new owner of a LEGO® MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor or SPIKE Prime kit. Now what? This full-color, illustrated instructional guide teaches you the basics of robotics engineering, using examples relevant to both LEGO® sets. You’ll be making remote-control vehicles, motorized grabbers, automatic ball launchers, and other exciting robots in no time!

Rather than feature step-by-step instructions for building a handful of models, you’ll find essential information and expert tips and tricks for designing, building, and programming your own robotic creations. The book features a comprehensive introduction to coding with Word Blocks, an intuitive visual programming language based on Scratch, and explores topics such as using motors and sensors, building sturdy structures, and troubleshooting problems when things go wrong. As you learn, loads of challenges and open-ended projects will inspire you to try out ideas. Your journey to becoming a confident robot designer begins here.

LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies, which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this book.

Barbara Bratzel is a K-8 STEM teacher who consults at the Center for Engineering and Education Outreach at Tufts University. She has been a keynote speaker and workshop leader at LEGO robotics educational conferences around the world, and she’s the author of several robotics books for teachers, including Makerspace LEGO (College House Books).

Rob Torok teaches Computer Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Design at a senior secondary school in Tasmania. He has run robotics workshops for teachers and students, and consulted for LEGO Education Australia and the Center for Engineering and Education Outreach at Tufts University. He contributed a chapter to The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Idea Book (No Starch Press).