Teaching AI using LEGO Mindstorms

Accessible Hands-on AI and Robotics Education

Volume

Papers from the 2004 AAAI Spring Symposium

Contents

We have taught a number of artificial intelligence classes that include project work centred around the use of LEGO Mindstorms robots. These courses have been offered at three institutions that have quite different student populations, and all have been greeted enthusiastically by the students. This paper aims to share some of our experience, give pointers to material we are developing (and hope others will use), and describe some of our efforts to quantify the educational benefits of using robots in the classroom.