Teaching Physics with LEGO:
From Steam Engines to Robots
Department of Physics, Center for Materials Research and Technology,
and School of Computational Science and Information Technology,
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4350, USA
rikvold@csit.fsu.edu
Department of Physics, Center for Materials Research and Technology,
and School of Computational Science and Information Technology,
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4350, USA
mitchell@csit.fsu.edu
Abstract
It has struck us how students at all levels often have very weak
intuition about the physical world. This is probably partly due to the
increasing sophistication of our surroundings. While children of previous
generations
played with mechanical toys whose workings they could actually observe,
today's children are surrounded by electronic toys and appliances. To
understand the workings of those often requires an advanced degree in
physics or engineering, and all that is visible with the naked eye are a
few plastic squares with metal contacts.
Partly to help foster the physical intuition of students at various levels,
and partly as a way of amusing ourselves,
we have devised a few models from standard LEGO parts, that
illustrate some of the principles of mechanics, thermodynamics, and
robotics. These include several compressed-air engines modeled on historic
steam engines and locomotives, and a robot that
sorts LEGO bricks according to color. The models have been used as
demonstrations in introductory university physics classes, and in a
one-semester mentorship program with middle-school students.
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