The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Discovery Book

February 1, 2015

Gr 6 Up-A tome for fans of robotics and LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Kits. Hyper-detailed instructions-with full color, easy-to-read and understand illustrations-help budding enthusiasts navigate EV3 Kits with clear language and step-by-step directions. Readers learn the basics of assembling a simple robot before being introduced to various programming tricks to be used on the EV3 Brick, the colloquial term for the Mindstorms mini-computer. Be forewarned that in order to take full advantage of the programming functionality of the kit, including the ablity to create and edit programs, users must have a computer to connected to their EV3 Brick (though basic programming on the EV3 Brick can be done without one). Each chapter contains several short challenges, dubbed "discoveries," which are cleverly accompanied by a legend: whimsical gear wheels represent the estimated amount of building time; tiny Microsoft Windows-esque blocks show the expected level of programming expertise; and a small clock estimates the length of time it should take to solve the challenge. Later chapters describe building intricate robots with fun objectives: a racing robot, ANTY (a robotic ant), and the SNATCH3R (complete with a robotic arm that grabs). Readers who are intimidated by the discoveries can skip these and instead focus on the building projects and the programming tricks that do not involve the use of a computer. The size, advanced vocabulary, and organization of the book evokes a science or physics textbook, which is warranted due to the amount of complex and detailed programming information contained within. However, colorful images keep it from feeling too academic. VERDICT This book will find a home in libraries with makerspaces and/or those that offer robotics or science clubs, LEGO teams, or other STEM-oriented groups.-Amy M. Laughlin, Darien Library, CT

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