Exploring LEGO Mindstorms EV3: Tools and Techniques for Building and Programming Robots

405 Pages·2014·17.68 MB·English

by  Eun Jung Park

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Exploring LEGO®
MINDSTORMS® EV3

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Eun Jung (EJ) Park

Exploring LEGO®
MINDSTORMS® EV3

Tools and Techniques for Building and
Programming Robots

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Exploring LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3: Tools and Techniques for Building and Programming Robots

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Copyright© 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
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ISBN: 978-1-118-87974-0
ISBN: 978-1-118-87972-6 (ebk)
ISBN: 978-1-118-87995-5 (ebk)

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(This book is dedicated to my parents.)

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Eun Jung (EJ) Park has been developing LEGO robotics and curricula at RoboFun
since 2010. There she designs robots that are used in STEM (science, technol-
ogy, engineering, and math) programs for children and youths. She hopes that
her work provides students with opportunities to develop their creativity and
encourages scientifi c curiosity through robotics and coding. Her LEGO robotics
projects and building instructions are used in programs for children and youths
around New York City.
EJ was born in Seoul, South Korea, and studied various art disciplines for
more than 12 years, which formed the foundation for her passion in the interac-
tive arts. EJ traveled to the United States to earn her Masters degree from the
Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP) at New York University (NYU).
In the United States, she enhanced her knowledge of physical computing, pro-
gramming, mechanical engineering, and a variety of other technologies. At
NYU she started building mechanical moving sculptures called “automatons”
and explored various mechanical elements such as gears, cams, and pulleys in
her creations.
With her work at ITP—and, of course her passion for LEGO—she became
the creative force behind Vision Education & Media/RoboFun’s LEGO robotics
curricula. At any given moment, she is probably building LEGO robots some-
where in New York City. You can see her work at www.ejpark.com.

About the Author

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Dr. Damien Kee holds a PhD in robotics and a bachelor’s in electrical engi-
neering. He has been running technology-based workshops for students and
professional development for teachers since 2003, both in his home country of
Australia and abroad.
Damien has presented a variety of educational technology topics in places
such as QSITE (Australia), Google Apps for Education Summit (Australia),
RoboCupJunior (China), Jubilee Centre (Jordan), Tuffs University (USA), RoboFest
(Singapore), and ATLAB (United Arab Emirates and Qatar).
Since 2001, Damien has been heavily involved with the RoboCup Junior com-
petition, at a local, state, national, and international level. From 2009–2011, he
was chairman of RoboCup Junior Australia and technical chair of the RoboCup
Junior International Rescue Committee. He is the author of several teacher
resource books, contributor to theNXTstep.com, and a member of the LEGO
MINDSTORMS community program, a group of people around the world who
consult with LEGO to make the MINDSTORMS system a better product.

About the Technical Editor

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Acquisitions Editor
Mary James

Project Editor
Jennifer Lynn

Technical Editor
Damien Kee

Production Editor
Christine Mugnolo

Copy Editor
Keith Cline

Manager of Content Development
and Assembly
Mary Beth Wakefi eld

Director of Community Marketing
David Mayhew

Marketing Manager
Carrie Sherrill

Business Manager
Amy Knies

Vice President and Executive
Group Publisher
Richard Swadley

Associate Publisher
Jim Minatel

Project Coordinator, Cover
Todd Klemme

Proofreader
Nancy Carrasco

Indexer
John Sleeva

Cover Designer
Wiley

Cover Image
Courtesy of Eun Jung (EJ) Park

Credits

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From the day I started this book and until this moment, I wouldn’t have been
able to survive without support from the following people.
My editors from Wiley Publishing, Inc., Mary James and Jennifer Lynn, for encourag-
ing me to take on this process and for keeping me on track to meet my deadlines; and
also to the technical editor, Damien Kee, for providing valuable advice for the book.
Tom Igoe from NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program made this
book possible by bringing me and Wiley Publishing, Inc. together.
The RoboFun Crew, especially the CEO of the company, Laura Allen, for
giving me the chance to begin my career in technology curricula development
with LEGO robotics in the fi rst place. My appreciations extends, as well, to Lisa
Whitmer, as the Program Director at RoboFun, who always encourages me to
develop my ideas to their fullest.
My friends Brian Cohen and Maria Tranquilli, whose creative spirits and
positivity have brought me more confi dence as an artist.
My roommates, Aya Takemoto and Christine McCaleb, who would check
to make sure that I was okay when I was in my room writing and they hadn’t
heard from me for a number of hours.
My fi rst supporters and teachers, my parents, Sun Tae Park and Soon Gil Lee,
who always give me their support and only wish to make all of my dreams come
true; and also my sisters, Ji Hye Park and Hyun Jung Park, who always manage
to cheer me up, get me out of ruts, and believe that I can overcome any obstacle.
Lucian Reynolds who supported me through every single moment of this
process with endless patience, encouragement, advice, and humor; who never
stopped trusting in my ability to write this book, even when I doubted myself.
To anyone else who wasn’t mentioned already. To all the people who had to
get a rain check from me because I was too busy writing this book but who still
keep me in their lives. I thank you all.

Acknowledgments