Embedding LEGO Mindstorms in the Electromechanical Engineering Technology Curriculum

The innovative use of LEGO as a tool for learning and exploring has leaped many boundaries.The use of LEGO is projected as a fun learning tool, while keeping the mind and the hands of the user engaged in creative activities.The degree of the diverse level of users captured by LEGO is practically boundless.The LEGO mindstorms is a fun learning tool for users from very young children to older adults.The kinds of activities that can be performed vary from designing and building to coding in languages such as NXT, Java, and C. The type of learning is intuitive and the inspiration for applying and advancing emerges from the users themselves.Many children who are fortunate to be exposed to the LEGO activity have the opportunity to participate in the competitions and are aware of the wider world of LEGO applications.However, there is an imbalance and many of the students entering college are not familiar with the LEGO environment.We propose to use LEGO as a tool for an inner city institution starting with the freshman class of students.LEGO serves as a perfect platform for these students who are enrolled in the Electromechanical Engineering Technology program.In this paper, we step through the process to employ LEGO as a tool in the Logic and Problem Solving course.We will also discuss the students' experience with LEGO as part of enriched learning.Finally, we conclude with the observations and recommendations of the efficient use of LEGO mindstorms in the curriculum.