The SPIKE Essential comes with many new pieces. "While we do a lot of work and testing to make sure these products are successful in classroom, we also recognize that learning happens at home, summer camps, or after-school programs,". Similar to the SPIKE Prime programming, this new block software has more blocks that appear available for use when clicking on the extension tab. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Thanks for taking the time to reply with some insights from the classroom. This includes changes to the parts themselves and changes to the app experience. In addition to these education-focused products, The LEGO Group offers consumer-facing products aimed at both of these age groups. (He is very comfortable building with both LEGO and Technic parts and knows how to following building instructions, but is far younger than the target age group.). Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device. After a set is constructed, the code is sent to the Hub by computer or tablet and tells the Hub what activity to perform. In the case of this project, we learn that Leo wants to explore the arctic on a snowmobile. For example, a motor on a vehicle can be set in motion when a certain colored brick is flashed past the sensor, or a Ferris wheel spins for a set number of rotations. Even traditional classrooms can benefit from this. Originally from California, Les lives in Brooklyn, New York, and is obsessed with all things Ikea and Lego. #45345 SPIKE Essential costs $274.95 for 449 pieces. I love the tutorials that you drag and drop the code because it gives that freedom at the end to add on or change or make it what they [students] wanted to make with it.". We werent sure how we felt about this when we first opened the set. As explained in my LEGO Powered Up Guide, the Small Intelligent hub is similar to the larger version included in Spike Prime and Mindstorms, but with just two ports, no screen, and no speaker. As you can see from the technical specifications below, the small angular motor has significantly less torque and speed than the other SPIKE motors. That said, I wanted to point out some key opportunities to make the experience better for students and instructors. Although this robotics set is geared for younger audiences than the SPIKE Prime or Mindstorms, its a great set for learning to love robotics and comes with lots of awesome new pieces! Update: I have just got my set and updated this article with my first impressions. It will make a great disco light for our minifigures VIDIYO performances! The following is a detailed list of bugs or improvements that I would like to see in future versions of the Spike app. Play is actually a big part of Lego Education's approach to STEAM learning. Other/different Icon Blocks are available when using the SPIKE Prime hub selection instead. Each lesson begins with a series of illustrations explaining the problem we want to solve by building a simple machine and writing the program to make it work. It is much easier to use and understand for a younger age range using SPIKE, especially for those still working on reading skills. The Essential kit was ABSOLUTELY needed as a bridge between the coding platform of WeDo 2.0 and Spike Prime/Mindstorms/EV3 coding. 6 It costs $274.95 (304.99 / 274.99) for 449 pieces. Even different colors of the same part incur significant additional costs in terms of warehouse capacity and production bottlenecks if the specific part in the required color runs out. A simplified premise for STEAM education (and its more common counterpart, STEM) is preparing students for a future that is unknown, but science and technology will be fundamental in preparing them for whatever opportunities await. The problem is that this set is stuck between these two systems: all of the loose parts use the classic studded connections, and all of the electronic components are based on the modern studless Technic system. I regret getting rid of my 10 WeDo 2.0 sets as I firmly believe they still made a better classroom experience for children due to the wide variety of parts. This creates the following 22 product matrix based on subject matter and grade level: The two tiers align nicely with key age groups: Essential products for grades 1-5 (for most elementary schools in the United States), and Prime targeting grades 6-8 (for middle schools). For a total newbie to robotics, I think these kits are phenomenal, a great way for a teacher who wants to learn to do robotics to dip their toes in comfortably. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. This hands-on experience also helps me improve another popular resources on this website The Brick Architects Guide to LEGO Powered Up System, which includes a complete list of Powered Up, hubs, motors, sensors, and other accessories. Unlike the SPIKE Prime, the SPIKE Essential hub only has two ports (an EV3 has 8 and the SPIKE Prime has 6). I was eager to see whether the smaller projects included in the much simpler Spike Essential would be fun to build together. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. By contrast, modern LEGO Technic sets have moved away from classic studded Technic Bricks, in favor of Technic Beams. Zahn added that with the pandemic and more students enrolled in remote or hybrid learning environments, people are looking for ways to give students more social and emotional learning. #45345 SPIKE Essential is an education-focused product aimed at ages 6+, specifically students in grades 1-5. The Light blocks are a customizable light up block (for the light matrix) and a random light block. Thanks Huw, There is also a really cool new stud-to-connector piece (65826). Once the model is complete, we get to bring it to life by writing a simple program. Next, it gives building instructions to create a robot to solve the problem, and gives code to make it work (sometimes, kids will need to experiment with certain values to make the robot work). The good news is that the motor is compatible with the Large Intelligent Hub, and even works in the Mindstorms app (unlike the 33 LED Matrix). However, the SPIKE Essential cannot use the Python programming language (SPIKE Prime has that added option). Not only are these modules a bit easier to build with the included LEGO parts, but the programming expectations are simpler as well. All rights reserved. With a cubic volume of 335 (plus the round bit that sticks out), its nearly half of the size of the Medium Angular Motor included in the Spike Prime set. Each unit starts with a story explaining the challenge. In my previous review of the Spike Prime set, I noted that the 8 compartments were barely sufficient to sort all of the pieces (and woefully inadequate after adding the optional expansion pack). That said, I have no doubt that these little motors will find their way into some other sets eventually, possibly in a gray color scheme. Below, is a picture of the new connector piece in use. Discover more about each Minifigure! Part of a learning system from Lego's education division that's designed for primary school students (first to fifth grades), Essential combines creativity with STEAM-based learning concepts short for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. "It has a lot of resources beyond the classroom, something parents could use.". LEGO refreshes their robotics kits every seven years like clockwork. The companion app is a free download, and contains five curriculums with seven to eight 45-minute lessons each, based on grade level. Built off the SPIKE Prime set that was introduced in January 2020 for secondary (middle school) students, Essential shares a similar philosophy of "learning through play." crappy app instruction for coding) and Spike Essential (amazing app instruction for coding! Time limit is exhausted. In addition, there are four Lego Minifigure characters, a Hub, two motors, a sensor, and a light module. The software unfortunately does not automatically convert your code from one programming language type to another. You can have fun learning about building LEGO machines and motorizing them with your own programs with the help of LEGO minifigures Maria, Daniel, Sophie, and Leo. Im glad that they chose to use the same app since the Spike app is good overall, and it increases the likelihood that support for this set will remain in place for a long time. You can read more about the LEGO Learning System here:https://ducklearning.com/blogs/parent-and-educator-resources/what-is-lego-learning-system-lls. function() { This might involve teaching the robot to follow a predetermined route, adding more motion features, or teaching it to do different actions when another color is detected by the color sensor. This includes a website that provides free lesson plans and tips, as well as a new professional development program to provide additional free solutions as well as hands-on workshops and coaching for a fee. "In most traditional classrooms, there's one right answer," Sliwinski said. Experience lessons from a students perspective, master classroom management, and explore best practices in classroom implementation. Our hands-on solutions teach important STEAM skill while also nourishing social and emotional development. The first part is on rails to make sure students succeed: They make you drag the programming blocks that are needed to create the program in a defined order. (ex: 24 plates are 191Flame Yellowish OrangeBright Light Orange, 26 plates are 322Medium AzurMedium Azure, and 28 plates are 37Bright Green. (Support for the PyBricks project is coming soon.). Email us at reviews@insider.com. Since the app is updated frequently, I believe it is possible to fix all of these issues without creating a new physical product. Robotics for Ages 10 - 16 years oldEV3 MINDSTORM (Production phased out in 2020 but app is functioning) >> SPIKE Prime (Introduced in 2021)We've created a straightforward table todetail the main differences between the SPIKE Essential and SPIKE Prime apart from the age recommendation. We tried most of the projects in the Great Adventures and Amazing Amusement Park units. I wish that they offered one more step in each project that celebrates completing the main project, and offers a list of additional things to try (time permitting, of course). LEGO Education SPIKE Essential engages students in hands-on investigation of STEAM concepts using everyday themes. Get honest reviews on top products & services delivered weekly to your inbox. We will give you an overview of the set and the software and let you know some of the aspects we really liked about it. Unfortunately, the transition from following the instructions to doing your own thing is not seamless. This includes overall craftsmanship issues such as visible compression artifacts in some of the building instructions, better support users with diverse needs, and usability improvements such as a clear indicator when a programming block is selected. 2x sorting trays (part 902097), and stickers to help organize the pieces. Prior to joining Insider, he was a senior editor at Digital Trends covering photography and in-depth features. I also wanted to see whether the unique parts in this set are of interest to adult builders. "Most of the concepts that take a long time to learn, we're teaching them through play getting them ready to learn and motivating them.". My motivation in reviewing this set was simple I enjoyed reviewing the Spike Prime set aimed at middle school kids, but it was far too complex build with my 3-year old son, even with a lot of help. Below, is the equivalent of the code using the Word Blocks language instead. "We spent a lot of time picking their names, hair, and body language to represent many types of diversity. However, if you dont need a lot of torque or speed for your application, or need to fit a motor in a very small space, this motor is perfect for you! display: none !important; The instructions are easy to follow, with relatively few sub-assemblies or other complicated steps. Time limit is exhausted. notice.style.display = "block"; The gift of learning and education is one of the more meaningful presents you can gift to a child. For example, SPIKE Prime can use the light matrix, and SPIKE Essential can use the touch sensor. They also feature the same callout in the upper-left corner of each step showing the parts you will add in this step. I had not noticed the absence of gears in this set, but totally agree with the observation that this is kind of weird! Building instructions are easy to follow (but sometimes have visible compression artifacts). Both Spike and BricQ Motion offer a simpler product for younger kids (under the Essential branding), and a more advanced product for older kids (under the Prime branding). The classroom-focused SPIKE Prime has a little sibling lets see what it offers for students and educators, and whether theres anything here for adult builders, too. The LEGO Group has been very forthcoming about the cumulative costs of each unique part they produce. Instead of getti https://ducklearning.com/blogs/parent-and-educator-resources/what-is-lego-learning-system-lls, Top Affordable and Reliable Robotics Kits for Kids [2022], 50 Cool AI and Machine Learning Projects for Students [For 2022], Educational and Meaningful Gift Ideas for Children (2021) - STEM Toys, Text-based Block Programming or Python (Full-text programming).