CoderZ Announces CoderZ League World Champions

Students in grades four through 12 throughout the United States and the world joined in the cloud-based robotics tournament.

DERRY, N.H. (PRWEB) MARCH 02, 2021

CoderZ today announced the winners of the all-new CoderZ League: the Virtual Cyber Robotics Competition (formerly the Cyber Robotics Coding Competition or CRCC). Students in grades four through 12 throughout the United States and the world joined in the cloud-based robotics tournament. Three teams from each of the tournament’s two levels – Junior and Pro – became CoderZ League World Champions.

Beginning coders, schools new to the competition, and students in grades five through eight competed at the CoderZ League Junior level using Blockly. The three CoderZ League World Champion teams were the following:

  • The Legend Z team from Union High School (Pennsylvania)
  • The Avenues FLL MG team 1 from Avenues the World School (New York City)
  • The Method K20 all-girls team from Methodist Girls High School located (Ghana)

The CoderZ League Pro level was for students in grades seven through 12 who could use Blockly or Python. The three CoderZ League World Champion teams were the following:

  • The Virginia Beach ATC team from Virginia Beach City Public Schools (Virginia)
  • The Explosion team from School 1329 (Moscow)
  • The RoboGriffins team from the nonprofit Philadelphia Robotics Coalition (Pennsylvania)

During the tournament missions, students competed on the award-winning CoderZ Cyber Robotics Learning Environment, a cloud-based platform featuring a graphical simulation of LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robots. The students used the virtual 3D robots to complete the tournament challenges or “missions.”

“These six teams outperformed competitors from 18 countries, 29 U.S. states, two Canadian provinces and Puerto Rico,” said Ido Yerushalmi, CEO of CoderZ. “In all, over 150,000 students participated in the CoderZ League; amid the disruption and distress of 2020, all of them dedicated themselves to learning STEM, coding, tech literacy and soft skills like critical thinking and collaboration as they competed. We are so immensely proud of them all.”

Even before the pandemic hit, CoderZ’s successful engagement of students in cyber robotics learning had made its virtual coding tournaments an international phenomenon. In 2019, the vast majority (98%) of surveyed educators stated that the content delivered by CoderZ League’s predecessor, the CRCC, provided a foothold for computer science and STEM learning. And a whopping 100% reported that their students were engaged. “Our model works for both in-class and remote learning,” said Yerushalmi. “So, no matter where students are, CoderZ makes robotics far more accessible to them now and in the future.”

“Due to the pandemic, we were unable to meet in person and construct a physical robot, so students who wanted to continue growing their robotics skills were given the option of participating in CoderZ,” said physics teacher Sean Martin who served as the team coach for RoboGriffins. The RoboGriffins team formed through the Philadelphia Robotics Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting robotics programs in the city’s public high schools.

Most of the students on the team had previously focused on the mechanical side of robotics. “Students were eager to learn more about coding as it is a crucial component to our usual robotics activities,” Martin explained. “What appealed to us the most about CoderZ was that whatever code you wrote had an instantaneous effect on the robot. There was no waiting for things to compile, and there were no abstract exercises. You wrote a code, and immediately saw what the robot did as a result. The fact that the visual presentation is as appealing as it is certainly helped too.”

The RoboGriffins team took advantage of other CoderZ offerings before writing their world championship code. About 12 students on the team also completed the Amazon Cyber Robotics Challenge. In addition, most of those 12 completed at least three units in either the Cyber Robotics 102 curriculum or the Python Gym course.

“School closures due to COVID-19 were what led to us seeking a virtual platform like CoderZ in the first place,” said Martin. “You allowed us to continue our work of spreading knowledge of robotics in spite of the lockdowns and we are very grateful for it.”

Educators who would like their students to learn or refine their coding skills in a fun, competitive format can still sign them up for the CoderZ League Sprint Challenge, which will run until March 31, 2021.

About CoderZ
CoderZ is an innovative and engaging online learning environment. Developed for students in grades 2 and above, the gamified STEM solution allows student to work at their own pace, easily programming real and virtual robots from anywhere in the world. The platform enables students to acquire computational thinking, problem-solving, and creativity skills, together with coding and STEM learning, all via a flexible and scalable virtual solution. For more information go to http://www.gocoderz.com.

LegoWorld Utrecht 2018 Photos

CoderZ: Bringing robotics to every student in the world

CoderZ is an online learning environment where kids learn how to program virtual and real robots within the STEM pathways. Problem-solving, critical thinking, computational thinking, teamwork, self-paced learning, formative assessment, robotics, classroom engagement: CoderZ includes all of these concepts and more.

Discovering different new ways to engage the new generations with robotics and with STEM related fields becomes a bigger challenge everyday. That is why, tools like CoderZ are being developed to give teachers, educators, and robotics experts the possibility to take a deep breath.

CoderZ’s new version, now compatible with the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 (through Lejos), enables students to program their own virtual robot and acquire 21st-century skills. Delivered with the “Coding Robots” curriculum, co-developed by Intelitek and Gary Garber, CoderZ becomes an scalable and effective way for students with different levels to experience the robotics world in class.

Having several gamified missions, motivates kids to accomplish them in order to move to a harder level. Also, CoderZ has a class management tool for teachers to track each student progress and activity.

Starting with a friendly drag-and-drop blockly visual editor, kids progress to code their virtual robot using Java.

Recently, the CoderZ team added to their previous FTC, First Tech Challenge, version, the new version mentioned before, which is compatible with the EV3 brick. Right now, the CoderZ team is offering a 14-day free trial which you can sign up for here.

CoderZ even gives you the option of driving and programming your virtual robot on the moon, taking into consideration friction and gravity. And of course, increasing the kids’ engagement with the robotics world. Although, for now, kids’ won’t be able to try their robot on the moon after they download the program, but who knows what Elon Musk will create in the next few years.

Pay some atención! CoderZ’s STEM learning environment is available both in English and in Español… Si señor!

Learn more about CoderZ at http://GoCoderZ.com.

Request your free trial here.

Das EV3 Roboter Universum – jetzt im Handel

Das EV3 Roboter Universum 
Ein umfassender Einstieg in LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3
mit 8 spannenden Roboterprojekten

von Matthias Paul Scholz, Beate Jost und Thorsten Leimbach.

 

Es handelt sich um das erste umfassende Einführungsbuch in die neue Generation von LEGO® MINDSTORMS® auf Deutsch, wobei sowohl die Home- als auch die Education-Edition voll unterstützt werden.
Die 504 Seiten des Buchs sind komplett in Farbe.

Aus dem Inhalt:

Acht spannende Roboterprojekte:

  • ein sechsbeiniges Roboterinsekt
  • ein Roboterauto
  • ein Raupenfahrzeug
  • ein Mars-Rover zur Erkundung fremder Planeten
  • ein Wächter, der entlang einer Linie Wache schiebt
  • ein dreibeiniger und mit Kanonen bewaffneter Roboter-Droide
  • eine automatische Marionette
  • Kommunikation: der Trainer gibt Bewegungen vor, die ein Sportler nachahmt

• Fortbewegung mit Rädern, Ketten und Laufbeinen
• Einsatz aller Sensoren
• Verwendung des Zamor-Werfers
• Fernsteuerung
• Drahtlose Kommunikation zwischen mehreren Robotern
• Ohne Vorkenntnisse verständlich

Dieses Buch vermittelt nicht nur Einsteigern und Einsteigerinnen die Grundlagen, um eigene Roboter mit MINDSTORMS zu bauen und zu programmieren, sondern bietet auch Fortgeschrittenen vertiefte Kenntnisse und neue Ideen zum Set.

Anhand von acht spannenden Roboter-Projekten werden die Möglichkeiten der Robotik praxisnah eingeführt. Die anschaulichen vierfarbigen Schritt-für-Schritt-Bau-und Programmieranleitungen machen es auch ohne Vorkenntnisse einfach, die Roboter des Buchs nachzubauen und mit der LEGO®-eigenen Programmiersprache zum Leben zu erwecken.

Alle Roboter im Buch können jeweils mit einem einzigen EV3-Set gebaut werden.
Von der Fortbewegung mit Rädern, Ketten und Laufbeinen über den Einsatz aller Sensoren bis hin zu anspruchsvollen Aufgaben wie Linienverfolgung, Fernsteuerung und drahtloser Kommunikation zwischen mehreren Robotern führen wir leicht verständlich in die Welt von LEGO® MINDSTORMS ein.

Nach Lektüre dieses Buchs verfügt man über das notwendige Handwerkszeug, um die neue Generation des MINDSTORMS-Universums selbstständig weiter zu erforschen und eigene tolle Roboter zu erschaffen.

EV3 Sensor Adapter for NXT or Arduino

I just stumbled across the following on the mindsensors.com products:

EV3 Sensor Adapter for NXT or Arduino

 

Using this adapter, you can attach new EV3 sensors to your NXT or Arduino.
(This is basically a UART to I2C adapter).

  • For NXT, works with BricxCC, and new EV3 IDE for NXT
  • Lightweight and small design, that fits in-line with your sensor and brick
  • Use with Arduino with NXShield

 

I will test this adapter in the near future and write more about it here. Because the adapter is not supporting NXT-G, but the new EV3 IDE together with the NXT brick, this will then also be my first time using the new software with the „old“ NXT hardware.

LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 hits shelves on september 1st

Press release

ROBOTICS FANS AND EXTREME PLAY SEEKERS, MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 HITS SHELVES ON SEPTEMBER 1ST

Consumer Robotics Pioneers Reveal 12 Bonus Models Created by Community Experts;

Online Availability Expected Later this Month for Pre-Order

Billund, Denmark (August 1, 2013) – The LEGO Group today announced that LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3, the new award-winning consumer robotics platform, will hit retail shelves on September 1, 2013 and may start appearing later this month at select online retailers for pre-order. To inspire tinkerers of all ages with the limitless possibilities of the platform, the company unveiled the full collection of 12 bonus models designed by an international group of MINDSTORMS community experts that join five hero models introduced earlier this year.

Since the first public preview of MINDSTORMS EV3 at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, new and existing fans of all ages have been eagerly awaiting the updated system. The third evolution in the platform’s 15 year history, EV3 continues the legacy by energizing and growing the leading consumer robotics community of both children and adults. Since 1998, LEGO MINDSTORMS has expanded its influence across nations and generations from inspiring FIRST® LEGO League – the middle school robotics program with over 20,000 teams competing annually in more than 70 countries – to having real-world impact for prototyping at major research centers and manufacturers.

Powered by a stronger, faster intelligent brick and packing more memory and a larger processor, EV3 also features additions like a USB port, SD expansion slot and new infrared sensor for more control and capabilities. A Linux-based firmware provides endless programming possibilities to encourage hobbyists to push boundaries and imaginations and continue to grow the MINDSTORMS community’s library of over 15,000 creations. Users can also look forward to greater on-brick programming, full iOS and Android compatibility and first-ever 3D building instructions for tablets to bring the experience away from the computer when desired.

A multinational group of nearly 70 members of MINDSTORMS Community Partners (MCPs) from around the world contributed to the design process of the EV3 platform. The user-experts worked on a variety of topics including apps, hacking environments and creating the 12 bonus models that accompany the five hero robots at launch. The 12 bonus models include a never-before-seen robotic scribe, interactive shell game and robotic bulldozer, to further guide any new user’s exploration of robotics done the LEGO way.

“In the 15 years since MINDSTORMS debuted, the consumer robotics audience has grown exponentially and showcases increased tech savviness and creativity,” said Michael McNally, brand relations director for LEGO Group. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the public’s positive reactions since we introduced EV3 earlier this year; now with retail availability upon us we can’t wait to see how users will inspire us with their robotic creations.”

LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 highlights include:

EV3 Intelligent Brick

  • Stronger and faster ARM9 robotic processor
  • Embedded 16MB FLASH memory
  • 64 MB RAM plus SD expansion slot
  • LINUX operating system, released under open source
  • USB 2.0 interface allows for WiFi connectivity
  • 4 input ports / 4 output ports allow up to four intelligent bricks to be connected together
  • Matrix display with loudspeaker
  • Building-compatible button interface with status indication
  • Enhanced on-brick programming
  • Bluetooth ® v2.1
  • iOS and Android compatible

Hardware

  • 3 Interactive Servo Motors: 2 large and 1 medium
  • Touch Sensor
  • New IR Seeker Sensor measures distance, movements and detects objects
  • New IR Beacon remotely controls robot from up to 6 feet away
  • Improved Color Sensor detects 6 colors plus the absence of color
  • Backwards-compatible with LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT
  • Assortment of 594 LEGO TECHNIC® elements for easy, more stable building with improved functionality and movement capabilities

Programming Software

  • Free PC and Mac compatible downloadable software available online starting September 1
  • Icon-based drag and drop environment with new interactive content that helps de-bug programming
  • Ability to zoom out on big programs aids creation of advanced concepts like parallel executions and arrays

Building Instructions

  • Step-by-step building instructions for 5 hero models: humanoid, snake, scorpion, gripper and tracker
  • Detailed building instructions for 12 bonus models including: arcade style game, bulldozer, shell game, robotic scribe, dinosaur, electric guitar, line follower, forklift, brick measurer, racing truck, prankster and droid, as seen in the news section of the MINDSTORMS web community
  • First-ever 3D interactive, step-by-step building instructions app powered by Autodesk lets builders rotate and zoom each step to model creation
  • LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 will be available September 1, 2013 at most toy and discount merchandise retailers and online stores and will have a suggested retail price of $349.99(USD), €349.99(EUR) and $399.99(CAD). To meet increasing global demand, native language editions for Russia, China, Korea, Japan, Spain and Denmark will be released in addition to the English, French, German and Dutch language versions previously available. For more information, visit www.LEGO.com/mindstorms
  • For educators interested in bringing the engagement of robotics into STEM-related curriculum in middle school and high school classrooms, a new version of the MINDSTORMS platform optimized for school and institutional use is available now. The LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3 platform includes customizable curriculum; engaging, hands-on models and an easy-to-use programming platform.

LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3 Promo Video

Today the new LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 has been announced. Here is the official video from the LEGO MINDSTORMS Edcuation EV3 Press Kit. For more information Please visit
http://ev3lution.com
or
http://robotsblog.net

LEGO and the LEGO logo, logo are trademarks of the LEGO Group

LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Announced

ev3rstorm-mindstorms-ev3-small

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW, LAS VEGAS (January 7, 2013) – Today The LEGO Group announced LEGO® MINDSTORMS EV3, a new platform for consumer robotics designed to introduce a younger generation to the excitement of building and programming robots while adding new flexibility for its devoted following of robotics enthusiasts. Unveiled for the first time at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 is the result of three years of product development by an international team of LEGO designers, MINDSTORMS user-enthusiasts and leading technology experts. LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3, available in the second half of 2013, will be previewed to members of the global media at Digital Experience! on January 7 and will be demonstrated to CES attendees during the Kids@Play Summit, January 8-11, 2013, in the Venetian Hotel.

 

With LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 you can turn your LEGO creations into live robots that follow your every command. The new LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 set includes everything you need – motors, sensors, programmable brick, 550+ LEGO Technic elements, remote control – to create and command robots of even your wildest imagination, including 5 cool robot characters. Download the 3D building instructions and the app to command your robot via your smart device. Then program your robots to walk, talk, move and do whatever you want them to do to via the intuitive software program, the programmable brick or your smart device.

MINDSTORM_EV3_RGB_Trans_thumb

And not only do we have this good news, we also have the specifications:

EV3 Intelligent Brick

  • Stronger and faster ARM9 robotic processor
  • Embedded 16MB FLASH memory
  • 64 MB RAM plus SD expansion slot
  • LINUX operating system, released under open source
  • USB 2.0 interface allows for WiFi connectivity
  • 4 input ports: Connect up to 4 sensors at the same time, including your NXT sensors
  • 4 output ports: Now you can power up to 4 motors (Either Large, Medium or NXT)
  • Up to four intelligent bricks to be connected together (That’s 16 sensor and 16 motor ports!)
  • Matrix display with loudspeaker
  • Button interface with status indication
  • Enhanced on-brick programming
  • Bluetooth ® v2.1
  • iOS and Android compatible

Hardware

  • 3 Interactive Servo Motors: 2 large and 1 medium
  • 1 Touch Sensor
  • New IR Seeker Sensor measures distance, movements and detects objects, and acts as a receiver for the remote control
  • New IR Beacon remotely controls robot from up to 2 meters (6 feet) away
  • Improved Color Sensor detects 6 colors as well as the brightness of light sources
  • Backwards-compatible with LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT: Connect your NXT Sensors and motors to the new EV3 brick.
  • Assortment of 594 LEGO TECHNIC® elements for easy, more stable building with improved functionality and movement capabilities

Programming Software

  • Downloadable software is PC and Mac compatible
  • Icon-based drag and drop environment for “building” programs with new interactive content that helps de-bug programming

 

 

Read more at BotBench
Read more at RobotSquare
Read more at Lego.com