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Young builders

Mechanisms, block coding and sensors. 16 lessons · ~5.7 h · Ages 8+, with an adult

What is a robot?Types of robotsSafety in roboticsSense, think, act (the control loop)Thinking like an engineerStructures and stabilityGears and gear ratiosWheels and drivetrainsLinkages and mechanismsLEGO SPIKE Prime and EssentialLEGO Education Computer Science & AIAlgorithms and sequencesBlock-based codingLoops and repetitionWhat is a sensor?Conditional logic (if / else)
NowWhat is a robot?Foundations · Beginner · 15 min
GoalMechanisms, block coding and sensors
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All lessons

  1. What is a robot?Foundations · Beginner · 15 minA simple, useful definition of a robot and how to tell a robot from an ordinary machine.
  2. Types of robotsFoundations · Beginner · 15 minMobile robots, robot arms, humanoids, drones and more, and what each is good at.
  3. Safety in roboticsFoundations · Beginner · 20 minThe safety rules for electricity, batteries, tools and moving robots that every builder follows.
  4. Sense, think, act (the control loop)Foundations · Beginner · 20 minHow every robot runs the same loop, input → process → output, many times per second.
  5. Thinking like an engineerFoundations · Beginner · 20 minThe engineering design process (ask, imagine, plan, build, test, improve) and the habits that make debugging easier.
  6. Structures and stabilityMechanics · Beginner · 20 minWhy triangles are strong, what the centre of gravity is, and how to stop a robot tipping over.
  7. Gears and gear ratiosMechanics · Beginner · 25 minTrade speed for strength with gears, and calculate gear ratios for your robot.
  8. Wheels and drivetrainsMechanics · Beginner · 25 minWheel size, differential drive, casters, tracks and omni wheels, and how a two-wheeled robot steers.
  9. Linkages and mechanismsMechanics · Intermediate · 25 minLevers, cranks, cams and linkages that turn a motor’s spin into the movement your robot needs.
  10. LEGO SPIKE Prime and EssentialPlatforms · Beginner · 25 minUsing existing LEGO SPIKE kits: hubs, motors, sensors and coding, and what their retirement means.
  11. LEGO Education Computer Science & AIPlatforms · Beginner · 15 minLEGO’s 2026 classroom kit that replaces SPIKE: what it is and how to choose between it and other platforms.
  12. Algorithms and sequencesProgramming · Beginner · 20 minWrite precise step-by-step instructions, the way a robot needs them.
  13. Block-based codingProgramming · Beginner · 25 minSequences, events and commands with blocks in MakeCode, LEGO SPIKE and mBlock.
  14. Loops and repetitionProgramming · Beginner · 25 minRepeat actions without repeating code: for loops, while loops, and the robot’s forever loop.
  15. What is a sensor?Sensors · Beginner · 20 minHow sensors turn the world into numbers, and the difference between digital and analog signals.
  16. Conditional logic (if / else)Control & autonomy · Beginner · 25 minMake a robot respond to its sensors with if, else if, else, comparisons and logical operators.