Thames & Kosmos Robotics Workshop with Micro:Bit STEM Experiment Kit, Creative, Educational Coding & Programming Curriculum for Home & School Use, Utilizes MakeCode App to Learn Python, Javascript
$274.30
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An intuitive, state-of-the-art building and robotics kit for serious engineers and makers! Packed with hundreds of durable, reusable components, and designed for both home and school use, this comprehensive and engaging curriculum gives young learners the tools to explore the field of robotic engineering like never before. The kit begins with instructions to build 14 simple motorized robots with sensors that can control the robots. With over one hundred snap-together, versatile building pieces, kids can also construct new robots of their own design! Once you’ve built your robots, you’ll add code to program them and bring them to life. Robotics Workshop utilizes the award-winning micro:bit, a tiny computer that kids can program using the free web or app-based platform MakeCode. Through MakeCode, kids can begin their coding journey with easy-to-understand visual block-based coding, and then stretch themselves to learn the most relevant coding languages of the tech industry: Python and JavaScript. A 32-page full-color manual and tons of online resources feature step-by-step illustrated building instructions and explanations for how to program and operate the robot models. Also needed: a tablet running iOS or Android and/or a PC with Internet access. MakeCode is free and web-based, so there are no PC system requirements.
An intuitive, state-of-the-art building and robotics kit for serious engineers and makers, this detailed curriculum is ideal for all types of learning environments–at home or in traditional classrooms.
Learn to program and code as you build unique robots from durable and reusable plastic building pieces and with a variety of sensors.
Incorporates micro:bit, an award-winning tiny computer and an ideal first microcontroller for kids interested in learning about various coding languages.
Program your robots using the open-source platform MakeCode, available on any device and as a web app on Chromebook, allowing for high accessibility.
Provides a thorough opportunity for kids to explore real-life tech firsthand and introduces them to the most relevant coding languages in the indusry: Python and JavaScript.
11 reviews for Thames & Kosmos Robotics Workshop with Micro:Bit STEM Experiment Kit, Creative, Educational Coding & Programming Curriculum for Home & School Use, Utilizes MakeCode App to Learn Python, Javascript
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$274.30
Chris –
Great for kids and adults
Got this for my son for christmas and he absolutely loves it. We have now bought more micro bit chips and have been diving into making our own projects.
PARK JIYOUNG –
Very good
10 types of variable assemble, good age appropriate, detailed manual.
Don –
It looks complicated, but after reading the manual. It pretty advanced for a child. In my opinion
I’ve set this aside until I can devote full time on this. It’s like a course in basic robotic design.
Anthony –
Instructions very easy to follow
As an adult just starting in robotics this was a nice way to start. Knowing nothing of coding the program was easy to use.
Lauren –
Five Stars
Great condition, great product! Our child loves this, and instructions are well written so a child can follow them!
Mel Irizarry –
Get a nice Arduino kit, you will be happier.
At this point I do not know if the unit is defective of if the Blockly programming IDE is buggy. Tried to connect the robot on 3 different computers using the USB cable and 2 android devices using Bluetooth. Only 1 device was able to talk to the robot through Bluetooth. That lasted for few minutes until the robot started spinning its wheels for no reason and was turned off. When it was turned back on the Bluetooth connection could not be regained. My son was terribly disappointed at the failures especially after being extremely excited unwrapping this on Christmas morning.A support ticket was filed with Thames and Kosmos this morning so hopefully the company will reach out and fix the problem quickly. I will adjust my review when that happens.— Continuation —After two unanswered requests to Thames and Kosmos for help I finally went through Amazon. They shipped me a replacement right away and it arrived the next day. Here is the continuation of my review.Doing some research I found that the USB connection requires a driver to work. The VCD Driver from ftdichip.com is required but not included nor mentioned in the manual. I do want to clarify that the driver was installed for the first unit. It worked for a few test runs then stopped working. Rebooting did not help. However, the second unit works fine.Now I’m excited. Time to get the first project running, the Ultrasonic Turtle. Well it keeps going forward running into everything in its path until it runs out of cable. There’s two problems here. First, when running with the USB it has to be connected at all times. Second, the program for the first project is not complete in that it does not even use the ultrasonic sensor! It just goes forward and stop after a 10 count. That’s it (See the attached photo, it’s the same as in the manual). Ok, time to put my programming skills to the test and write my own code. Simple code that continuously loops moving the robot forward while the sensor has a reading > 20 otherwise it will turn right. It ran like it should except that the reading from the ultrasonic sensor bounced sporadically to 0. This caused the program to go run the turn subroutine for no reason. This was while it was propped up with its wheels off the table due to the limited length of the cable.I put the robot on a tile floor and connected with Bluetooth on my Android tablet. It runs. Until the grout line. The motors cannot even get the robot over a 1/4″ grout line. Even with fresh batteries. the one time it did go over, the back rolling ball bearing got stuck and popped off. Granted it’s an oversized lego but these models are not build for durability.What I thought would be a great experience for my son turned into a huge disappointment. He is a big fan of Arduino and they do exactly what you program them to without having to be controlled by a computer or tablet.To summarize:Pros:- Programming is easy if you know scratch. My son is proficient there.- Looks niceCons:- Need special drivers for USB – not included and if you do not know how to admin windows you will not get this to work.- First unit was a dud.- Thames and Kosmos has not replied to either of my support requests- Weak Motors- Flimsy connectors- Spotty Bluetooth- Must be connected to computer or tablet to run.Sorry Thames and Kosmos, you should have done better testing with this one. It’s not ready for prime time.
Stella –
Five Stars
Thames & Kosmos Robotics Workshop Kit
Online shopper –
Five Stars
Best robotics set out there!
Fernando Enrique Lara Vila –
Buen articulo. El pero que le pongo es que es un poco difícil la programación para los niños. pero buen producto
aj –
Despite some negative reviews i went with the majority and hoped that my experience would be positive. However, my 10yr old assembled his first robot and managed to connect to both an android phone and tablet via bluetooth (both latest software versions) and when running a default basic command the bot just beeped and jolted slightly, thats it. I disassembled the bot to test the motors in isolation and still nothing, looks like a fault with the main control unit that others have experienced. Whats more frustrating is there is no supplier product support to try and figure out what is wrong, very disappointed child on Christmas morning – and angry parent paying out for such an expensive toy. Have asked other customers via amazon for support but no reply and now have no choice but to request a replacement/refund but leaves an awkward discussion with my son! I cringe at giving this even one star…
P M Fenton –
OK