Robots Links Page

Below is a list of some of the best Robot sites on the web.

Some are beginner level, others are more advanced and focus more on principles and strategies. All have lots of very solid content about robots that you can apply to your child's education today.

Aurora's Robots

	Aurora's LEGO Robots
	Aurora's Home Robotics

Web Sites You Should Visit:

	LEGO Mindstorms Official Homepage
	LEGO Mindstorms Sensors Input Page Excellent resource for making your own sensors!
	LUGNET Robotics

Fun Places to Visit for LEGO Mindstorms Ideas:

	Serious LEGO by JP Brown Jaw-dropping inventions!
	Doug's LEGO Robotics Page
	Macs Robotics Page
	Mark's LEGO Page
	The Fetchbot
	Creating  a Spider Robot
	MIBO - the famous robotic dog homepage

Where to Buy Parts:

	Jameco Electronics has (mostly) inexpensive small electronic parts (resistors, photocells, clip leads).  If you want better quality and more expensive pieces, Mouser Electronics has the largest selection.
	Radio Shack is a better choice if you are buying in smaller quantities, so you can visit the store near you for instant parts.  They do tend to be expensive for smaller quantities, especially electrical components.
	Pitsco LEGO Dacta is a good place to find that one special LEGO part you need (electric plates, turntables, etc.)  If you order on-line, they do not require you to be an educator to purchase equipment.
	BrickLink (AKA Brickbay) Just about the largest unofficial shopping mall to get LEGO parts at reasonable prices.  Over 200 shops to search through for that last piece you need!
	Robot Store The name says it all.
	Graymark has a nice selection of good-quality robot kits for you to build... this is really the way to go if you've never worked with electronics and soldering before.  I use these frequently during RoboCamp with kids in the Jr. High to High School ages.  (These are not LEGO robot kits.)
	OMNITRON Electronics has a small selection of inexpensive robot kits I selectively use during my RoboCamp.  The quality of some robots is not as great as you might expect, and they are also re-seller of Graymark.  (These are not LEGO robot kits.)
	OWI Robot Kits are great for learning the finer details about robots.  I sometimes use these kits at my RoboCamp.  These kits are more expensive, higher-quality, and very intense to build (electronically and mechanically.  I would go here after you've mastered the art of soldering and put together a few robot kits from elsewhere.  (These are not LEGO robot kits.)
	X-10 Okay - so it's not robotics, but I am waiting to hear of someone using these controllers to power their AC-powered life-sized robot.  We use these inexpensive modules and controllers to automate our home, and it has really made a fun difference for us!  Lights come on when we come home, the stereo and dimmed lights shut off after we fall asleep, and dark hallways are automatically lit when walking around during the night.  We've got motion-detectors that sense sunrise and sunset as well as the cat next door, and also monitor our long flight of stairs for escaped babies (those gates don't always hold up to toddlers!).  Did I mention the camera that you can control via internet?
	Peeron.com lists complete inventory for almost all LEGO sets ever made - it's quite amazing!  Great for when you absolutely need the name of that one little part...

Great Reference Books:

By all means not an exhaustive list!  These are books I have personally evaluated for myself.

	Extreme Mindstorms is an excellent resource for the inventor looking to expand the RCX's capabilities.  A lot of neat ideas in the programming and homebrew sensor realm.
	Building Robots with LEGO Mindstorms by Mario Ferrari is an excellent resource for understanding robotic mechanics.  It's a huge book jam-packed with all the information you need for getting the most out of your RIS.
	The Unofficial Guide to Lego Mindstorms has fun ideas for adapting the RCX to greater limits, both in the  programming and sensor world.
	Lego Mindstorms for Dummies I couldn't believe they had a book for this.  This is great if you have absolutely no clue how to follow the directions provided by the LEGO Constructopedia in the RIS box.
	The Robot Builder's Bonanza is not exclusively a Mindstorms book, but it does provide nifty robot ideas by experienced builders (like how NOT to use a potentiometer as a motor speed controller).
	Any book by Forrest Mims, usually directly available through Radio Shack stores.

Testimonials

"Thank you for making science so fun and exciting! We have started watching the DVD about electricity and making robots and are working along. It's really great! My daughter has been into the life sciences -- gardening and animals and bugs. Now her interest is widening. As a home school mom I always appreciate someone, like you, who can broaden her horizons."

"I told my son he had to do his science lesson for just fifteen minutes each day, which was such a chore for him.

"One day I gave him this program. Three hours later, he made us late for an appointment because he couldn't tear himself away! He watched the videos over and over and built things I've never seen before. Thank you so much!!!"

~Barbara & Matt
Valencia, California

"Aurora spoke at a Cub Scout Pack 6 meeting a few months ago and totally "wowed" the boys who attended the meeting. It was amazing to hear them talk about her and their sudden interest in science. My husband, David Church, was equally impressed with her skills and presentations."

"First thing they said when they got home that night was, "Sign me up for all her camps, I love that teacher! My son and his buddies raved about you for days."

~Connie Hanretty Church, San Luis Obispo, California

"Thanks for coming to our school and doing a bang-up job on your rocketry presentation!  The students really loved it, had a ton of fun, and learned a lot."

~Jodi, Valley Oaks Charter School, Bakersfield, California 

"We just wanted to say THANK YOU for supercharging us at Valley Oaks Charter School.

"You were awesome and did an outstanding job with the experiments, presentations and putting it in kid friendly terms so they could understand. My kids now want to be rocket scientists!"

~Cynnde Lewis, Bakersfield, California

"We really enjoy your demonstrations. They are wonderful and we really loved the hovercraft you did today. Thank you for all that you are doing."

~Angela and her two youngest sons, Joseph and Kyle

"Jeremy is having SO much fun with everything - thank you all for the work & thought that has gone into the box & program!"

~Tracey Miller

"Thank you so much for coming out to do our science day. It was awesome! I have had parents contacting me all week to thank me for putting both presentations together. Actually you did all the work - thanks for making me look good!

You brought so much energy into our science program. Your presentation is inspiring, not to mention fun! You truly did inspire the young minds to think creatively about science.

Personally, my son Ryan has been doing some pretty creative thinking about his science project for our upcoming science fair. I am sure we will see many 'Aurora-inspired' entries this year!

Thank you again. My appreciation and just plain "awe" for how and what you do just can not be put into words.

Thanks again and again!"

~Lorraine Solomon, Coordinator

"My 13-year old son has not been interested in anything educational for a long time. This was the first time I saw a real spark of interest in his eyes. Thank you so much for your help in inspiring my son!"

~Ruth Ann,
Bakersfield, California

"Alex had a great time this summer in science camp. Thanks for the great experience!"

~Carol

"Thank you so much, I can't wait to begin using the Science Experiment Manual with my kids. They immediately did the rocket and began the robot.

"My youngest (10 years old) played with the robot all night and was explaining it to guests at dinner. Thanks for making science fun!"

~Mrs. Lopez

"I love it that I don't have to do a thing! I set my kids in front of the program, and later find them excited and working on something new they created themselves. This program is exactly what we needed!"

~Ursula, Santa Barbara, California

"You have been such a fun inspiration for our son Sam, and totally got him fired up to build, connect, explode, invent, test, create, discover, question...
and in a nutshell, get wildly excited about how our physical world behaves through experimentation. Thank you! Thank you! Thank joy!

"You're a blessing and huge contributor to the positive development of our kids' minds and passions. Thanks for all you do and all you are!"

~Jan, San Luis Obispo, California

"I wish I had known about you years ago! I got a science kit and my husband (who is an engineer and works on fighter planes), has been working with my kids since.

"He usually doesn't help my kids, but after watching the DVD, he went to the internet to look something up, then returned to us as said, 'Nope - I tried, but I like the way Aurora explains it best.'

"My kids haven't turned on the TV once this whole weekend - we're just doing experiments together and it's great!"

~Merilyn, Richmond, Virginia

"I am educating my 5y. old daughter and want to send you a big THANK YOU for all you do. Science was a subject I was a bit afraid to have to venture into. But with all your help it has been NO problem.
Thanks again!"

~Dee

"Thank you for truly inspiring my kids. They're so excited to learn more. We downloaded the book and are pouring over its contents. Yeah!!!!"

~Donna, Long Beach, California

"Thank you so much for the science lessons! I had such a great time and it is very fun to learn from someone so knowledgeable."

~Sean, age 12

"You are doing an awesome thing. From talking with many educating moms over the years, science is where we tend to lack in experience, and know how. Even though we find the experiments so much fun to do, we are intimidated by them. Thank you for all that you do."

~Allison A., Co-op

"The kids are enjoying the electricity projects, and my 12 year old has concluded that you know what you are talking about!"

~Tracey S.,
Orlando, Florida

"As a Chemical Engineer I started reading this manual and boy what a joy. You have simplified so much so well. The explanations are great too as they are put in very simple terms. I can't wait to share these with my students. Keep me in mind if you put another of these manuals together."

~Mary, California

"I purchased your Electricity & Robots Kit and my daughter loves it! Thank you!"

~Paula

"My son KJ is having SO much fun!! As soon as we got home he watched the Robots & Electricity Kit video, and has been watching it since. He loves all of the gadgets! Thank you for letting him work with you. He will never forget it."

~Sally, Long Beach, California, CHEA participant

"My son is LOVING the Electricity & Robotics Kit we bought from you, and we've already hit Radio Shack a couple of times to add some new things to try. Thank you!!!"

~Candi