Assumption College
Worcester, Massachusetts 01609
I. Project No. 0106
II. Project Title:
AppaLEGO City: Using LEGO Robotics to Model Intelligent Transportation Systems
III. Principal Investigator:
Linda Hamilton, Instructor, Department of Mathematics, Appalachian Transportation
Institute, Marshall
University, 400 Hal Greer Boulevard, Huntington, WV 25755; Phone: (304)
696-6660; email:
Hamilton@marshall.edu
IV. External Contact:
Dr. Charles W. Estus, Sr., Director, UTC, Assumption College
V. Project Objective:
To teach math and science in grades K-12 using a LEGO model city equipped
for the study of urban traffic
and environmental pollutants.
VI. Project Abstract:
The project is designed to extend successful earlier work utilizing LEGO
robotics to assist students in
learning abstract concepts in K-12 science and math. A high-tech model
city will be built complete with
roads, bridges and traffic incorporating intelligent transportation systems,
using sensor input for traffic
monitoring and control and for measuring environmental pollutants. Using
RoboLab, a system developed
by NASA to control and monitor the Sojourner Rover's positions on Mars,
teachers and students will be
able to drive vehicles, monitor traffic and pollution in classroom visits
on site. Finally, a website will be
created that will give teachers and their students easy access to AppaLEGO
City for use in their
classrooms.
VII. Dates: 1 June 2001 - 31 May 2002
VIII. Total Budget: $5,600.00
IX. Student Involvement:
100+ students ranging in age from three years to fourteen
X. Technology Transfer:
The website created for the project will give access to teachers around
the nation and world. The project
will be modeled at the UTC Projects Conference in May, 2002.
XI. Potential Benefits:
A successful model for teaching abstract science and math concepts to students
K-12 using LEGO
technology, will be used to incorporate the study of urban transportation
issues into teaching math and
science.
XII. TRB Keywords:
surface transportation, environmental effects
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