Aaron Maurer - Design Innovative Robots with LEGO SPIKE Prime

Seven creative STEM robotic designs to challenge your mind

Aaron Maurer

BIRMINGHAMMUMBAI

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First published: January 2022

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To my wife, who constantly challenges me to become a better person and for pushing me to dig within myself to believe in what I have to offer to the world.

To my three children, Aiden, Addy, and Ava, who remind me to hold onto my crayons to remember the joys of being a child and living in and embracing the moment. As adults, it is easy to lose sight of the power of play and enjoying the moments.

To all the people who have supported and followed me in my journey. Continue to make the world a better place one brick at a time.

Welcome to this book. I am so excited to have the opportunity to share with you a passion of mine as an educator who has hands-on experience with LEGO, transforming learning and engagement with students; a parent who has spent countless hours building and creating stories with my kids; an Adult Fan of LEGO (AFOL) with my own LEGO collection to fulfill my hobby; and, of course, just someone who loves the energy of the LEGO community and the continuous positive sharing of remarkable ideas.

I have one major goal with this book: I want it to be a permission slip for you to build and make. Sometimes when we read books such as these, we build as suggested in the book and that is the extent of the creative process. Being an educator who has spent time in elementary and middle schools, I have learned that not providing the answer is the true facilitator of creativity. What I have created is a series of builds for you to explore not only the LEGO SPIKE Prime Kit but also the world of smart robots that impact our daily lives.

So, each chapter will explore a smart robot concept along with a model robot to build. However, each build has been designed for you to add your own touch. You will see suggestions and ideas to apply the learning of the chapter to new layers of building. I hope you love the freedom to take the ideas and build your own version. With this permission slip, I cannot wait to see what you create. Make sure you share! Here we go. Let's go explore the new LEGO SPIKE Prime Kit that is now available.

Aaron Maurer, also known as Coffeechug is the STEM lead for 21 school districts in Iowa helping to expand STEM, Computer Science, Makerspace, and Purposeful Play into classrooms K-12. Aaron was also a FIRST LEGO League coach for 8 years with much success working with phenomenal kids.

He has a Master Educator License with endorsements in 5-12 Psychology 163; 5-12 World History 166; 5-12 American History 158; 5-12 Computer Science 278; PK-12 Talented and Gifted 107; 5-8 Middle School Generalist 182; and K-8 Computer Science 277.

Currently, Aaron is a member of ISTE Making It Happen Award; LEGO Education Ambassador and Master Educator; PBS Digital Innovator and All-Star; PITSCO Tag Committee; Microsoft Innovator Educator Expert; Microsoft Innovative Educator Fellow; Global Learning Mentor (formerly Skype Master Teacher); Minecraft Global Mentor; and Makey Makey Ambassador.

Finally, Aaron was a finalist for the Iowa Teacher of the Year in 2014.

You can find more of his work at www.coffeeforthebrain.com.

Khushboo Samkaria (Rana) lives in India with her husband, Vivek, and son, Agastya. She is a certified LEGO Serious Play (LSP) practitioner with more than 8 years of experience working globally with LEGO Education partners and organizing FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) programs. She is devoted to the mission of helping young innovators to understand the real world using an interdisciplinary approach STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math). Since 2011, she has interacted with more than 100,000 kids and adults globally as a part of the FIRST programs. Currently, she is working with various organizations to help them tap their knowledge and ideas using the LSP approach so that they can be the winner in this period of intense change.

Scott Reece holds an Educational Specialist in mathematics with a certification in technology education. His career as a classroom teacher spans 26 years in social studies, mathematics, and technology classrooms. Even before becoming an educator, Scott was working with children through the children's ministry at different churches. His passion is seeing children grow, both spiritually and educationally. Over the years, Scott has become a go-to for technical support both in his school and in his district. Scott also began a relationship with LEGO Education that led to him being recognized as a US Master Educator in 2019. Scott also proudly holds the roles of husband, father, and DeDe (grandpa).