LEGO WEDO

DESCRIPTION:

Designed for primary school classrooms, the WeDo 2.0 kit teaches students computational
thinking by including programming as an essential part of all projects to give life to models
they have created. The kit is delivered in a storage bin along with sorting trays, labels, a
Smarthub, a Medium Motor, Motion Sensor, a Tilt Sensor, and enough building elements for
two pupils. The accompanying desktop and tablet supported software provides access to
block based programming and includes the WeDo 2.0 Curriculum Pack which includes a
range of lessons and projects linked to the Australian Curriculum.

https://education.lego.com/en-au/products/lego-education-wedo-2-0-core-set/45300#wedo-20-core-set

MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED AGE RANGE:7+

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SAFETY INFORMATION:

Always examine the LEGO WeDo before using. If you find any faults or damage do not use
the LEGO WeDo and contact the supplier immediately.

Mechanical
• Keep fingers, hair, and loose articles of clothing clear of moving parts
• Never pick up the robot while it is moving or any motors are running
• Handle the WeDo with care
• Do not store or use LEGO WeDo in extremely hot or cold environments

Electrical
• Do not operate in a wet environment or with wet hands
• All leads and accessories used should meet the relevant standards and be marked to
show this

Batteries
• Only use zinc-carbon or alkaline batteries with the WeDo and do not mix battery types
or new and used batteries
• Use batteries of the same or equivalent type of those recommended and insert the
correct way round
• Remove batteries before storing

Cleaning
• Always clean hands and surfaces before using the WeDo
• If cleaning of the WeDo is required, use a 70% isopropyl/ethanol solution and cotton
swabs or wipes. Ensure the batteries are disconnected and use the wipe or swab to
gently clean the surface of the WeDo

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INPUTS/SENSORS:

• Button – turns on WeDo to pair to device.

• The Smarthub includes two ports to connect sensors or motors
• Tilt sensor - reports the direction it is tilted within six different positions: tilt this way,
tilt that way, tilt up, tilt down, no tilt, shake.
• Motion sensor - detects changes in distance from an object within its range in three
different ways: Object moving closer, object moving farther away and object
changing position.
• Start on Key Press – Program strings can be written so that all program strings with
the same letter are started at the same time when that letter key is pressed.
• Connectivity to devices using Bluetooth low energy

OUTPUTS/ACTIONS:

• 1 LED Light - Light up the LED on the Smarthub in a specific colour. The colour can be
changed with a numeric input between 0 and 10.
• Sound - The sound is chosen from a list available within the software. You can
choose a sound using a numeric input. Choose sound number 0 to play a sound that
you have recorded yourself.
• Display - display an image, text and/or numbers on the software screen. Images are
chosen from a list available within the software using a numeric input.
• The Medium Motor can be programmed to turn clockwise and counter- clockwise for
a specific amount of time (specified in seconds) and to move at different power
levels. Axles or other LEGO system bricks and other LEGO elements can be attached
to the motor. Base model builds are included in the software to encourage an
exploration of simple machines incorporating motorisation.

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PROCESSING/PROGRAMMING:

LEGO WeDo is programmed using code written and compiled on another device - computer
or tablet. Downloading the program to the LEGO WeDo is completed via Bluetooth low
energy.

Programming software options include:

• WeDo 2.0 – Drag and drop coding based on Scratch. The software includes
curriculum-aligned lesson plans designed to build students’ confidence, which come
in a range of challenge levels and cover science, engineering, maker, and
computational thinking.
• Scratch 2.0 and Scratch 3.0 – drag and drop coding familiar to many students, a
natural next step from the horizontal icon-based block coding of the WeDo app.
Integration possibilities and an online community.
• Tickle – an iPad and iPhone app with vertical text-based block coding which can
control many devices allowing them to interact with each other.
• Tynker – A vertical text-based block coding platform as a natural progression from
the WeDo App. Offers self-paced online courses to learn coding.
• Open Roberta Lab – cloud-based visual programming which connects with the brick
via WiFi and USB cable. Based on the universal programming language NEPO, that
can also be shown as Java, python and C Code.

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TIPS AND HINTS:

• Download the WeDo 2.0 Software or app at LEGOeducation.com/downloads

• Watch the Introduction video on WeDo 2.0 inside your software. Click the play
button on the video in the opening screen
• Read the Teacher Guide at https://education.lego.com/en-au/support/wedo-
2/quickstart-guide You can also find the Teacher’s Guide in your software. Click on
the menu in the top right corner and select Teacher Guide. See the table of contents
to guide you in getting started.
• The WeDo 2.0 Toolbox provides helpful information about things such as teaching
pseudocode and flowcharts, along with the names and roles of programming blocks
and building elements - https://le-www-live-s.legocdn.com/sc/media/files/user-
guides/wedo-2/toolbox/toolbox-en-us-v1-96e832f4ef0e1c99a838ad8744f0dd1c.pdf
• Assign and rotate roles (e.g. driver and navigator) to stop one student “taking over”
• Use the carboard insert to help with sorting pieces in the kit.
• Max and Mia mini figures are the LEGO pieces that ‘disappear’ the most. Check for
these at the end of the session. Ask the students to check their boxes and pockets!
• Students often use the wrong axle size unless shown the 1:1 scale on the card insert.
They can also measure by the number of studs on a LEGO brick.
• Encourage students to rotate their models to match the pictures in the building
guide to assist with correct piece placement
• Point out that the value 10 on the Wait for Block refers to 1 second. Don’t take it for
granted the students understand this. Ask them if 10 equals 1 second what does 20
equal? What does 5 equal?
• The Smarthub will use colour patterns to signal messages:
- Flashing white light: it is waiting for a Bluetooth connection
- Blue light: a Bluetooth connection is established
- Flashing orange light: the power provided to the motor is at its limit

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ACTIVITY IDEAS:

Digital Systems:
• Students create a visual representation, such as a labelled diagram, to explain how
their WeDo digital system works, highlighting inputs, how data is processed and
output.
• Students create and program a cable car, initially using keyboard buttons to control
the direction and speed of motion and then modifying the program to use sensors to
identify when changes in speed or direction are required.
https://education.lego.com/en-us/lessons/maker-middleschool/make-a-cable-car#5-go-make

Data:

• Students create and program a system that allows user input to send messages using
secret codes, as an example of representing data in a different way. Explore existing
systems such as Braille, Morse Code and QR codes and investigate the strengths and
weaknesses of a variety of signal systems for communicating.
https://education.lego.com/en-us/lessons/wedo-2-computational-thinking/send-messages#1-
preparation
• Students explore the use of warning systems for natural disasters and create their
own model to measure relevant data and provide feedback in a user-friendly format.
https://education.lego.com/en-au/lessons/wedo-2-computational-thinking/volcano-alert#1-
preparation

Digital Solutions:
• Students explore the effects of forces on the movement of an object. They will
create and program a robot to participate in a Tug-of-War challenge after
investigating the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces.
https://education.lego.com/en-au/lessons/wedo-2-science/pulling#1-preparation
• Students will design a prototype of a rover that would be ideal for exploring distant
planets.
https://education.lego.com/en-au/lessons/wedo-2-science/space-exploration#1-explore-phase
• Students will design an automatic LEGO floodgate to control water according to
various precipitation patterns.
https://education.lego.com/en-us/lessons/wedo-2-science/prevent-flooding#1-preparation

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Collaboration and Protocols:
• Use a collaborative approach, such as brainstorming to agree upon a class set of
protocols and rules for using technology.
• Complete the integrated getting started projects including exploring the importance
of collaborating during projects as teams pair up to combine with another team’s
rover to move an item from point A to point B.
https://education.lego.com/en-us/lessons/wedo-2-science/getting-started-project-d#1-preparation
• Have students work together in teams to complete the FIRST LEGO League Explore
season where they will build models using WeDo 2.0 and create posters to share
what they have learned.
https://firstaustralia.org/programs/explore/
• Students will explore the safety rules that exist within their community. They will
demonstrate an understanding of the safety features by creating a device to improve
community safety.
https://education.lego.com/en-au/lessons/wedo-2-computational-thinking/city-safety#2-explore-
phase

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