Workshops

Sumo pits LEGO MINDSTORMS kits against each other in a battle to dominate the ring by pushing or flipping the opponent. In this workshop, attendees will build, program, and test their robots to be ready to do battle in the Saturday competition. A limited number of MINDSTORMS NXT and EV3 kits are available to participants; register to reserve a kit or just show up if you have your own.

Sign up required to use one of our MINDSTORMS kits - 15 available

The kit is on loan to you. We expect it to be fully returned.

Note: We ask that if you have borrowed our kits in prior years that you allow others to have an opportunity to use those kits. Instructors will be looking for familiar faces and working to involve new people if they don't have kits.

This workshop will introduce you to the construction of a module for the Great Ball Contraption. After completing the build of this module, yours can be added to the GBC for the weekend. Instructions will be provided along with discussion of the important features of a GBC module.
 
This year's module was designed by John Brost. Note that it is a larger (double the parts), more complicated build than the past couple of years.

(to actively participate you will need pre-register for kit of parts (limit of 80 kits). Sign up required. Cost $30/kit.
 
(only one person per team should sign up)

Test your LEGO® skills with LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago’s new Master Model Builder! You’ll learn awesome building techniques and see if you can build the strongest bridge of all. Master Model Builder Greg Nuse will bring his awesome LEGO bridge workshop to Kidsworld combining fun while supporting STEM concepts!

Brick 101's own Dave Pickett, will present a 90 minute workshop on LEGO animation ending with a projected mini-film festival of the participants' creations. Bring a smart phone or tablet and some LEGO to animate.

Want to join in the competition but you don't have a car? You can take advantage of the open build time at the derby track to try and create a winner before the competition starts. Parts are limited (especially wheels). So, you can bring your own parts and let the experts help you build a car too! Or, you can show up with your car built and use this time to fine tune it.