MINDS-i Foundations 4x4 Robotics Lab

The MINDS-i STEM Robotics FOUNDATIONS LAB – 4x4 introduces students to robotics through hands-on building, programming, testing, and problem-solving. Working collaboratively through the Engineering Design Process, students explore how mechanical, electrical, and programming concepts work together in a complete robotic system.

Students begin with foundational robotics concepts and progress into mechanical systems, force and motion, Arduino® programming, sensors, servos, and autonomous robotics. The modular MINDS-i platform encourages students to modify their designs, test ideas, collect data, troubleshoot problems, and improve their solutions.

• 90 hours of hands-on curriculum
• Seven curriculum units
• Designed for 3–5 students per lab
• Mechanical, electrical, and software engineering concepts
• Arduino® programming, sensors, and servos
• Autonomous obstacle avoidance and line following
• Hands-on activities and culminating project

STEM Integrated Robotics Curriculum

The 90-hour Foundations curriculum integrates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through real-world robotics applications. Students develop technical skills while strengthening critical thinking, collaboration, communication, data analysis, and engineering problem-solving.

Seven Curriculum Units

1. Introduction to MINDS-i – Explore robotics, the MINDS-i platform, and the student performance development process.
2. Design Engineering – Investigate engineering inquiry, data, components, and simple machines.
3. Variables of Force & Motion – Explore force, motion, gear ratios, speed, torque, friction, and inertia.
4. Software Programming, Sensors & Servos – Develop programming skills while working with the microcontroller, servos, radio control, ultrasonic sensing, and line-following sensors.
5. Autonomous Robotics – Apply programming and sensor concepts to autonomous obstacle avoidance and line following.
6. Mechanical & Structural Engineering – Explore levers, cams, structural design, robotic arms, and end-of-arm tooling.
7. Culminating Project – Apply the skills developed throughout the course to a final robotics challenge.

What's Included

Each Foundations LAB supports a small group of 3–5 students and combines the 4x4 robotic platform with the components and measurement tools needed to investigate mechanical, electrical, programming, and autonomous robotics concepts.

• 4x4 Robot 3-in-1 Kit with electronics
• Arduino Autonomous Upgrade Module
• 250-piece Basic Construction Set
• Rotating Connector Set and Screw Adapter Kit
• Servo linkage kits and metal gear servos
• QTI line-following sensors
• Ultrasonic sensor
• Speed controller
• Battery and DC motor
• Radio transmitter and receiver
• Digital multimeter
• Optical tachometer
• Torque meter
• Catapult support materials
• Storage system
• Instructions

From mechanical design and force and motion to programming and autonomous navigation, the MINDS-i Foundations LAB gives students a hands-on introduction to the interconnected systems that make robotics work.

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