Subject:
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Re: New Civil Engineer - Lego vs Meccano debate
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.loc.uk, lugnet.mediawatch
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Date:
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Thu, 26 Jul 2001 19:29:44 GMT
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Viewed:
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1005 times
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In lugnet.loc.uk, Simon Bennett writes:
> The publishers of New Civil Engineer have just emailed me to ask if I would
> like to contribute 300 words and a mug shot to their 'Debate' page.
> Normally this involves two eminent engineers making a stand on some
> thrilling engineering subject. Next week it may be one eminent engineer,
> and me, holding forth on whether Meccano or Lego is best used in schools to
> interest children in Civils. • <snip>
> I am definitely going to need help here... please?
Simon,
I quickly wrote down some thoughts and ideas for the 300 word debate. Please
use this (use exact phrases if you like) if you find it useful:
The use of LEGO bricks to demonstrate civil engineering concepts has many
distinct advantages.
* DACTA- educational division- readily available basic parts and pre-made
teaching guides
* Pieces are made of plastic- no rusting; Sections are thick- no warping or
bending in normal use
* Structures are easily assembled and disassembled without the need for
tools. (no bolts, but pins and axles still function like bolts and thus
demonstrates the concept) This allows for quick and effective demonstrations.
* LUGNET- online support and communication about LEGO
* Wide range of parts available- Many basic members available in different
lengths, colors, shapes, etc.
* Excellent assortment of mechanical elements available (gears, pulleys,
wheels, chains, shocks, pneumatic cylinders and pumps)
* Excellent assortment of electronic elements available (3 types of motors,
wire connectors, switches, programmable electronic controls and
sensors(robotics))
NOTE: although mech. and elect. components are not viewed as "Civil" type
stuff, no structure is complete without them. At the very least, their
existence suggests mechanical and electrical engineering students can
interact with the civils to build realistic models.
From recent discussions, it seems the Meccano biased people are older and are
more familiar with the old days (20~30 years ago) of Lego. Lego parts have
since advanced greatly and offer so much more than the basic 2x4 brick (i.e.
people think of "bricks", not beams with holes, gears, motors, etc.).
Along the same lines, I think the stigma attached to Lego is that it's just a
simple child's toy. For this argument, we need to get people to think of Lego
as somthing other than little bricks and wheels and small smiling figures.
Again, I think the best argument is to show examples and an inventory of
parts. This is somewhat hard to do in a text-only letter. Give a list of
websites to show good examples. List LUGNET, Technica, Pitsco-Dacta, as a
few.
If anyone else has ideas on what Simon should include, please post them to
help him out. If you can edit or improve what I jotted down, please post it.
T. J.
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