About the Construction Project

An Overview - Great inventors like Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell started with simple ideas that solved problems and improved the quality of life. Today's houses are the perfect playground for young minds. Right at this moment gadgets and gizmos galore are being developed by clever thinkers throughout the world. This project has been designed to exercise creativity, teach the value of teamwork, integrate the use of technology and increase understanding of engineering concepts. Designing "Smart Homes" will help to build smart students. This is an invitation to participate in a fun collaborative construction project.

Building Plans - Imagine a planned community made up of innovative homes. Each home contains a room designed by students to showcase a spectacular new invention. The inventions range from practical to fanciful. Thermostats are set with timers, robotic vacuums clean the rugs and lights are turned on and off at the snap of fingers. Innovative ideas abound in this 21st century neighborhood of "Smart Homes" and there is no end to the possibilities.

The Construction Crews - Teachers and other educational professionals are invited to form teams. Invite a few students or include an entire class and join the fun! Read the rules below and then register for an account to get started building right away.

Rules for Real Estate Development

• Each participating "construction crew" or team must consist of an adult team sponsor and a group of students. Typical teams will consist of one educator and 2-6 students or a teacher and an entire class. Sponsors may enlist the assistance of other professionals and/or parents. Each individual sponsor may coach one or more teams.
• Each team must register online via an adult sponsor by February 1st. in order to participate in the current school year's project.
• Completed team projects and supporting materials must be submitted online on or before April 1st. of the current school year and to be considered for web publication.
• A signed and mailed media release postmarked by April 1st. is required.
• Each team must develop a single invention using the materials found in a LEGOs Mindstorms NXT Kit along with NXT software. While the kit should be used to form the core of the design additional building materials and other sensors are encouraged.
• The goal of the project is to develop collaboration rather than competition. Prizes will not be offered. Instead, promising completed projects will be recognized and accepted for display on the "Smart Home" website in the spring. Award certificates will be available for download and may be printed by all sponsors.

Structuring a Building Schedule - Sponsors should register before February. 1st. 2006 of the current school year to get started. The sequence below provides guidance.

1. Schedule team meeting dates, discuss problems and brainstorm solutions.
2. Conduct research as necessary.
3. Determine the nature of the invention and its location within the house.
4. Create a simple diagram and/or floor plan.
5. Determine a material list and assemble materials.
6. Construct the LEGOs iinvention and create a program using NXT software.
7. Create a PDF document from the project's program file.
8. Take photographs and/or video of the project.
9. Submit completed project and all supporting materials by April 1st.
   (description, photos/video, program, diagram, media release)
10. Print Certificates for team members.
    
    For more details, ideas and templates... Visit our model home!