We have completed our first year of using LEGO NXT RoboticsTM for teaching fundamental engineering skills and concepts to second semester freshmen. The goals of this course include establishing collegiality among the students through teams and project-based learning; building concepts of engineering problem analysis and design; and, reinforcing fundamental skills of engineering problem solving with appropriate tools (e.g. software).

Through this past academic year, students have actively participated in the course design and modification, working to strengthen the link between use of the LEGO robotics kits and analogies to chemical engineering problems and processes.

We will report on successes and failures and future improvements to the course with related emphases on ties to chemical engineering.