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NXT-G is essentially a simplified version of LabVIEW customized for use with LEGO® MINDSTORMS®. As such, it is great tool to introduce middle school students to programming and to teach them logical thinking and basic algorithms.

LabVIEW for LEGO® MINDSTORMS® is a more sophisticated and advanced software environment for programming the NXT, developed for high school students to use with the LEGO® Education robotics platform in classrooms or after-school robotics competitions. The software builds on the core functionality and capabilities of NXT-G and adds unique features including:

• NXT Robot Project to incorporate lesson plan content and share student results
• NXT Schematic Editor to visually configure and test motor and sensor connections
• NXT Remote Control Editor to visually configure and control the NXT using a joystick or the keyboard
• New and improved NXT tools:
  • Data Viewer - datalogging and analysis
  • Sensor Viewer - view live sensor data
  • Remote Display - display NXT screen and buttons on the monitor
  • Piano Player - play sounds and songs on the NXT
  • Picture Editor - create images to display on the NXT
  • NXT Terminal - manage programs and memory on the NXT

This software option is ideal for teachers who just want to teach robotics with the LEGO Education platform and don’t need the full feature set offered in LabVIEW for Education.  LabVIEW for LEGO® MINDSTORMS® is offered at a lower price-point than LabVIEW for Education, however it does not provide built-in support for data acquisition equipment such as Vernier SensorDAQ and NI myDAQ.

LabVIEW for Education is a full-feature version of LabVIEW and the most advanced programming option available for high school classrooms. The software works with LEGO® MINDSTORMS®, too, and offers functionality for advanced robot control, plus tools for acquiring, analyzing and presenting data using widely available classroom lab instruments.  LabVIEW for Education 2010 (releasing summer 2011) will include all of the features available in LabVIEW for LEGO® MINDSTORMS®, plus provide a complete upgrade on the features from LabVIEW Education Edition 2009 and add new modules and functionality, including:

• LabVIEW Vernier Toolkit for SensorDAQ, LabQuest, and LabQuest Mini
• 8 myDAQ Software Instruments
  • Digital Multimeter
  • Oscilloscope
  • Function Generator
  • Bode Analyzer
  • Dynamic Signal Analyzer
  • Arbitrary Waveform Generator
  • Digital Reader
  • Digital Writer
• Fischertechnik Toolkit
• NI Vision Builder
• NI Vision Development Module

A few reasons stand out. C and Java are text-based languages, where programs are written in very specifically formatted lines of alphanumeric characters. LabVIEW, on the other hand, uses G, a graphical language where programs are built by assembling and ordering visible graphic elements onscreen. Quite simply, this makes it much easier for beginning programmers—teachers and students alike—to visualize how programming input affects output.

It’s also important to note that unlike C and Java, LabVIEW is more than a programming language. It’s a complete engineering environment ready to use with external hardware, like robotics controllers and lab instruments. It also incorporates a complete set of math and analysis libraries that support teaching the math and science principles underlying in-class projects.

Finally, LabVIEW’s G language is based on a computer science concept called structured dataflow. Many find that structured dataflow is a more natural way to represent physical systems, particularly systems with sensors and actuators that are common to school science projects. And as intelligent devices become more common in our world, it is expected that proficiency in dataflow programming will only become more valuable to science and engineering students.

Browse the K12Lab support section. To learn about any training events that may be happening near you, view our event schedule.

No. Students can learn a lot just by writing and running their LabVIEW programming projects on the computer. And LabVIEW is a great resource to help students visualize math concepts. You can find software-only lesson plans if you filter by hardware on the Lesson Plans page. On the other hand, using LabVIEW with building kits or lab instruments can greatly expand your creative teaching possibilities. To take advantage of the full features of the LabVIEW for LEGO MINDSTORMS version, you will need the LEGO MINDSTORMS Education set.

There sure are. Options are organized in eight different curriculum categories, including engineering, robotics, biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics and computer science. Go to our Lesson Plans section to view lessons and filter by your criteria.

The system requirements are the same for both the LabVIEW for LEGO MINDSTORMS and LabVIEW for Education versions of the software.

Microsoft Windows 7/Vista/XP/2000

• 2.4 GB of disk space
• 1 GB RAM recommended (256 MB minimum)

Mac OS X 10.4 or Later

• 1.4 GB of disk space
• 1 GB RAM recommended (256 MB minimum)

LabVIEW for Education and LabVIEW for LEGO MINDSTORMS are licensed for educational purposes at secondary schools. Secondary schools are typically defined as grades 9–12. The software is available for purchase as a single-seat or school-wide site license.  Contact your local reseller for pricing and licensing details.

The NI FIRST Community provides a wealth of resources for FTC and FRC teams, including software downloads, support forums, example programs, and training videos on LabVIEW and cRIO.

Yes. There are numerous grant opportunities you can apply for that can help you secure funding to purchase LabVIEW and associated hardware for your classroom.  Here are some websites that have helpful grant-hunting information:

• LEGO Education
• Edutopia