Discovery Solutions & Hints

The book isn't called "Discovery Book" without a reason. The book will help you discover the world of MINDSTORMS on your own. The book gives you all the information you need to make several working robots, but the fun doesn't end there. Right after you learn about a new programming technique, or after you finish experimenting with a robot, you are challenged to try one of the book's Discoveries.

There are 72 programming discoveries and 15 building discoveries in the book. You can see an easy sample programming discovery to the right. There isn't always a wrong or right solution, just give it a try: creativity is the key! These challenges will help you further fire your robot building and programming skills, and, more importantly, allow you to have more fun with your MINDSTORMS kit!

Help and solutions

When you're trying to solve a challenge, it is often helpful to take a look at a good example answer. Therefore, the solutions to some of the discoveries have been made available on this website. Book readers will be able to download these solutions using the menu to the left. Click the according chapter link to find the right solution. More solutions and tips will be posted over time.

Share your ideas with the world!

You're not the only one who will be solving the discoveries. Hundreds of readers around the world will be working on the same challenges. Wouldn't it be cool to share your inventions with all of these people? Yes it is! In fact, readers who find it difficult to solve the discoveries will appreciate your work. Read the next section on this page to learn how you can submit your solution, and it might be posted to the section of official solutions on this site!

How to submit your solution

Are you ready to share your solutions with fellow readers? Then go ahead and follow these steps to make a submission.

1. Solve the Discovery your way.
   • Remember: there is not just one solution, so give it a try.
2. Save your program.
   • In NXT-G, click 'Save as', then 'Browse', and save it where you'll easily find it, like on the desktop.
   • Does your program include extra files like My Blocks or custom sounds? Then go to 'Tools' and click 'Create Pack and Go'. Save this file and that's it!
3. Create photographs of your robot
   • Only if it's a building Discovery, or if you made adjustments to the robot designs.
   • See this page for photo tips.
   • Save the program for your robot as above.
4. Send an email to the author:
   • Give your email a subject like:
     [Discovery Book] Solution of Discovery #14.
   • Include your name or nickname that should be credited on the site.
   • Include all the files decribed in previous steps as attachments to your email.
5. Don't hesitate to email -- whatever your submission is, it will be good!