First NXT challenges
Once a group has a robot assembled have them open the software and work through the first 1-7 challenges in the robot educator common palette and then program the robot to get through courses outlined in blue painters tape on the floor. Make sure that you have some simple courses (like just a straight part and a left turn and right turn) and some harder courses (like a square or S shape). Be sure to make the courses wide enough to walk through. Take videos of the robots going through the courses. Take pictures of them when the robot has succssfully gone through the course (with robot and smiling). If they are having trouble have them "be the robot" and walk the course themselves.
See https://picasaweb.google.com/110718093908238019538/TeacherWorkshopTeachingWRobots?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOantcTageH9EA&feat=embedwebsite#5700843493278153730 for an example of a robot going through a simple course.
If the carpet is too bumpy (textured in the room use the foam core boards for a course instead - see https://picasaweb.google.com/110718093908238019538/February112012LEGORobots?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJbTgZXv0evK2QE&feat=embedwebsite#5708675428637043106
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