Under the guidance of their teachers and more than 150 NI classroom volunteers, students have created robots that sort recyclables, capture billy goats, and rescue children from evil pirates using modern engineering software along with familiar LEGO building blocks. Each of these innovative designs will be on display Saturday at RoboLab Mania, an event NI hosts annually to celebrate student achievement with engineering and computer technology.

The combination of software based on NI's LabVIEW graphical software and LEGO building blocks lies at the core of RoboLab, a unique interactive learning tool that teaches computer and engineering skills. These are the same skills design engineers worldwide use to develop everything from next- generation computers to safer cars. Because RoboLab software runs on standard computers already in the classroom, teachers can find creative ways to work RoboLab lessons into their existing curriculum.

"RoboLab is a fun, creative way to learn fundamental engineering and science concepts," said James Truchard, NI President and CEO. "We hope this program inspires students to continue honing their problem-solving skills well beyond the classroom and into their professional careers."

Examples of this year's RoboLab models include Trash Can Man, a robot that recognizes recyclable materials; an automated draw bridge inspired by The Three Billy Goats Gruff that captures unsuspecting billy goats; and a motorized crane that helps Peter Pan rescue children from Captain Hook.

Linking computer programming and robotics to these familiar childhood stories was one way Rebecca Ancira, a fourth-grade teacher at Murchison Elementary, found to integrate RoboLab into her lesson plans. Ancira said students wrote reports to go along with the construction and programming of their robotic models. They set aside time at regular intervals over a two- month period to work on their projects.

"RoboLab interests students to the point that they are willing to try and try again," she said. "It really does inspire high-level thinking, and any child in the classroom can do it."

Ancira's students represent the Pflugerville school district. Other area districts participating in RoboLab Mania include Austin, Lake Travis, and Round Rock.

About RoboLab

RoboLab is the result of a partnership among NI, Tufts University, and LEGO Dacta, the educational arm of LEGO. Students control their inventions through a programmable LEGO brick that runs the software based on NI LabVIEW. Professional engineers and scientists around the world use LabVIEW in a wide range of applications, from making scientific measurements in space to designing adaptive cruise control systems in next-generation automobiles.

About NI

NI leverages commercial technologies, such as industry-standard computers and the Internet, to deliver customer-defined measurement and automation solutions. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, NI has more than 2,900 employees and direct operations in more than 37 countries. NI increases the productivity of engineers and scientists worldwide by delivering easy-to- integrate software and modular hardware. In 2001, the company sold products to more than 24,000 different companies in more than 60 countries around the world. For the past three consecutive years, FORTUNE magazine has named NI one of the 100 best companies to work for in America.

LabVIEW(TM) and NI(TM) are trademarks of National Instruments. Other product and company names listed are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.