Is EV3 a separate sub-theme?

No. The EV3 Core Set (45544-1) and the EV3 Expansion Set (45560-1) are listed directly in the main Mindstorms theme, while RCX, NXT and WeDo each have a sub-theme of their own.

How many sets are in the theme?

89 sets, released between 2000 and 2017.

What is the Green City Challenge Set?

A 2011 set (9594-1) with 1,356 pieces, the second-largest in the theme after the Space Challenge Set.

Mindstorms

Sets: 89
Since: 1998
Newest set: 2017

Classroom robotics in brick form. This theme gathers 89 Mindstorms sets from the education range, released between 2000 and 2017, and branches into the RCX, NXT and WeDo sub-themes.

Sub-themes

Sets per decade

All decades

Sets per year

18 sets from the 2000s

2000s

About Mindstorms

Bricks that can be programmed

At the heart of Mindstorms is an intelligent brick: a small computer that drives motors and reads sensors, running programs written on a PC. Around it sit Technic beams, axles, gears and wheels, so pupils can build a robot, program it and then rebuild it to solve a different task. Building, programming and testing form a loop: if the robot misses its target, pupils change the code or the model and try again. The education sets sit under the Educational and Dacta umbrella and were aimed at schools and teachers.

Generations and sub-themes

The sub-themes follow the hardware. RCX covers the first generation, NXT the second, and WeDo a simpler system for younger children. The EV3 generation appears in the main theme itself: the EV3 Core Set (45544-1) from 2013 has 547 pieces, and the EV3 Expansion Set (45560-1) released the same year adds a further 856. Smaller packs such as the Mindstorms EV3 Workshop Kit (2000425-1, 117 pieces) and the Mindstorms EV3 Element Accessory Pack (2000426-1, 108 pieces) followed in 2013 and 2014.

Challenge sets lead on size

The largest sets in the theme are built around missions. The Space Challenge Set (45570-1) from 2014 has 1,412 pieces, and the Green City Challenge Set (9594-1) from 2011 has 1,356. Earlier years are represented by Mars Exploration (979760-1) from 2003 with 810 pieces and Cities and Transportation (9723-1) from 2000 with 394. If you want to know how these kits are made up, the parts list on each set page shows every element, and it is a handy reference when you plan a robot of your own from spare Technic parts.

FAQ

Is EV3 a separate sub-theme?: No. The EV3 Core Set (45544-1) and the EV3 Expansion Set (45560-1) are listed directly in the main Mindstorms theme, while RCX, NXT and WeDo each have a sub-theme of their own.
How many sets are in the theme?: 89 sets, released between 2000 and 2017.
What is the Green City Challenge Set?: A 2011 set (9594-1) with 1,356 pieces, the second-largest in the theme after the Space Challenge Set.