STEM Archives - ET Speaks From Home

Nintendo Labo Toy-Con Vehicle Kit Review

Nintendo has just launched their third kit – Toy-Con Vehicle Kit in its Labo series of cardboard constructions for Switch, which is now available to buy from good retailers and online. This kit contains materials to build a variety of customisable cardboard creations including a Car, a Submarine, a Plane, a Pedal, two Keys and Spray Can.

This is another innovative kit cleverly designed to educate while entertaining the children with fun activities/games. They also improve children’s knowledge and understanding of a wide range of topics like STEM. By assembling sheets of cardboard into a variety of shapes called Toy-Con, and combining them with the Nintendo Switch console you can bring them to life!

Project Mc2 Perfume Maker Review

Project Mc2 Perfume Maker is a fancy lookalike laboratory science kit to help your child create their very own perfumes using cosmetic chemistry at home! This is a brand new kit launched this autumn by Netflix original entertainment series show Project Mc2.

Project Mc2 is about a team of super-smart and seriously cool girls who use their science skills to undertake missions for a top-secret organisation. They are real girls with real skills, going full S.T.E.A.M. (that’s science, technology, engineering, art and maths) ahead to save the world. With a range of fashion dolls and S.T.E.A.M focused accessories, Project Mc2 continues to offer smart and savvy science-inspired play like Ultimate Makeover Bag, Ultimate Slumber Party, Ultimate Spy Bag and many more.

GraviTrax Expansion Review

Last month, we were so excited to introduce you to the GraviTrax Starter set from Ravensburger. This is a STEM-inspired track system that combines the classic marble run and erector set with modern twists! It allows fans to build their own superb tracks, release the gravity spheres and watch the forces of nature work to create an action-filled adventure!

Today, we are here to introduce you three of their expansion add-on packs to be used with their Starter set: Building Extension, Action Hammer and Action Magnetic Cannon. GraviTrax is suitable for ages eight years and above.

GraviTrax Starter Set Review

Introducing you to this outstanding interactive STEM track system from Ravensburger’s GraviTrax that is gravity defying! Now fans can use their imagination to build their own superb tracks, release the gravity spheres and watch the forces of nature work to create an action-filled adventure! This STEM system (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) is an ideal set to teach children about gravity, magnetism, kinetic energy and fun. It is suitable for ages eight years and above.

Nintendo Labo Toy-Con Variety Kit Review

Nintendo Labo is a brand new groundbreaking set of physical toys (in the form of DIY cardboard pieces), partnered with software/games. This new line of interactive make, play and discover experiences are designed to educate while entertaining the children with fun activities/games. They also improve children’s knowledge and understanding of a wide range of topics like STEM. By assembling sheets of cardboard into a variety of shapes called Toy-Con, and combining them with the Nintendo Switch console you can bring them to life!

Meccano Rally Racer Set Review

This is another amazing Engineering & Robotics set from Meccano, the 10-in-1 model Rally Racer with Meccablock Motor! The set comes with 159 durable metal parts, 2 real tools, a Meccablock motor and easy-to-follow instructions for three models. There are a total of 10 different builds packed into one set! The rest of the seven models can be found online only. It is suitable for aged eight and above. This is a novice difficulty level 2, with a construction time of 1-3 hours and is an ideal starter-kit for new builders.

Inspiring girls to consider STEM careers: Star Wars to the rescue!

I told you before how important I think it is to help our daughters consider a different area for their future.

Another great way to get girls involved is by inspiring them with strong female role models. EDF Energy is partnering with Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which is now live in cinemas launches in UK cinemas today, with inspirational lead female characters such as Rey and Rose.

We were thrilled to receive the EDF Energy Pretty Curious pack, which includes

an amazing littleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit so Ms C can show off her STEM skills,
and a Pretty Curious Google cardboard headset to watch the 360˚ virtual reality film!

Tips for Parents to get their Girls into a STEM Career

During my school days, I never had an opportunity to learn about Technology and Engineering. All the girls at my old school were made to learn home economics like sewing and cookery, whilst the boys were given the opportunity to build their own stuff. I recall a teacher told me that I should choose nursing rather than accounting as it is more suitable for a girl.

The truth is, I always scored the highest for my accounting and maths subjects in my class but I was never encouraged to pursue it. I was never encouraged to look outside the socially acceptable roles and I want to see that changed.

I want my daughter to be given an opportunity to question and know those important skills. As a parent, I want STEM to be made accessible to girls.

STEM should be gender neutral and everyone should have equal opportunities to be able to learn and develop their knowledge. This is why I was especially interested and excited when I first heard about EDF Energy Pretty Curious programme. It focuses on raising awareness of the under-representation of girls in STEM. The programme aims to inspire girls to pursue STEM-related subjects at school and in their future careers. Did you know just one in four people working in core STEM roles in the UK are women?

Kurio Tab Advance Review

Kurio Tab Advance is a premium tablet using an Android OS platform (6.0 Marshmallow) for children. This 7 inch HD screen tablet is fully surrounded with an anti-shock bumper. It also has blue light protection (software to help protect the users eyes), 16 GB of memory, new weekly educational app content delivery, pre-loaded with 40 apps, games & ebooks (including Motion Gaming), front & back camera and video recorder. It has a micro SD card slot giving users the option to add up to 32 GB of memory.

Meccano MeccaSpider Review

Meccano MeccaSpider is an interactive robotic creepy crawly spider that is made from space-age materials. It can be controlled using built-in buttons, or with the free Meccano app! It also comes with built-in games. It is suitable for aged 10 and above.

Tech Will Save Us – Mover Kit Review

Tech Will Save Us – Mover Kit is a great way to introduce children to programming their own designs and invent trillions of ways to bring the motion sensor, compass, LED lights of the wearable to life. The Mover Kit blends fun and imagination with the creative and technical STEM skills kids need for their future. This is suitable for aged 8 and above.

Meccano Lamborghini Huracan Spyder Review

This Meccano Lamborghini Huracan Spyder set comes with 259 durable metal parts, including rubber tires, stickers, pose-able steering, 2 ergonomic tools and easy-to-follow instructions. It is suitable for aged 10 and above. Mr C was so happy when he saw this set. This is one of his many dream cars he would like to own. I think he might just realise his dream if he sticks with models rather than a real one!

Letterbox Lab Investigate Box Review

Letterbox Lab is a monthly subscription that arrives through your letterbox containing everything your child needs to start playing with science. It is a great way to encourage and enrich your child with this easy to use kit, and help your child to explore the world and make science fun.

Interplay Electric Stunt Buggy Review

The Electric Stunt Buggy from Interplay is an easy to build model car for children aged eight and above. This buggy is from the Technokit range which helps your child to practise and learn about electrical and mechanical principles.

Hexbug VEX Robotics Hexcalator Ball Machine

Hexbug have a VEX Robotics range which is a brilliant set of STEM products that allows children to build cool robotics. Each kit comes with two alternate builds and each is fully functioning.

Today, I am showing you this sophisticated Hexcalator Ball Machine which was inspired by cutting edge medical devices and uses a hand crank to power 3 hexagonal indexing wheels to transport balls uphill where they are released onto the return ramp.