STEM Archives - ET Speaks From Home

National Geographic STEM Kits Review

This half term, we have been busy excavating and learning all about shark teeth and the precious gemstones thanks to these National Geographic STEM educational kits from Bandai. These kits are a great hit in this household and have added to our ever growing collection!

What I like about these kits is that they provide genuine items and not those cheap copies that you sometimes find. Both my children were so excited as both of them love collecting shark teeth and rocks. Whenever we visit the Sealife Centre or a museum, they both like to buy these types of souvenirs!

Haynes Build Your Own V8 Engine Giveaway

This Christmas, I would like to introduce you to this ultimate gift for car enthusiasts and budding petrol heads! You get to build cool working engines featuring real engine roars with the authentic Haynes Build Your Own Engine sets. The models are the ultimate gifts for dads and petrol heads – ideal for the man who has it all.

Botley The Coding Robot Review

Botley is a dynamic coding robot that introduces children to the very basic form of coding and programming. This coding robot is from Learning Resource, a company who believe in creating a quality and fun product for children! Botley The Coding Robot is suitable for aged five to nine years old. This well-built inspirational robot is much-loved in this household! It is easy to operate and fun to play with!

Magformers Creator Set Review

Magformers have been around since 2001 and they are recognised globally as a leader in STEM toys and educational products, with learning and 3D brain development through play at its core. This year, this multiple award-winning brand was officially approved by STEM.org.

MIND Designer Robot Review

MIND Designer is an innovative intelligent robot that introduces children to simple coding and design. It guides your children through the process of learning mathematics, arithmetic and geometry. This is a great first start up robot for young children aged seven onwards. What I like about this set is that the robot is ready to play straight out of the box.

Meccano Formula 1 Ferrari Review

This Meccano Formula 1 Ferrari kit comes with 362 durable metal parts, including stickers, pose-able steering, 2 ergonomic tools and easy-to-follow instructions. Mr C was so happy when he saw this Ferrari SF71H kit. As an avid fan of Formula 1, he loves everything to do with the cars and the racing so he was excited to start building as soon as he got it.

STEM Activity Books from Carlton Books

STEM is so important for everyone because it pervades every part of our lives. We are so lucky to have a better understanding of STEM and have greater opportunities to explore the world than what the older generation had.

We were so excited to have received these STEM activity books from Carlton Books for my children. These four books are STEM Activity: Sensational Science, STEM Activity: Terrific Technology, STEM Activity: Extreme Engineering and STEM Activity: Amazing Maths.

Clementoni RoboMaker Pro Review

Clementoni RoboMaker Pro is a robot making kit that introduces you to robotics and coding. It consists of four different types of play sections. First, you learn how to build five different types of intelligent robots with full instructions through their free app and then learn how to program them through 10 guided activities. You then create and program your own robots and bring the incredibly intelligent robot to life. This is suitable for aged 10 and above.

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!