I’ve been researching a science/technology project for Aine’s 2nd grade class and came across these wonderful resources many which would make terrific Christmas presents. They are designed to engage kids of all stripes not just the engineering types:
•? Scratch (downloadable for kids program offered by MIT allows kids to make their own video games): http://scratch.mit.edu/ FREE!
•? Make Magazine: http://makezine.com/ ( Note: this magazine was developed in a collaboration with MIT when they discovered that many entering freshman had never built anything Real (non-virtual). It’s filled with step-by-step directions for projects that kids can make using stuff you can mostly get at your local hardware store. Annual subscription for4 Volumes, $34.95
•? Pico Cricket: http://www.picocricket.com/order.php (Other project that was developed in collaboration with MIT. Your child can build lots of different projects with this and it teaches kids basic programming skills. ) $ 250.00 per kit
•? Solar Car Klutz kit: http://www.klutz.com/catalog/product/3108 , price $21.95
•? Lego Crazy Action contraptions http://www.klutz.com/catalog/product/1240, Can construct 16 different contraptions with this kit price $21.95
•? Extra Bricks for Lego Crazy Action contraptions http://www.klutz.com/catalog/product/1241 $12.95
•? Magnetic Action Klutz kids http://www.klutz.com/catalog/product/3103 $12.95
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hello,
Have you tried some interactive toy like Pleo Dinosaur from UGOBE Life Forms? I think this could be an exciting, unique, yet interactive top christmas gift, exactly what you need. Pleo Dinosaur is ok for 2nd grade kids, and right now it’s selling a great prices on Amazon…
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PicoCrickets and Scratch are going to need some adult intervention. I have a fairly a technically adept 7 year old boy and have introduced him to PicoCrickets but he isn’t ready to begin programming them by himself yet. My 5th grader is really now just getting there. Great choices, but be prepared that it is a “we” activity.
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My initial impetus for PicoCrickets was to do a group project with may daughter and the neighborhood kids to create some special effects that would be displayed outside my house for Halloween, but didn’t hear about PicoCrickets in time. I’m planning to do this instead next year, but will probably start it as workshop event in the fall.
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Very usefull post.
Thanks.
P.S. I like your writing style.