"This is cool!" my daughter exclaimed after trying Botley, the new, adorable blue and green coding robot from Learning Resources. And she's right! Botley is a cool {engaging & fun} way for children five and up to learn hands-on coding. Even better, Botley does not require any other devices-- NO smartphone or tablet required. What's more, I love the growth mindset opportunities like failure and … [Read more...]
13 Standout STEM Engineering and Invention Picture Books
Want to find picture books that inspire engineering, tinkering, and invention in kids? Read one or all of these engaging-themed books. You'll love how they show the STEM concepts in such a positive light. And, I bet they'll put some new ideas in your child's mind. Ideas like inventing their own wonderful something... Standout STEM Engineering and Invention Picture Books Magnolia Mudd … [Read more...]
Best STEM (STEAM) Chapter Books for Kids
I'm so excited to see more STEM and STEAM chapter books (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). The stories on today's list make STEM enticing to readers. If it isn't already, that is. Whether or not your kids are even interested in STEM, see what develops after reading one of the book on this list. Maybe an interest will grow? I've divided this into two sections: beginning … [Read more...]
The Coolest STEM Gifts for Kids for 2017
If you're shopping for 2017 Christmas or other holiday gifts for kids, include a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) gift or two. These do double duty-- they're fun and educational! I've found the hottest (new) STEM toys you can give as gifts to kids ages 2 - 12. See last year's top STEM gifts here. Find cool stocking stuffers here. And all my 2017 gift ideas HERE. Also … [Read more...]
Introduce Preschoolers to STEAM with LEGO Education’s STEAM Park
Get preschoolers excited about STEAM topics with the motivating new LEGO® Education STEAM Park Kit with DUPLO bricks. This kit develops a preschooler's skills in science, technology, engineering, art, and math through play and hands-on activities. Not to mention, it gives they an early, positive experience with these important STEAM topics. Introduce Preschoolers to STEAM with LEGO Education's … [Read more...]
STEAM Play With American Girl Dolls
Get your imaginative kids to incorporate pretend doll play, specifically with American Girl dolls, with technology, art, and writing -- a STEAM activity -- by making a stop motion movie of your dolls. Here's how. . . STEAM Play with American Girl Dolls First, make a plan and write a script. (The A in STEAM.) JJ, my 12-year old, LOVES her American Girl dolls. She wanted to showcase two specific … [Read more...]
What’s So Important About STEM: A Chat with Hank Green
You probably know Hank Green of The Vlog Brothers and a ton of other cool nerdy sites (NerdFighteria being one). We spoke last week about what parents need to know about STEM, STEM careers, and fostering a love of inquiry. Green is currently partnering with Emerson whose whole goal is to try to figure out how to create the next generation of who they can hire. They're looking for engineers and … [Read more...]
Kids Love Sphero’s SPRK+ for Creative STEAM Learning
Disclosure: I’ve partnered with Sphero to write this article. #sponsored #beyondcode Your kids can do SO MUCH with Sphero’s new app-enabled robot that inspires not just coding but also learning STEAM topics in creative ways. SPRK+ from Sphero caught my kids' attention from the get-go and held it as they began to explore the various learning possibilities with it. This is creative technology … [Read more...]
8 Fascinating STEM Picture Books
STEM picture books introduce young children to science, technology, engineering, and math. Not only that, some of these picture books actually teach the STEM concepts which is big fun within a story. 8 Fascinating STEM Picture Books I Lost My Sock! A Matching Mystery by P.J. Roberts, illustrated by Elio Help Fox and Ox find Fox's missing sock. Fox tries to describe his sock exactly -- it's … [Read more...]
Big Hit For Kids: PlayWell LEGO Engineering Party
PlayWell gave us an afternoon of FUN with a LEGO-inspired engineering party. Designed for kids ages 5 - 14, we took advantage of the age range, inviting both boys and girl friends that were 9-, 10-, and 12- years old to join my daughters who are 12 and 15. I loved the instructor, how well the class was organized, the trial and error involved in the kids' projects, the engineering and design … [Read more...]
Basher Science Games for Kids
If you haven't read the Simon Basher science books, you'll LOVE their quirky and entertaining style which is just perfect for kid readers. This book series recently launched science games for kids with bonus super cute collectible figurines. The goal is to playfully interest and educate more kids in STEM, particularly science, especially ages 10 - 14. So far the Basher Science … [Read more...]
Kids’ STEM Holiday Gift Guide 2016
Since you want to encourage your kids in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), my first holiday gift guide is new and awesome STEM (and STEAM) gifts (toys and kits) for 2016! I'm including building with engineering so all the building blocks and building kits are on this list, too. See last year's STEM Gift Guide here. Kids' STEM Holiday Gift Guide 2016 Lauri Toys … [Read more...]