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A supply store for people who want to build robots, electronic gadgets, kinetic art or anything else that moves, beeps or flashes. | |
Gifts for Students 8 to 11 Years Old (Grades 3 to 5) Section
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As kids get older they need more challenges. This includes larger sets so they can build more complex models. It also includes different kinds of sets so they can explore different geometries, materials and fasteners. As they get older they should become a bit more serious about their building. When you see that they can stay focused for extended periods of time and can treat their building materials with care, it is time to let them start building with motors and tools.
Motors add new excitement to building that may have started to become boring. They also teach new lessons in the science of mechanics. Constructions methods that worked great for static models often lead to models that fall apart when the motor is turned on. Encourage kids to look at the point of failure, think about the forces that cause the problem and then invent a different way of building that solves the problem.
The use of tools is one of the most significant unique characteristics of human beings. Very few things in our modern world could be produced without tools. Using tools requires an increased level of hand-eye coordination, a high level of fine motor skills and a certain level of maturity. If you misplace a brick you probably have many more to take its place and might not worry too much about the problem. If you misplace your tool you probably have to stop building until you find it. That's an important lesson to learn.
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 | AM/FM Radio Kit This kit contains everything you need to build your own AM/FM radio. Its easy, fun and safe. The easy-to-read Illustrated manual shows you how to build the radio and explains the basics of radio theory. Can be the start of a great science fair project. Manufacturer: MX. Manufacturer's Part Number: MX-901AF. More Product Details ... | ||||||||||||
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 | Motor & Generator Kit This kit contains everything you need to build a working electric generator and motor. While building you will learn how these basic electric components work and practice your mechanical building skills with basic hand tools. The two kits can then be used together to conduct a number of simple experiments. Can be the start of a great science fair project. Manufacturer: MX. Manufacturer's Part Number: MX-902T. More Product Details ... | ||||||||||||
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 | Electric Motor / Generator Set Explore the wonders of electricity by building a motor/generator that actually powers a light bulb. Kit includes: disc, latch and neodymium magnets, compass, wire, sand paper, spring, paper clips, pre-drilled wood block, iron cores, nuts, nails, screws, bolts, light emitting diode (LED), plastic plates and tubes and experiment and project book. Manufacturer: DOWLING. Manufacturer's Part Number: 731101. More Product Details ... | ||||||||||||
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 | Physics Discovery Introduction to mechanical physics With Physics Discovery, you can build 12 models and then conduct experiments with the models to learn about forces and simple machines. Each model demonstrates a fundamental idea in mechanical physics. For example, you can build a balance scale to learn about lever arms, a freight elevator to learn about pulleys, a bicycle to learn about wheels, a motion picture machine to learn about centripetal and centrifugal forces, and a transmission to learn about gears. Physics Discovery is a smaller, introductory companion to our best-selling Physics Workshop kit. It has different building projects and experiments, but parts that are compatible with those in Physics Workshop and Physics Solar Workshop. This kit includes more than 100 building pieces. The 32-page book offers illustrated instructions for building projects and experiments. Manufacturer: TK. Manufacturer's Part Number: 626914. More Product Details ... | ||||||||||||
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 | Tekton Fire Station Building Set Build a fire station for your Girder and Panel city! This brick fire station is 1/87 scale of the real thing and looks like many existing fire stations built in the early 1900s in the United States. Perfect to house your HO scale fire trucks and ambulances. The fire station, once constructed, measures approximately 12 inches wide, 9 inches deep, and 6.5 inches tall. The set contains over 100 pieces. The kit comes in a 10"x8"x3" plastic storage box. Manufacturer: Bridge Street Toys. Manufacturer's Part Number: 1010FIRE105. More Product Details ... | ||||||||||||
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 | Snap Circuits Jr. Electronics Learning Kit This is a really fun kit that lets kids snap circuits together before they have the fine motors skills and attention span needed for either soldering or solderless breadboards. Most kids really enjoy the ability to make their own circuits that buzz, light up, whirl or send flying saucers into the air. These are also great demonstration devices for teachers introducing basic electronic theory. Many students get lost in the translation from neat schematic diagrams to the wire maze of normal circuit building. With this kit you can build and demonstrate circuits that physically look like the schematic before proceeding to messy breadboarding. Manufacturer: ELENCO. Manufacturer's Part Number: SC-100. More Product Details ... | ||||||||||||
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 | Tekton Tower Building Set Start your city with this eye-catching office tower. Brilliant blue side panels and blue columns and beams make a striking office building. Easy-to-follow plans are included for three different structures. Build a hospital, a hotel, or a department store. Your imagination is the limit. Combine this set with other Girder and Panel sets to make an entire city! This set contains over 250 pieces. Manufacturer: Bridge Street Toys. Manufacturer's Part Number: GNP205. More Product Details ... | ||||||||||||
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 | 30 Model Erector Set from Erector (Meccano) This kit contains 352 parts including a 6v motor and detailed plans for 30 models. Manufacturer: Erector (Meccano). Manufacturer's Part Number: 837530. Requires four AA batteries, not included. More Product Details ... | ||||||||||||
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 | Hydrodynamic Starter Building Set Build a model of a manufacturing plant with working tanks, pipes, valves and pump with this unique construction toy. A color instruction book provides building instructions and several examples of different structures you can build with the set. With the HYDRODYNAMIC Starter Set you can build a model of a paint pilot plant, a toothpaste factory, a vinegar production facility, and many other industrial structures. Discover how a siphon works. Balance the flow through the plant by adjusting the valves. The user learns the basic principles of fluid dynamics while constructing and playing with this toy. Packaged in a white plastic tote with bright blue handles, the bottom half of the tote serves as the base of the set and has a footing inside. All the pieces fit inside the tote when disassembled for easy storage and transporation. The starter set includes a hand pump, siphon tank, small round bottom tank, large cone bottom tank, tilt scale, ball flow meter, and assorted valves, pipe holders and pipe. The Starter Set comes in the same size tray as the Deluxe Set so that it can easily be expanded by buying the Spare Tanks Kit, the Pipes and Valves Kit, and other spare parts. The pieces are interchangeable with all other Girder and Panel and Bridge and Turnpike Building Sets and are HO scale. This set contains over 180 pieces. The set is packaged in a plastic storage tote. Manufacturer: Bridge Street Toys. Manufacturer's Part Number: HYDRO206. More Product Details ... | ||||||||||||
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 | Elements of Science Science from A to Z: 100 experiments in biology, chemistry, and physics. Investigate the most important phenomena in biology, chemistry, and physics by conducting more than 100 fun experiments. A broad, yet elaborate introduction to the physical and natural sciences, this kit is intended to expose children to the full spectrum of science and show first-hand how these three core disciplines interrelate. The full-color, 112-page book guides your experiments and discoveries. Manufacturer: TK. Manufacturer's Part Number: 631116. More Product Details ... | ||||||||||||
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 | Radio Controlled Hummer H2 Erector Set from Erector (Meccano) This kit includes 611 parts including an R/C transmitter, a pre-assembled chassis with R/C receiver and motors, a rechargeable battery pack for the car and a charger. The package even includes a standard 9v battery for the transmitter so you don't have to buy anything else to get your first R/C model rolling. The package includes detailed instructions for building 3 different models including a Hummer H@ Sports Utility Truck (SUT), Dune Buggy and Diesel Truck Cab. All of these kits operate on the same frequency so it is not possible to have head-to-head races. Manufacturer: Erector (Meccano). Manufacturer's Part Number: 848702E. More Product Details ... | ||||||||||||
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 | Fischertechnik Universal II from Fischertechnik This large kit includes detailed plans for 48 models using a large selection of structural and mechanical parts. Model plans include amusement part rides, manufacturing machinery and simple vehicles. Contains over 400 pieces. Manufacturer: Fischertechnik. Manufacturer's Part Number: 93290. More Product Details ... | ||||||||||||
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 | Scribbler Robot from Parallax Scribbler is a real programmable robot that is perfect for beginners age 8 and up. The robot is fully assembled including a built-in BASIC Stamp 2 microcontroller brain. It arrives pre-programmed with 8 demo programs that are selected by pressing "virtual pushbuttons" on the front of the mouse. The demo programs include searching for a light source (photovore), object detection, object avoidance and line following. The robot has a "pen port" which holds a standard marking pen, allowing Scribbler to draw as it drives. Scribbler programs can be written using either the standard Basic Stamp Editor or a new drag and drop graphical programming language created exclusively for Scribbler. The graphical environment generates PBasic code which you can study and modify when you are ready to make the transition from the visual programming enviornment to "real" text programming. Manufacturer: Parallax. Manufacturer's Part Number: 28136. Requires six AA batteries, not included. More Product Details ... | ||||||||||||
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| Products Requiring Sharp Tools or Sensitive Materials | |||||||||||||
| In addition to being able to use tools your child needs to learn to treat them with care and respect. That begins with using then only for their intended purpose and putting them away with care EVERY TIME. Its time to start thinking about more interesting tools once your child demonstrates that he or she never uses his screwdriver as a sword or worry bead and always puts it away. More interesting tools almost always involve sharper edges, higher forces and more opportunities for causing serious harm. New tools need to be introduced slowly with a careful explanation of the tool's potential dangers and its proper safe usage. At first a parent should remain the caretaker of sharp tools and they should be used only for parent-child projects. This helps reinforce the lesson that tools are special objects and have to be treated with respect. | |||||||||||||
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 | Rockit Robot Kit from OWI Robots Rockit Robot is a spunky little robot that you can build. Explore the fundamentals of robotics with this informative and entertaining robot kit. Appropriate for ages 10 and up, Rocket Robot is an intelligent robot with a touch/sound sensor. If it comes in contact with an object or hears a loud noise (such as hands clapping), Rocket Robot automatically reverses, then turns left before embarking on a new course. Rockit Robot is lots of fun from the moment it arrives. Requiring only basic hand tools, it contains step-by-step instructions, pre-assembled printed circuit board, condenser microphone, and an easy-to-assemble mechanical drive system. It's an ideal gift for the educator, hobbyist or budding scientist. If you are looking for more of a building challenge, check out Rockit Robot - Soldering Robot Kit. Manufacturer: OWI Robots. Manufacturer's Part Number: OWI-7769. Requires two AA batteries, not included. More Product Details ... | ||||||||||||
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 | Soccer Pro Robot Kit from OWI Robots Soccer Pro's incredible fast track wheel system powers this unit to make unbelievable sonic maneuvers and can thrust you down the sideline for explosive break-a-ways. This unit will be a mechanical soccer player's dream for those who thrive on speed and coordination. Easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions allow you to build this exciting interactive robot. Soccer Pro has two wheels, a retrieving and kicking mechanism, and a wired controller to activate movement and ball control. It runs forward, backward, turns left or right, and executes 360-degree turns. It will even help develop your hand/eye coordination skills. Play games, tournaments and surprise friends with great moves. Manufacturer: OWI Robots. Manufacturer's Part Number: OWI-9850. Requires four AA batteries, not included. More Product Details ... | ||||||||||||
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 | Binary Player Robot Kit from OWI Robots Binary Player a two wheeled robot that follows patters that you "program" using a marker pen. You tell the robot what to do by filling-in rectangles on a slip of paper that you put inside the robot. Programming a path is simple and fun but if you pay attention you can learn about programmed logic, binary arithmetic and robotic sensors. Program discs can be copied from the instruction manual, printed on your computer or drawn by hand using templates included with the kit. Easy to assemble, this beginner level robot makes a great project for robotic competitions, science fairs, after-school programs and classrooms. Manufacturer: OWI Robots. Manufacturer's Part Number: OWI-9875. Requires two AA batteries, not included. More Product Details ... | ||||||||||||
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 | Perfume Science Don't just stop and smell the roses extract their fragrance! The Art and Science of Making Scents Follow your nose on a fragrant journey through the science, history and art of making perfumes. Experiment with countless fragrance combinations on your way to becoming a master perfumer. Learn how your nose and olfactory system work with your brain to sense and recognize smells. Manufacturer: TK. Manufacturer's Part Number: 646516. More Product Details ... | ||||||||||||
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 | CHEM C1000 You and this kit have good chemistry together Enroll in CHEM C1000 and prepare yourself for a lifetime of fascination with this essential science through 75 diverse experiments. Build a mini fire extinguisher and make water flow uphill in experiments with air pressure. Float a soap-powered boat to learn about the surface tension of water. Entertain your friends and family with chemistry "magic" tricks, and then enlighten them with the scientific explanations behind the magic. Identify the elements in different chemical substances with dazzling colors in flame tests. Manufacturer: TK. Manufacturer's Part Number: 644017. More Product Details ... | ||||||||||||
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 | Lego Mindstorms Robotics Invention System NXT Create the smartest, strongest and most advanced LEGO robot ever, in as few as 30 minutes! LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT includes an all-new NXT Intelligent Brick with 32-bit microprocessor, 3 Interactive Servo motors, a sound sensor, an ultrasonic visual sensor, an improved touch sensor, and an improved light sensor. The kit also features 519 specially selected LEGO TECHNIC elements for sturdy and durable building and improved functionality and movement, 4 input ports, 3 output ports and 7 6-wire cords Matrix display, Piezo speakers, USB 2.0 and Bluetooth support and an easy-to-use PC and Mac compatible programming software. Manufacturer: LEGO. Manufacturer's Part Number: 8527. More Product Details ... | ||||||||||||
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| Tool Sets | |||||||||||||
 | Basic Hand Tool Set This bundle consists of one Slot Head Screwdriver 1/8" x 2" (Shirt Pocket Size), one Slot Head Screwdriver 3/16" x 3", one Phillips Head Screwdriver #0 x 2" (Shirt Pocket Size), one Phillips Head Screwdriver #1 x 3", one Mini Long Nose Pliers, one Mini Diagonal Wire Cutters, one Pick-Up Tool, one Precision Modeling Knife w/ 5 Blades and one Stackable Storage Box w/ Lid. Save up to $2.91 with this bundle! This package contains the basic hand tools needed to do the mechanical assembly of models, robot kits and many other projects. These are economical, good quality tools that will provide years of service if properly cared for. We use these tools at our own development and repair workbenches. The package includes a sturdy plastic storage tub. Manufacturer: BIZNODE. More Product Details ... | ||||||||||||
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| Gifts for Students 8 to 11 Years Old (Grades 3 to 5) Section Menu |
| Products Requiring No Tools or Simple Tools |
| Products Requiring Sharp Tools or Sensitive Materials |
| Tool Sets |
The content on this page was updated on 05/08/2008