STEM Summer School at Home - Kits with a Curriculum to Follow

Summer can be a great to time for kids to explore a STEM subject in more depth. We've previously written about online summer camps for kids. In this article we look at kits that come with equipment and a curriculum for kids to follow.

We've chosen option that come with plenty of activities for children to work through semi-independently. Obvious some kits will require supervision, but you won't have to come up with ideas on what to do with the kit. So, you should have chance to get some work done, or read a book while they get on with it. (Unless of course you want to learn about robotics or science too!)

Sphero SPRK

The Sphero SPRK robot is a fantastic option for the summer. This round robot is great for indoor and outdoor use. The SPRK version is clear so you can see inside. The Sphero SPRK makes this list because of its fantastic educational app which takes kids through a series of lessons that teach coding concepts in a very interactive and hands-on way. The SPRK app can be used at school but it's also great for home use.

Buy: Sphero SPRK (Marbles: The Brain Store have a great deal on Sphero SPRK at time of writing)

See also our guide to programmable robots for kids for more alternatives.

Steve Spangler Science Kits

 

Steve Spangler has a wide range of science kits covering chemistry, physics and technology. You can subscribe to their club to receive a kit packed with equipment and experiments each month. But at the moment they are offering individual STEM in a Box kits to buy to use over the summer. The boxes have titles like Newton's Antics and Slime Time - very colourful and kid-friendly.

Buy: Steve Spangler STEM in a Box kits

littleBits Steam Student Set

littleBits are modular electronics components that just snap together. They are brilliant for making projects that incorporate electronics. There's a new STEAM Student Set available which as well as having lots of components includes educational materials. There's an invention guide to teach kids the principles and get them going and challenges to encourage creativity. The STEAM Student Set has enough components for siblings or a small group of friends to learn together.

Buy: STEAM Student Set

DuinoKit Jr Arduino Learning System

For those ready to get deeper into electronics the DuinoKit Jr is a fantastic place to start. The kit comes with an electronics learning board integrated into a smart metal case. Kids work through a series of missions to build cool inventions. The kit uses the Arduino tools so kids and teens can develop genuinely useful skills. They might need a bit help getting the tools set up at first, but older kids should be able to work pretty independently.

See our review of the DuinoKit Jr

Electroninks Circuit Scribe Kits

Electroninks Circuit Scribe Kit use an electronic ink pen and magnetic components to teach electronics. There's a workbook which is available online so you print extra copies (great for siblings sharing a kit) and this makes it very suitable for semi-independent learning.

See our review of Circuit Scribe

K'Nex Education

K'NEX Education Forces, Energy & Motion
? @ Amazon

For physics and engineering there are some fab K'Nex Education kits which include parts and curriculum content. The Forces, Energy & Motion kit includes instructions for 11 different vehicles and you can build up to four of the same time so the kit can be used with siblings or a small group.

There are lots of smaller K'Nex Education kits too. These are a great option for developing practical engineering skills (something that can be missing if kids spend too much time using electronic devices.)

ROKIT Smart 11 in 1 Programmable Robot Kit

Robolink 11 in 1 Programmable Robot Kit - STEM Learning Educational Starter Robotics Kit for Arduino Learners with Video Tutorials ? @ Amazon

The ROKIT Smart robot kit can be built into 11 different types of robot. The components are good quality and a lot of through has gone into putting together this educational kit.

There are detailed building instructions as well as videos that explain how the robots work and what they can do. There are also tutorials and videos that explain how the different components work and how they can be programmed.

Age: 7+

Solar Lab 1.1 Electricity Learning Kit

Solar Lab 1.0 Electricity Learning Kit
? @ Amazon

We featured the Solar Lab 1.1 Electricity Learning Kit in our Solar Power kits roundup. We like this kit because it uses real technology, you get a real voltmeter and you can build a solar-powered battery charger.

The kit comes with a curriculum of lessons and background information which makes it suitable for summer school at home. 

Age: 12+

Raspberry Pi Computer Kits

Do your kids just use tablets and laptops? How about a Raspberry Pi based kit that teaches kids what's inside a computer. 

UK-based Kano allow kids to build a Raspberry Pi based computer and then learn to program it. Kano comes with its own operating system packed with apps that will allow kids to create awesome digital stuff. Note that you'll need a screen to connect the kit to. 

Buy: Kano Computer Kit (UK)

There's also the Minecraft-themed Piper which has a fantastic wooden case to house some fab tech including a Raspberry Pi. Kids work through Minecraft-themed exercises and learn about hardware. This kit includes an LCD screen too. 

Buy: Piper Computer Kit (US)