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- legos - magnifying glass - microscope - chemistry set - pocket knife - big card board boxes - bicycle - a yard - shovel - rock tumbler - a

by sheraz 10y ago

- legos - magnifying glass - microscope - chemistry set - pocket knife - big card board boxes - bicycle - a yard - shovel - rock tumbler - ant farm - breadboard for simple circuits - a tent and sleeping bag - play-do - baking bread or making pasta - telescope This is where STEM begins. Edit: added more STEMy things

RickS 10y ago
Great list - I had all of them growing up. Be mindful of the age though. My uncle (an IBM engineer) got me a breadboard/ciruit kit when I was way too young to understand it, and it was frustrating and turned me off of electronics for awhile. Lego mindstorms was similarly frustrating, though also fun.
kbouck 10y ago
I agree with those emphasizing that it needs to be fun and engaging before it can be anything else. Lego has a great path to go from basic Lego up into programming and robotics. And Lego Technic is just great. Lego -> Lego Technic -> Lego WeDo -> Mindstorm -> Scratch/ Raspberry Pi For example I'm now helping my son "activate" his store-bought Lego castle sets by connecting Scratch programs to Lego Technic motors via the Lego WeDo USB hub. With that we can sense the cat walking by, automate machine gun fire, etc. The cat is really happy about that.
peller 10y ago
Great list. To add to this, basic (de)construction tools: - screwdrivers - hammer - clamps / workbench with vice - hand saw - rulers / measuring tape - hand drill (w/ bits) - random assortment of screws, nails, bolts & nuts, glue, wood pieces, dowels, string, wheels, whatever. encourage dumpster diving. Also, some inspiring literature, like: https://www.amazon.com/American-Boys-Handy-Book-Centennial/dp/0879234490 https://www.amazon.com/American-Boys-Handy-Book-Centennial/d... and/or https://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Book-Boys-Conn-Iggulden/dp/0062208977 https://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Book-Boys-Conn-Iggulden/dp/... Oh, and it helps to have a partner in crime for encouragement, troubleshooting, etc. (siblings/friends/parents) These days I'm an engineer, but that's how the passion starts, no doubt about it.

by sheraz 10y ago

RickS 10y ago

Great list - I had all of them growing up. Be mindful of the age though. My uncle (an IBM engineer) got me a breadboard/ciruit kit when I was way too young to understand it, and it was frustrating and turned me off of electronics for awhile. Lego mindstorms was similarly frustrating, though also fun.

kbouck 10y ago

I agree with those emphasizing that it needs to be fun and engaging before it can be anything else. Lego has a great path to go from basic Lego up into programming and robotics. And Lego Technic is just great. Lego -> Lego Technic -> Lego WeDo -> Mindstorm -> Scratch/ Raspberry Pi For example I'm now helping my son "activate" his store-bought Lego castle sets by connecting Scratch programs to Lego Technic motors via the Lego WeDo USB hub. With that we can sense the cat walking by, automate machine gun fire, etc. The cat is really happy about that.

peller 10y ago

Great list. To add to this, basic (de)construction tools: - screwdrivers - hammer - clamps / workbench with vice - hand saw - rulers / measuring tape - hand drill (w/ bits) - random assortment of screws, nails, bolts & nuts, glue, wood pieces, dowels, string, wheels, whatever. encourage dumpster diving. Also, some inspiring literature, like: https://www.amazon.com/American-Boys-Handy-Book-Centennial/dp/0879234490 https://www.amazon.com/American-Boys-Handy-Book-Centennial/d... and/or https://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Book-Boys-Conn-Iggulden/dp/0062208977 https://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Book-Boys-Conn-Iggulden/dp/... Oh, and it helps to have a partner in crime for encouragement, troubleshooting, etc. (siblings/friends/parents) These days I'm an engineer, but that's how the passion starts, no doubt about it.