10 Cool Gifts (for Teens) with a STEM Twist

Whether for the approaching holidays or an upcoming birthday, gift giving for teens can be challenging. Teens want to get cool gifts, while parents want to buy educational gifts. STEM gifts are an easy way to combine learning, creativity, and fun. Although most teens are far past the stage of butterfly nets and ant farms, there are plenty of other STEM gifts that they will be interested in. Here are some ideas for classic items that have stood the test of time, as well as some newer inventions. (If you click to purchase through the images/links on this page, we’ll receive a small commission from Amazon.)


Click and Grow Smart Garden – Brighten up your home this winter with a touch of fresh greenery and beautiful Scandinavian design (in white, gray, or beige). Get growing right away with this self-contained indoor garden. The kit comes with 3 mini tomato, 3 basil, and 3 lettuce pods (non-GMO). Or, experiment with your own seeds! It has a self-watering reservoir and built-in LED grow lights that mimic natural sunlight. Technology does all the work so you don’t have to!

 

Snap Circuits Bric Structures – Award-winning SNAP CIRCUITS products teach budding engineers about electricity, engineering, circuitry and more. Assemble building components to make electronic circuits that function like the printed circuit boards found in electronic products. Now you can have fun combining Snap Circuits and LEGO-style bricks! Includes 20 Snap Circuits component parts, 75 bric-2-snap adapters, over 140 fully compatible building bricks, and a full-color, easy-to-read project manual.

 

Thames & Kosmos Mechanical Engineering Robotic Arms – Learn how robotic machines perform work by building six different robotic arms. Special pneumatic system uses air pressure to power the models. Includes 32-page, illustrated experiment manual and assembly guide.

Bath Bomb Lab– MindWare makes it easy and safe to learn about the unique chemical reactions that occur when making and using your own fizzy and fragrant bath bombs. This hand-on kit offers multiple recipe options to experiment with, giving you options for different sizes, colors and scents, and even the ability to create a super bath bomb for ultimate fizzy fun. The detailed guide booklet includes step-by-step instructions, helpful hints when experimenting, and fine points on the chemistry behind bath bombs!


Galileo Thermometer Invented 400 years ago by Galileo Galilei, a pioneer of modern physics and astronomy, this colorful glass thermometer is a scientific instrument, a unique piece of artwork, and an educational desk accessory all in one! It’s based on Galileo’s theory, which states: in liquid, a body of fixed mass becomes less buoyant as the liquid temperature rises, and more buoyant as the temperature decreases, due to changes in liquid density. As the temperature changes in your room, the multi-colored spheres in this liquid-filled thermostatic tube will rise and fall, indicating the ambient temperature between 64-80 degrees F.

 

Refractor Telescope – This beginner’s telescope comes with everything you need to get started, and it only takes ten minutes to set up. It has a 400mm focal length, 70mm aperture, and fully coated glass optics for clean, crisp views. This scope features a compact and portable design with an adjustable tripod and carry bag, perfect for the on-the-go sky gazer. Take it to star parties, camping, school, or out in your own backyard. Includes smartphone adapter and Bluetooth camera remote. Perfect telescope for amateur astronomers to explore the stars.


5-in1 Wireless Weather Station – Pro weather station with illuminated color display features a high-precision 5-in-1 wireless weather sensor that accurately measures the temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and rainfall. Connected with USB to a windows or Mac computer, you can remotely view your data through the Internet on a smartphone, tablet, or web browser. PC connect also lets you archive weather data to a computer or broadcast to Weather Underground (the weather forecasting service, not the domestic terrorist group!). Set weather alarms for temperature, humidity, wind, rain, dew point, heat index and storm alerts, as well as email and text alerts to notify you when conditions change and may require your attention.


Student Microscope – This microscope comes with full optical glass elements, metal framework, 360 degree rotatable monocular head, and LED illumination. It offers five magnification settings: 40X, 100X, 250X, 400X and 1000X. It’s an ideal microscope for science students from elementary to high school – and it’s the same quality as those used in schools and colleges. Excellent value! You can also get a complete Student Microscope Set that comes with the microscope, slides, book, and other accessories.

Gemstone Jewelry KitIf your resident rock hound also happens to like jewelry, they will love this kit! It contains 240pcs of natural stone beads for making beautiful bracelets, necklaces, and more. Includes Amethyst, Black Obsidian,Tiger Eye, Rose Quartz, Lapis Lazuli, Green Aventurine, Red Agate, White Howlite, Amazonlite, and Black Lava Stone. The kit also comes with tools and accessories. It combines science, art, and DIY fun – for yourself or making custom gifts for family and friends!

Vector Robot by Anki – Amazon’s #1 New Release in grown-up toys! Vector is a cute companion made to help out and hang out. Powered by AI and advanced robotics, he’s alive with personality and engaged by sight, sound, and touch. Curious and attentive, he’s voice-activated and will answer questions, take photos for you, time dinner, show you the weather, and more. Vector is an updating platform that’s Cloud connected via Wi-Fi, so he’s always learning and updating with new skills and features. The first major free update is coming soon and will include an option to access Alexa voice service.

For more STEM gift ideas, see:

http://homeschoolingteen.com/article/12-educational-stem-gifts-2016

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