Hands-On Science Kits

Bring your imagination to life, cube by colorful cube!

Little builders boost their imaginative and engineering skills with MathLink Cubes Big Builders, a STEM-inspired building set powered our bestselling MathLink Cubes!

This deluxe building set comes with 200 cubes cast in 10 bright colors from red and blue to black, white, and brown.

Following along with the included activity guide, kids can tackle more than a dozen building challenges - build your own puppy pal, create a vroom-ready motorcycle, or transform cubes into a whooshing rocketship - or make their own creations!

While they build, kids will also master early critical thinking and design concepts, as well as strengthen their fine motor skills.

Each sturdy cube measures 3/4"L x 3/4"H, and can be snapped together or apart over and over again.

Cubes work with all MathLink Cubes products, and add extra power to math lessons and building projects.

Ages 5-9

From Learning Resources

Your adventure kit will take you back over 2,000 years to the wolrd of Maya...a civilization rich in temple-pyramids, observatories and hieroglyphics. Become an archaeologist and unearth buried treasures from the Mesoamerica era. Get ready, set...Explorer-U!

The mechanical coding wheel is the heart of the Mech-5 Mechanical Coding Robot. It steers its coded courses and programmed tasks. Coding is executed effortlessly by snapping the coding buttons onto the coding wheel, directing your robot to perform its basic functions – move forward, backward, right or left, spin or pause. Thanks to this simple to follow approach, coding and performing more challenging tasks like throwing, lifting, kicking or drawing, become achievable as the user’s coding skills increase.

This mission-based, entry level STEM coding robot is designed to inspire users to learn about mechanical engineering principles and coding basics. It encourages children to think while also developing their problem-solving and troubleshooting skills when faced with different tasks and difficulties. Engage in the coding world and beyond by challenging yourself with your very first coding robot.</p

For ages 10 and up. Requires Batteries: 2 x AAA

WARNING CHOKING HAZARD- Small parts. Not for Children under 3 yrs.

Build six mechanical models of the types of arms, grabber claws, and legs found on robotic machines. Explore mechanical engineering principles firsthand as you assemble and play with these working models.

The models use a pneumatic system which uses air pressure to activate the models. Pump up the air reservoir with the hand pump, then flick the switch to operate the model: A pneumatic piston enables the grabber claws to open and close rapidly and to grip objects with enough force to lift them. The piston can also move the arms and legs on models back and forth, demonstrating how robotic limbs move.

Construct a pivoting robotic laboratory arm with gripper claw. Assemble an extra long grabber claw to pick up things that are just out of reach. Build a vertical three-fingered claw that can lift a cup up off the table keeping it level. Experiment with models of robotic exoskeleton arms and legs. Make a compact grabber claw that you can slip into your shirt sleeve to pretend you have a robotic hand.

Learn how pneumatic and hydraulic systems are used in industrial robots to enable the robots to manipulate heavy objects, such as automobile components.

A 36-page, full-color manual guides you through model building with step-by-step illustrated instructions. Ages 7+ From Thames & Kosmos

Explore hydraulics, pneumatics, and robotics with your very own GIANT hydraulic hand! Using over 200 plastic pieces and piston tubes that you fill with water, build an awesome mechanical hand that uses hydraulic power to simulate the movements of the human hand--no motors or electricity required!

Once assembled, your cyborg hand slips onto your own hand like a glove, with mechanical fingers that you operate with your own fingers and that can grip objects with enough force to lift them. Challenge yourself to pick up and hold a variety of items like bottles, pencils, small items--anything with reach!

The hand can be configured in three ways--left hand, right hand, and claw-like, with the thumb in the center--and can be adjusted to fit virtually all hand sizes.

A 40-page, full-color manual guides model building and experimentation and provides engaging scientific information about how pneumatic and hydraulic systems are used in industrial robots to assist with a variety of tasks in our modern world.

Includes 9 metallic minerals, mineral specimens, 1 magnifying glass, 1 nail, and 1 streak plate.

 Learning guide included.

 For ages 8+

Dimensions 7.25 × 1.5 × 5

Each kit contains: -Dino Hatchling -excavation tools -1 folded guidebook

 Each kit contains: 2 fossils, excavation tools, 1 folded guidebook

Each kit contains: -excavation tools -1 folded guidebook

Six different Ocean Life figurines are included in the assortment.

Each kit comes with a chisel and a brush.

Each kit contains: -2 rocks/minerals -excavation tools -1 folded guidebook

Make plump and squishy polymer gel beads to demonstrate the molecular structure of plastics.

Form the gelatinous globules by dripping sodium alginate into a solution containing calcium ions.

Learn how massive chains of polymers make these fun squishy orbs possible.

Recommended for ages 8 and up.

STEM STEM STEM

Build Your Own Electric Motor

Electric motors and generators are in countless devices, appliances, and vehicles we use every day. They are an essential technology in our modern world. With this kit, you can conduct 25 experiments to learn how an electric motor converts electricity into motion, and how an electric generator does just the opposite, converting motion into electricity.

The electric motor is made of transparent plastic to show how the inside components work. Set up the motor to run on battery power and learn how a motor works. Then reconfigure the device to work in reverse as a hand-crank electric generator. Experiment with magnets to learn about the force of magnetism, and how magnetic fields relate to electric current. Build simple circuits consisting of the motor or generator, wires, and a light bulb to learn about the flow of electricity. Learn about gears and drive-trains and how they work to effectively convert kinetic energy into electrical energy and back again.

The full-color, 48-page manual guides your experiments with step-by-step instructions.

Ages 8 and up. From Thames and Kosmos

Learn to apply STEM principles just like an engineer! Moving Creations from hand2mind, a leading developer of classroom learning tools for over 50 years, is created in partnership with K’NEX®. The step-by-step illustrated guide contains 9 different builds, educational science content, 18 STEM experiments and “Think Bigger” challenges to practice the scientific method. Includes a 98 pg. book with storage box attached.

• STEM building activities teach engineering through play
• Walks junior engineers through 9 builds and 18 STEM experiments
• Explores the fascinating science of pneumatics (air) & hydraulics (water)
• Includes “Think Bigger” challenges to deepen understanding of the scientific method

With Smartivity® Multiplication Machine learn about:

Multiplication
Linkages
Math Properties

NOT AVAILABLE ONLINE - IN-STORE PURCHASE ONLY

Build an electronic musical device that works like a simple theremin, an instrument in which the pitch is controlled by the movement of your hand. In this device, a light sensor inside the UFO’s dome senses the changing light level as you move your hand above it, changing the sound. 16-page manual. Ages 8+. From Thames & Kosmos. Requires 2 AAA Batteries. Learn More

My body anatomy kit allows you to explore human anatomy with this simple kit filled with colorful body puzzles and informational cards.

This fun, educational kit provides a simple introduction to the human body with eight sets of puzzles about different systems within the body.

It enables kids to visualize and understand the Skeleton, internal organs, circulatory system, and more.

The My body kit is perfect for the young, aspiring medical professional.

This item is recommended for ages 4 years and up.

Junior gemologists will "dig" learning about rocks and minerals with this beginner's collection. The kit includes 8 polished rock samples, such as turquoise, amethyst, rose quartz, lemon jade, and more PLUS a surprise rock that they will unearth in the dig kit. The field guide introduces easy-to-follow STEM content, including fun facts and jokes. Then go exploring to find rocks from home that you can decorate with the included paint and googly eyes.

Experiment with colorful reactions while learning simple chemistry concepts.

Junior scientists can explore fizzing, color-changing, gelatinous experiments, all while learning about color. Drop color tablets into water and create a magical, walking color. Create a magic wand using colorful jellies. Stack a petri dish to make a lava lamp. And even discover chromatography by making your own tie-dye chalk!

Dig into the fascinating world of insects and entomology with all the tools you need to collect, observe, and learn about amazing bugs! Includes a portable terrarium, pit trap, and bug catcher! Stimulates an interest in entomology

• Provides hands-on experience with insect life cycles, anatomy, metamorphosis, and more
• Journaling activities encourage creativity
• Bug Discovery Lab includes everything a young explorer might need to collect, observe and learn about bugs!

Includes:

• Portable Bug Terrarium with soft plastic handle, built-in 2x and 3x magnifiers, breathing holes, and mirrored bottom
• Pit Trap with funnel, designed specifically to attract and catch insects
• Exclusive, one-of-a-kind Bug Catcher with easy insect catch-and-release, and breathing holes for up-close observation
• 22-Page activity journal