Do you ever wonder how bridges span huge distances and how skyscrapers stay standing? Structural engineers use physics and their knowledge of the properties of building materials and geometric shapes to design structures with sufficient strength and stability.
With this kit of modular building pieces, you can learn the basics of structural engineering by conducting a series of 20 model-building experiments. Each model demonstrates a basic principle of mechanical physics or structural engineering in a hands-on way.
Start out with small models that demonstrate how structural elements can be attached together to maximize the strength of a structure for a fixed amount of material used. Learn about basic structural elements including columns, beams, trusses, plates, arches, shells, and catenary. Explore the forces acting on structural components including tension, compression, shear, and bending.
Move onto building more complex models of trusses, roofs, and small buildings. Experiment with different types of bridge construction: a truss bridge, arch bridge, cantilever bridge, rope bridge, and suspension bridge. Finally, build models of towering skyscrapers. What is the tallest tower you can build using only the pieces included in the kit?
Learn about the strength and stiffness of materials. See how structural engineers optimize factors to maximize safety, and minimize cost and the risk of structural failure.
A 36-page, full-color manual guides you through model building with step-by-step illustrated instructions.
Ages: 8+
Experiments: 20
Piece Count: 323
Manual Pages: 44
Robotics is a vast, thrilling, and sometimes overwhelming interdisciplinary field involving physics, engineering, and computer science. This kit gives kids a simple, fun, and customizable introduction to robotics that lets them build eight motorized machines controlled by programs and an ultrasound sensor. Kids code the programs using an easy, visual programming app on a tablet or smartphone, which connects to the robot models via a wireless Bluetooth connection.
The ultrasonic sensor works on the same principle as sonar. It sends out sound waves, which bounce off objects. The sensor interprets the echoes returning to it, and from this detects objects in the path of the sensor. Using the app interface, you can program the robots you build to behave based on the feedback coming from the ultrasound sensor.
Build a bipedal robot that walks forward on two legs and pivots to avoid obstacles in its path. An awesome beetle robot moves backwards or forwards in response to an obstacle, and opens and closes its pincers. Construct a funny crocodile model that wags its tail if no object is in sight, but then opens its giant jaws when an object approaches. Using an additional smartphone and tablet, you can even hack together a cute little spy bot that roams around and streams video back to the tablet screen. A cool tiltrotor aircraft model simulates vertical takeoff and landing by rotating its propeller blades 90 degrees. You can also assemble other fun robots including a robo dog and robotosaurus. After you have learned how the technology works, you can build and program your own robots using the kit’s 230 building pieces.
A full-color, 64-page step-by-step illustrated manual helps kids assemble all of the models and teaches them about robotics in the real world. The visual programming language allows you to command the robots’ motors to move at different times, different power levels, in different directions, and in response to the data from the sensor. You can also add simple sounds to your programs. Requires a tablet or smartphone running iOS or Android. Please check the app stores for compatibility and device requirements.
Ages: 8+
Experiments: 8
Piece Count: 230
Manual Pages: 64
Explore the natural beauty and wonder of crystals by growing them yourself in many different shapes and colors. Set up your lab base station — the headquarters for all your crystal growing experiments, complete with beakers, test tubes, petri dish, tweezers, centrifuge, display dome, and more. Then conduct more than ten experiments in crystal formation, using safe, non-toxic crystal salts.
Make a crystal volcano by growing fast-forming crystals on a paper cone. Watch long spindly crystals form on a rock as if from nowhere. Grow crystals in many different ways, such as in a petri dish by evaporation, on a string dangling in solution, and by cooling a supersaturated solution. Experiment with three different chemicals, each resulting in different crystal shapes: monopotassium phosphate, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, and potassium aluminium sulfate. Mix your own colors for your crystal growing solutions in the spinning centrifuge, so you can achieve a variety of different colors: red, pink, blue, purple, and clear. Learn about how crystals form in your experimental solutions and also in nature.
After you have completed the experiments with the materials in the kit, you can continue using the lab station and equipment for your own crystal-growing and chemistry experiments, using common materials from around your home like table salt and alum salt.
Combine the base station with the base stations from the other Ooze Labs kits (Chemistry Station, Soap & Bath Bomb Lab, and Alien Slime Lab) to make one awesome laboratory setup!
Ages: 6+
Experiments: 11
Piece Count: 32
Manual Pages: 24
• Build 22 fun, functional models of real-world machines and devices
• Experimentally explore different areas of physics and engineering design.
• Investigate marine vehicles, submersible, buoyancy, wind power, rotation, gears, energy conversion, pneumatics, hydraulics, statics, optics, and much more.
• Over 260 reconfigurable building pieces.
• 136 pg, full-color experiment manual with instructions & scientific explanations.
• Batteries not required!
• A parents' Choice Gold award winner
With hundreds of building pieces and more than 20 models and experiments, The Big Engineering Makerspace is a comprehensive and ambitious STEM experience. In five chapters, you can experimentally explore different areas of physics and engineering design by building functional models and conducting tests with them. Explore marine vehicles, submersibles, buoyancy, wind power, rotation, gears, energy conversion, center of gravity, balance, pneumatics, hydraulics, statics, optics, and much more.
In the water and beach chapter, build models of a jet boat, submarine, catamaran, and sail car. In the land chapter, engineer models of a dragster, trike, automobile brake, automobile suspension, and tower crane. In the air chapter, construct models of a helicopter, glider, windmill, and falling leaf. In the engineering in society chapter, assemble models of a forklift, spinning top, hydraulic arm, scissor lift, and distance measuring tool. Finally, in the optical devices chapter, build models of a camera stabilizer, tripod, selfie stick, and smartphone microscope.
In addition to the models described in the instruction manual, you can design and build your own models. The building possibilities in this modular engineering system are virtually limitless. A 136-page manual guides your model building and experiments with step-by-step illustrated instructions.
Ages: 8+
Experiments: 22
Piece Count: 258
Manual Pages: 136
Build and program robots with this complete robotics engineering system. Using sensors, motors, a core controller, and hundreds of snap-together building pieces, you can follow the instructions to assemble ten different robots. The versatile parts also allow you to make robots according to your own designs.
This fun robotics curriculum starts out with instructions for building simple robots, teaching you how the sensors can be used to control the robots. Build an ultrasound robot that can avoid obstacles, a drawing robot, and a touch sensor robot. Move on to more complex robots that have multiple functions, such as a ball-shooting robot, a crawling robot, and a grabbing robot. Build a robotic arm that can pick up objects, a butler robot, a robot that will turn toward a light source, and a cool scorpion robot.
After you have mastered all of the robotic models in the instructions, you will have the tools and knowledge you need to go on and build and program your own amazing robotic creations.
The robots can be controlled directly in realtime and programmed to perform series of commands using an easy-to-use, free downloadable app on iOS or Android® tablets and Windows PCs. The mobile app wirelessly connects to the core controller using a Bluetooth low energy connection. The PC app connects to the core controller via a USB cable. The app uses the open source visual block programming library Google Blockly to make coding fast and easy to understand.
A 64-page, full-color manual features step-by-step illustrated building instructions and instructions explaining how to program and operate all of the robot models.
Ages: 10+
Experiments: 10
Piece Count: 306
Manual Pages: 64
Robotic Components:
Ultrasonic Sensor
Your robot’s eyes! The ultrasonic sensor helps your robots gauge distances and determine where objects are. Using the core controller, the ultrasonic sensor is able to detect an object and measure its proximity. Technically it works like a sonar system: a sound is sent out and received again when it bounces off obstacles.
Light Sensor
Detect light intensity! The light sensor assists in helping your robot to “see.” It enables your robot to distinguish between light and dark, as well as determine the light intensity in a room or the light intensity of different colors.
Touch Sensor
Your robot’s fingers! The touch sensor measures information arising from physical contact with objects, enabling your robotic creation to “feel” things in front of it! The sensor can detect single or multiple button presses, and reports back to the core controller, which decides what to do according to the program. The kit includes two touch sensors.
Precision Motor
Take precise steps! The two precision motors allow your robot to take accurate and powerful steps with complete motor control! The kit includes two servo motors.
Geared Motor
Drive your robots! The two geared motors bring motion to your robots: Connect the motors to gears, wheels, and other pieces to move your robots in many ways. The kit includes two regular motors.
CB1 Core Controller
Your robot’s brain, ears, and voice! The CB1 core controller wirelessly connects the app on your tablet to the motors, sensors, microphone, speaker, and LEDs.
Speaker
Your robot’s voice! The loudspeaker integrated into the core controller allows you to program your robots to make sounds.
Sound Sensor
Your robot’s ears! There is a microphone on the core controller that can detect sounds. You can program your robot to react accordingly. So if you clap your hands once, it can mean one thing, and it you clap twice, it can mean a different thing. The sound sensor is able to measure noise levels around 3–6 kHz, where the human ear is most sensitive.
You will also need: 6 AA batteries (1.5-volt, type AA/LR6) or 6 AA rechargeable batteries (1.2-volt, type AA, HR6/KR6); Tablet and/or PC with Internet access. To use an external DC power source, a 5V 2.5A DC power supply is recommended.
Requires a tablet running iOS or Android. Check the app stores for compatibility and device requirements.
PC requirements for desktop app:
The desktop app is not supported on all computers. A Windows desktop or laptop PC with USB 2.0/3.0 port and Internet connection are required. The CB1 Blockly Desktop application was developed on Windows 10. It is expected to work on Windows 7 or higher, but the compatibility cannot be verified on all computers. Minimum system requirements: Dual core processor, 2.4 GHz (i5 or i7 Intel processor or AMD equivalent); 4 GB RAM; 100 MB free hard drive space for the application files; 802.11g/n wireless (for laptops; WPA2 support required); 19-inch LCD monitor (for desktops)
Soaring spires, towering arches, fascinatingly complex curves and angles! Build your foundation in architectural design with this fascinating STEM experiment kit that explores the engineering principles behind planning and developing buildings and structures. Through model building exercises you play the role of architect and engineer as you piece together an array of models, from small, basic structural elements like trusses, arches, and domes, to giant complex models of real-world buildings. Try building the Sydney Opera House, or put the Eiffel Tower on display in your living room! With 20 guided model builds, you can construct stadiums, skyscrapers, a Ferris wheel, and more.
By getting hands-on with these exercises, you’ll develop an understanding of how architectural engineers apply scientific principles to their designs and how the buildings and structures of the 21st-century push materials and engineering to the limits. The 44-page, full-color manual guides your journey while encouraging independent exploration. What is the tallest tower, the most voluminous dome, or the longest bridge you can build with the modular building pieces? How will you use what you learn to further your architectural journey?
Ages: 8 to 14+
Experiments: 26
Piece Count: 308
Manual Pages: 44
This astonishing wall-climbing robot has a motorized air suction system that enables it to walk vertically up and down perfectly smooth surfaces, like glass, plastic, whiteboards, and glossy laminates. The battery-powered motor drives an innovative gear system that produces a rotating motion making the legs move back and forth and up and down, mimicking a real gecko — so two of the feet are touching the wall while the other two feet are lifted off of the wall, in an alternating motion. At the same time, the gear system drives an air pump that creates a vacuum at the two feet touching the wall while blowing air outward at the other two feet. In this way, two of the feet are always holding the model to the wall, while the other two feet are pushing off and stepping forward. You can build six other models and conduct experiments with suction to learn about air pressure and the mechanical physics of this unique device. Build models of an industrial robotic arm with a vacuum suction cup gripper, crawling inch worm, smartphone holder, suction tow truck and car, ellipsograph, and suction gun. A 24-page, full-color manual guides you through model building with step-by-step illustrated instructions and provides scientific information and explanations.
Ages: 8+
Experiments: 7
Piece Count: 176
Manual Pages: 24
A robot fit for the circus! With this kit, you can build a robot that walks, step by step, along a tightrope. How? Thanks to the robot’s main component, a gyroscope, it can maintain its balance and perform this fun trick without falling over! Through eight experiments, you can explore the astonishing powers of the motorized gyroscope and understand the physics behind its amazing behaviors. Experiment with getting the robot to walk on different surfaces: a tightrope, on a solid tabletop, on a soft surface, and even on your arm! You can also experiment with the balancing behavior of the motorized gyroscope by itself, testing its ability to balance on its edge, on your finger, on a pole, and dangling from a string.
The kit includes parts to build the robot and experimental setups, including a frame for the tightrope. By constructing the robot and performing the experiments with the motorized gyroscope unit, young engineers can learn about the science of gyroscopic devices and the indispensable role they play in our lives.
A full-color, 24-page, illustrated experiment manual provides step-by-step assembly instructions and scientific explanations.
Ages: 6+
Experiments: 8
Piece Count: 43
Manual Pages: 24