Research Guides: STEAM Kits: Engineering

Bloxels [Game]

Bloxels [Game] Using the Bloxels game, students can connect their physical creation with a digital version. Colors on the game board translate into different kinds of objects in the video game, like coins and enemies. This creates a setting for a video game that students can play on a smart device using the free Bloxels app. This process teaches skills in building interactive logic puzzles and working as a team. The game can be applicable to art, technology, or engineering lessons, among others.
Call Number: 794.8 BLO STEAM Kit

Level: Grade 3-12

Requires App and smart device

Tags: creative, computer science, design, engineering, games, problem solving, puzzles

Electronic Snap Circuits [Circuit] The Electronic Snap Circuit has many parts that can be put together to channel electricity to accomplish a task, like turning on a light or a fan. With this STEAM Kit, students will learn how they can use electricity to produce sounds, generate motion, and build games. This game will support a range of science-based lessons plans about electricity, circuitry, and robotics.
Call Number: 537.5 ELE STEAM Kit

Level: Grade 3-12

Tags: circuits, conductivity, creative, games, invention, robotics

Hummingbird [Robot] Hummingbird teaches students to learn about robotics and programming. Students connect the Hummingbird Duo Controller to a computer and to a power outlet. Then they attach other parts to accomplish different tasks. Students can explore multiple programming languages to add functions to their robots. With these components, students can explore their creativity with technology. These robots can be built to match literally any subject, including music, math, history, language, and science lessons.
Call Number: TBA

Level: Grade 4-12
Requires computer

Tags: circuits, coding, design, engineering, programming, robotics

LittleBits Code [Circuit] With the Littebits Education Code Kit, students can connect their circuit inventions to a computer and use code to display images or words with their creation. The building process helps students understand how circuits work, how they can use circuits to connect hardware and software, and the basics of coding. Circuitry and coding with LittleBits can be incorporated into any lesson plan to connect computer science to other educational subjects.
Call Number: 621.3 LIT STEAM Kit

Level: Grade 3-8
Requires computer and app

Tags: circuits, coding, creative, invention

Makeblock Starter Robot [Robot] This kit includes parts to a robot that students can build to learn about robotics and engineering. Students can follow the guidelines to build a robot and control it using the remote or using code on the online app and their smartphones.The Makeblock Starter Robot can be used in robotics, science, computer science, and invention lesson plans, among others, to teach multiple levels of students about engineering and coding basics. The robot brings classroom concepts to life in a fun environment.
Call Number: 629.892 MAK STEAM Kit

Level: Grade 3-12
May require computer and MakeBlock app for some activities

Tags: circuits, engineering, design, invention, programming, robotics

Makey Makey [Circuit] Teachers can connect the Makey Makey board to the computer using a USB cord (included). Then, use the alligator clip cables to experiment with conductivity. Students will learn what is conductive by listening to the Makey Makey website and learning which grounds produce a sound and which don't. Students can create controllers to play games with, build circuits, or build experiments to understand distance rates.
Call Number: 629.8 MAK STEAM Kit

Level: K-12
Requires computer

Tags: circuits, conductivity, design

Snap Circuits Light With this STEAM kit, students put together different conductive parts to produce light, sound, and motion with electricity. The parts of the kit can be combined to create over a hundred different circuits to accomplish different tasks. Snap Circuits Light could be used in lessons about electricity, conductivity, and engineering, among others.
Call Number: 537.5 SNA STEAM Kit

Level: K-12

Tags: creative, circuits, conductivity, engineering

Squishy Circuits [Circuit] This kit comes with conductive and non-conductive dough for students to mold into shapes. It also comes with circuits and lights which, when assembled and connected, light up the molded creations. Students can build their own creations with the dough, including crowns, animals, or vehicles, and then apply concepts of conductivity to decorate their sculptures with lights. This kit is great for science, art, and vocab lessons, and more.
Call Number: 621.381 SQU STEAM kit

Level: Grade 3-8

Tags: art, circuits, conductivity, creative, design, invention

littleBits: Droid Inventor Kit [Robot] Prepare the next generation of engineers and problem solvers with the Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit in your classroom. This resource guides students to design, build, code, and implement a droid. Students learn how to apply engineering skills to a fun project and approach challenges with the droid they’ve built. The droid can be used in lessons about computer science, physics, and more.
Call Number: 629.892 LIT STEAM Kit

Level: Grade 3-12
Requires app for controlling and coding

Tags: coding, computer science, design, engineering, invention, robotics

littleBits education STEAM student set [Robot] When given the chance to create their own invention and build something unique, students discover the power of engineering. The Steam Student Set comes with different parts to build inventions that move, light up, and more. It teaches goal-oriented invention design to students through fun, hands-on challenges. Invention tasks can support a range of lesson plans, especially engineering or physics lessons, but also for language arts and other subjects.
Call Number: 621.3 STEAM kit

Level: Grade 3-12

Tags: creative, circuits, design, engineering, invention, robotics

Vex IQ super kit [kit] / Innovation First Labs, Inc Use the parts in this kit to build any pre-designed robot or create your own. The robots can be operated using pre-programmed code or students can build their own code. The Vex company also runs robotics competitions for students to compete in! The Vex IQ Super Kit can teach students skills in engineering, coding, programming, and challenge them to learn and innovate through competition. This kit is perfect for driving students to learn in a hands-on, creative environment.
Call Number: 372.35 VEX STEAM Kit

Level: Grade 3-9

Tags: creative, coding, design, engineering, programming, robotics