Research Guides: STEAM Kits: Puzzles, Shapes, and Problem Solving

Dash & Dot [Robot]

Dash & Dot [Robot] Dash & Dot bring coding to life for students. They are interactive robots with charming personalities, and encourage kids to learn to code in order to play with them. Different apps allow students to tackle different challenges and learn multiple coding skills. Students can learn to use LEGO blocks to change how Dash looks. These robots make learning coding fun and rewarding! Dash & Dot can be incorporated into computer lessons and coding lessons, among others.
Call Number: 372.35 DAS STEAM Kit

Level: K-12
Requires app

Tags: coding, puzzles, robotics

LeapPad [Game] The LeapFrog LeapPad Platinum is a great introduction for young students in the world of technology. The LeapPad functions like an iPad, with a touch screen that lets students interact with the games. The borrowable LeapPad from CECH comes with the Nickelodeon Bubble Guppies game. Teachers can purchase a variety of apps from the App Center, which can be used in lesson plans for many educational subjects, from math to writing to science.
Call Number: 794.8 LEA STEAM kit

Level: PK-4

Tags: games, problem solving

Osmo Coding [Game] Use the iPad, app, and coding blocks to teach students how coding works! The game helps students understand what coding commands do and when to use them. Students connect the idea of coding to physical blocks that they use. The coding blocks allow students to build different commands to win the game. This game could be incorporated into a lesson plan about coding or as an introduction to coding in a computer class.
Call Number: 794.8 OSM Coding + Base STEAM Kit

Level: K-7
Requires iPad

Tags: coding, games, osmo, problem solving

Osmo Masterpiece [Art Set] Students can create masterpieces using pre-made images or drawing pictures they took themselves. Masterpiece translates images into lines. Then, it projects the whiteboard onto the screen with the image lines overlaid so that students can draw the outline themselves on the whiteboard. Osmo Masterpiece can be used in lessons about art, or students can use it to draw images corresponding to vocab words in a variety of subjects.
Call Number: 794.8 OSM STEAM Kit

Level: K-7
Requires iPad

Tags: art, creative, osmo, shapes

Osmo Tangrams [Game] In Osmo Tangrams, the iPad displays a shape, and students arrange the tangram tiles in front of the iPad where the reflector can see if they’ve built the shape correctly. The game helps students build geometry skills. Students will learn problem-solving skills and spatial thinking which will help them develop their understanding of geometry for more complex theories. These puzzles can be incorporated into lesson plans about geometry or art.
Call Number: 794.8 OSM Tangram + Base STEAM Kit

Level: K-7
Requires iPad

Tags: art, games, geometry, puzzles, shapes

Osmo Words [Game] The Osmo Words kit uses an app and letter tiles to teach students how to build words. Different levels of activities prompt students to spell the image on the iPad screen. The reflector on the iPad allows the app to know what the students have spelled. The game difficulty can be adjusted to the students’ age. This game helps students develop vocabulary skills, spelling skills, and matching skills. This kit can be implemented into lessons about spelling or vocabulary.
Call Number: 794.8 OSM Words + Base STEAM Kit

Level: K-7
Requires iPad

Tags: english, games, osmo, puzzles, vocab

Scratch Coding Cards [Flash Cards] Scratch teaches coding to young students by providing a website where they can learn the basics of designing code to solve a problem. The Scratch Coding Cards challenge students to complete specific tasks on the website using coding. The cards run students through how to accomplish a coding goal. Students learn that computer science involves creativity and teamwork. The fun activities make learning coding concepts like sequencing, conditionals, and variables enjoyable and rewarding. Incorporate Scratch Coding Cards into computer science lessons, or lessons in other subjects that can use coding to accomplish a task.
Call Number: 005.13 RUS STEAM Kit

Level: K-12
Requires desktop or app

Tags: coding, computer science, games, problem solving