Most subscription boxes are designed to fit maybe one or two categories and if you don't fit into those categories then it's just not for you. When it comes to creativity and problem solving those are categories that apply to every person regardless of age. KiwiCo recognized a need for more age-specific choices in a single subscription box and they seem to have nailed it! Their boxes go from 0-36 months, ages 3-4, ages 5-8, and ages 9-16+ with two different types of subscription boxes to choose from for their oldest users. You'll find that their boxes are heavily STEM/STEAM themed and offer a wide variety of projects. We were lucky enough to try a few of their single crates: The KiwiCo Light-Up Speaker box is recommended for ages 12+, but does fall within that 9-16+ box age range. In the kit, there was everything needed to make a fully functional light-up speaker. The goal is to teach users how to build an amplification circuit, learn about transistors, and see electromagnetism … [Read more...]

Creation Crate is a monthly subscription box that is designed with STEM in mind, as well as, just education in general. The twist is that they not only want to fulfill STEM goals for learners, but they want to promote practical skills that will make subscribers competitive in the ever-advancing technological world. Think of it this way: A child gets an entire year of Creation Crates (one per month) and has more real life experience with programming than 99% of college level computer students. That's incredible! The mission of Creation Crate is to make people of any age competitive in the job force to combat the fear that unemployment may continue to grow in the future thanks to automation. You can subscribe to a single month of Creation Crate, but the real investment is an entire 12 months of crates each with a different project to build and a way to start your own makerspace. Each month's themes that also include specific objectives and outcomes can be found below: Month … [Read more...]

When you're a student, the learning never seems to stop. Some semesters, you feel like you're spending every waking hour studying, but what if I told you that you could be studying while you sleep, too? Sounds crazy, doesn't it? Political Science, Biology, Psychology, Music Theory, Art History, Economics, Corporate Finance, and Drama. Pillowcase Studies takes the basics of a subject area and prints them in easy-to-read and understand notes on a white pillowcase. When appropriate, they include diagrams and other helpful illustrations to build upon a concept. These pillowcases are perfect not only for students but for anyone who loves any of the nine subject areas covered. The black and white design is sleek and a great addition to any space, especially a dorm room. Plus, they're made in the USA, which is great news to many buyers with this criterion on their shopping list. At $25 per pillowcase, this is a great investment to keep the basics of any subject fresh. The pillowcases … [Read more...]

Designed by Rebecca Klemm, PhD, Numbers Alive is an exciting way to teach children about the patterns around them and the relevancy of numbers as a story. Team Ten, her characters, includes the numbers zero to ten who have their own backstories, personalities, and likes that are very educational and cleverly fit into her numeric relevancy stories. She also created the STEM Squad that includes: Pi, Phi, Infinity, and The Imaginary Unit that takes numbers and mathematical concepts into middle and high school levels. Numbers Alive educational materials go from infant to adult and include a wide range of products. For example, Baby's First Christmas Decoration and STEM Learning Tool Kit is a fabric book that is a first introduction to numbers. The book itself is soft, crinkles, and promotes exploration. She's included elements that are appropriate for infants to keep them exploring, discovering, and engaged. Another fun addition to this book kit is the carrying handle that helps … [Read more...]

Children of all ages need activities that keep them engaged and learning. Having a project they can do with their hands and have something to be proud of at the end is a wonderful feeling. Maybe what I'm saying sounds like an art project, but what if I told you that it could be a completely creative STEM project? STEM activities aren't just science. They are a comprehensive way to experience multiple subject matters in a single sitting. Howtoons has taken this notion and created several STEM kits that promote critical thinking and exploration. Each Howtoons box contains all the materials you'll need to complete your project. Literally everything as you can see in the picture above. Even all the tools like the scissors! To me, that is like the golden phrase: Batteries are included. The instructions are designed to guide you through the steps and to promote creative problem solving. The coolest part of a Howtoons box is the included comic book. You may be asking why they'd … [Read more...]