As a mechanical engineer, I’ve always had a fascination with solving problems, and I’ve learned that the best problem solvers have a wide breadth of knowledge and skills to pull from. Modern students deserve exposure to an expansive range of technological concepts, so I’ve put together a list of my favorite engineering education products across a variety of disciplines!

Best Mechanical Engineering Product: Gecko Run by Thames and Kosmos

Mechanical engineers make things move! Thames and Kosmos have created their own twist on the classic marble run kit to teach basic engineering and physics concepts. Utilize the reusable nano-stick pads to attach tracks, loops, levers, and switches to a flat vertical surface like a window, wall, or mirror and let the physics races begin!

What I Love

Thames and Kosmos put so much thought and intention into the design of this kit.  The materials are high quality, and the instruction manual provides kids with the perfect amount of information to get started building their own marble track designs without stifling their creativity. I especially love the challenges at the end of the manual, providing specific prompts such as “use the components shown to build a run on which the marble travels for as much time as possible.” Constraints are the cornerstone of engineering!

What I’d Change:

Prior to using the marble run, the “gecko” adhesive pads must be peeled and attached to each individual component, which can take up to twenty minutes total. If the pads came pre-attached to the components, kids could start building marble tracks right out of the box!

Who is it for?

Elementary and middle school students, teachers, and parents! I’d even suggest this kit for a 9th grade physical science class.  Younger students can practice sketching, building, testing, and modifying simple “rollercoasters”, while older students can use formulas such as conservation of energy and velocity in order to calculate marble jump distances, momentum transfer, and more! It’s a great introduction to physics, mechanical engineering, and even biomimicry with the gecko-themed reusable adhesive pads!

Best Civil Engineering Product: Build a Better World by PCS Edventures

Civil engineers design our roads, bridges, and buildings. They also have to make sure all of these structures are safe during earthquakes, floods, storms, and more! PCS Edventures has designed an incredible hands-on 12-day camp that allows students to design and test their own civil engineering projects under a variety of exciting conditions!

What I Love

PCS Edventures’ attention to detail is unrivaled. They create teacher-tested kits that include everything you need to run a full camp workshop, from materials to instructor/student guides. Personally, my favorite camp activity is the DIY “shaketable” where students/instructors mount clipboards together separated by ping pong balls in order to mimic seismic activity. Students will love testing their structures’ integrity on these shake tables. 

What I’d Change:

This bundle is truly incredible for camps, after school programs, and more! If there was a way to purchase lessons/activities a-la-carte, sign me up!

Who is it for?

This kit is perfect for 4th-6th grade after school programs, clubs, and classrooms. It’s all-in-one. It’s relevant and engaging. And it’s the perfect introduction to Civil Engineering for young learners. 

Best Electrical Engineering Product: Mand Labs Magic of LED Kit V2

Electrical engineers design and test circuits that power our homes, computers, and gadgets! The Magic of LED kit is a terrific introduction to the world of circuit building. It combines real-world electrical components such as breadboards and resistors with simple, easy to follow instructions.

What I Love

I love analog electronics, and that’s what Mand Labs does best. You don’t need a computer to power or control any of these circuits. Simply use the included battery, breadboard, wires, resistors, LED’s, transistors, and capacitors to create a ton of different circuits ranging from a darkness-activated night light to a touch-activated switch.

What I’d Change:

This kit is very small and compact, which is a good thing! I just wish there was room in the box to include printed versions of the activity guides rather than needing to access them online. Then, these analog projects would truly be “computer free”!

Who is it for?

I would recommend this kit to middle and high school students that want to learn about electricity but don’t know where to start. I could also see robotics clubs/classes, makerspaces, and physics classrooms leveraging this kit to introduce basic circuits and breadboarding. The box says ages 4+, but the components are rather small so I would lean more towards an 8+ age rating.

Best Computer Science Engineering Product: micro:bit V2 GO

Computer Science Engineers write the programs that power robots, computers, and our favorite games! The micro:bit is the perfect introduction to computer science, but is so expandable that it can grow with students from elementary through high school.

What I Love

Affordable, durable, expandable, and jam-packed with features; the BBC micro:bit is my top pick for teaching CSE concepts at the middle and high school level.This product truly grows with your students. Beginners can program simple games and wearables by following the pre-written tutorials, while advanced learners can create custom video games using MakeCode Arcade!

What I’d Change:

Could they make a waterproof version for easy cleaning and sanitation? Other than that, I wouldn’t change a thing! Microsoft and the BBC hit a home run.

Who is it for?

Middle/high school makerspace and computer science teachers, rejoice! This product is ideal for introducing students to basic hardware and software concepts. Plus, it can control some complex projects with the addition of an expansion board. I’d even suggest gifting it to an interested student for a birthday or holiday, as the online resources are robust enough for individual learning.

Best Robotics Engineering Product: Hummingbird Bit Premium Kit

Robotics Engineers turn code into mechanical movement! I know, I know…. I already awarded the micro:bit in this post, but BirdBrain Technologies takes it to the next level with this robotics expansion kit! Now, students can use the micro:bit to control motors and sensors in order to create their own customized robotic creations.

What I Love

The Hummingbird Bit takes the micro:bit to the next level: simply plug the micro:bit into the breakout board, attach the power supply, and you can now control motors and sensors with a variety of coding languages. I’ve used other micro:bit robotics kits before, and they are either too complicated or too “prescribed”, but I feel that BirdBrain has found the perfect happy medium here.

What I’d Change:

In one sense, I love that BirdBrain does not provide structural components and encourages students to use paper, cardboard, and other upcycled materials for their creations. It would be nice, though, if the kit included some beams, axles, and connectors! 

Who is it for?

This is the perfect “intro to robotics” kit. I’d suggest using this in a middle school or early high school classroom to teach the basics of programming, sensing, and movement. It could also make an awesome gift for “engineering-minded” students at home that don’t mind open-ended building and exploration. Finally, a set of these would create a nice stockpile of components for a makerspace!

Meet the STEM Editor 

Joe Ryan is a Mechanical Engineer, Certified Math and Physics Teacher, Makerspace Educator, and Director of STEM Education at The Reimagined Classroom. He has authored thousands of cutting-edge lessons in disciplines such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and creative problem solving. He strives to bring equitable opportunities to K-12 STEM education through playful emerging technology courses, empowering professional development workshops, and state-of-the-art app development. In his words: “I believe every person has the ability to create something beautiful, helpful, or both: we just need the creative confidence to realize it.”

For this awards series, Joe has been contracted by STEMFinity to test and provide honest feedback on a variety of products.