Give the gift of knowledge and exploration this holiday season through the Elizabethtown College School of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) 2023 Holiday Gift Guide! Our ECS faculty offered suggestions on fun, STEM-focused toys, books, and games that promote learning and help engage children or teens in engineering and computer science thinking and design.
In the spirit of Etown’s Educate for Service motto, gifts featured in this guide were purchased and donated to local children as part of the Elizabethtown College Center for Community and Civic Engagement (CCCE) and Student Assembly’s annual Angel Tree gift-giving initiative.
View holiday gift recommendations by Etown School of ECS faculty below:
Magna-Tiles Magnetic Construction Set
Magna-Tiles are geometric shapes with bright and vivid colors that connect using magnets. The shapes can stack vertically and horizontally to make different creations. Kids of all ages can learn their shapes and colors as well as matching and basic building skills.
“A twist on the classic block-building set that is highly durable and colorful, my daughter has spent many hours happily creating and building while also learning spatial reasoning skills, some basic principles of mechanics, and imagination and creativity,” Dean of the School of ECS and Professor of Engineering and Physics, Dr. Sara Atwood said.
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Lateral Thinking Puzzlers by Paul Sloan
Ranging in difficulty, this collection of nearly 100 puzzles requires mental agility while offering challenging, imaginative fun.
“So much of formal schooling develops skills that involve linear thinking processes,” Lecturer in Physics Dr. Judson (Jud) Wagner said. “However, STEM professionals in the real world are more successful when they can easily change their perspective on problems and learn more when ideas don’t pan out. Paul Sloan’s lateral thinking puzzles are naturally fun, accessible to anyone with an imagination, and improve interpersonal and communication skills.”
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Snap Circuits Classic – Electronics Exploration Kit
More than 300 projects can be built with this snap circuits kit, including AM radios, burglar alarms, and doorbells. Each part is mounted on a plastic module and snaps together, requiring no tools.
“This is a great tool for introducing circuitry to kids aged 8-10,” Associate Professor of Engineering Dr. Brenda Read-Daily said.
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Think Fun Robot Turtles STEM Toy and Coding Board Games
Robot Turtles is a fun game that gives preschoolers a jumpstart on programming, coding functions, and thinking skills. The entire family can participate, moving their robot turtles around a game board to reach a prize jewel.
“My son loves playing this game and it helps him practice his logic and algorithmic thinking,” Associate Professor of Computer Science Dr. Peilong Li said.
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Estes Rocket Taser Launch Set
This easy-to-assemble set features a 17-inch tall build-it-yourself rocket launch that can fly to heights of more than 1,100 feet. It features a one-piece body tube, plastic fin set, and nose cone, along with a 12-inch parachute to ensure a safe landing.
“I grew up in a STEM/STEAM family and enjoyed launching rockets. Rocket kits are easy to assemble and can be a fun learning experience for everyone,” Associate Professor of Engineering & Computer Science Dr. Joseph Wunderlich said.
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Getting Started with Circuit Playground Express Book Bundle
This book bundle teaches beginners how to use microcontrollers with Microsoft MakeCode and CircuitPython. The kit comes with everything readers need to complete the projects outlined in the book, with reusable components to build on what users have learned.
“This is a great open-ended kit that allows you to create some pre-set pieces, but also explore and try your own designs,” Professor of Engineering and Physics Dr. Kurt DeGoede said.
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Snap Circuit Skill Builder Science Kit
This kit empowers kids to make dozens of electronic gadgets, including an auto-off daylight switch, a dancing motor, and a lighted tripwire alarm. Users can create a super circuit with music, alarm sounds, and LED lights in one circuit.
“This kit provides a step-by-step guide for fun and challenging STEM/STEAM learning,” Assistant Professor of Computer Science Dr. Jingwen Wang said. “Kids can learn about electronics while developing analytical and problem-solving skills.”
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