Rewind: 27 STEM kits from 2015

---

These STEM toys from 2015 are helping to inspire the next generation of Makers.

---

STEM education has been a growing venture in schools across the country, with even the President himself making it a priority to encourage students as young as grade-school to pursue the science, technology, engineering and math disciplines. After all, these fields are changing the world rapidly within the areas of innovation, economic growth and employment. But let’s face it; these subjects don’t come easy to everyone, so how do we instill STEM in kids?

With this in mind, many startups have sought out new and exciting ways to entice the younger generation to explore their creativity and develop an interest in hands-on learning. Testament to that, here are several products from 2015 looking to inspire the next generation of Makers.

littleBits Gizmos & Gadgets

The Gizmos & Gadgets Kit is the ultimate invention toolbox, complete with motors, wheels, lights , switches, servos, buzzers and even the tools to build a remote control.

Jewelbots

Jewelbots are programmable friendship bracelets that teach girls the basics of coding.

Thimble

Thimble is a monthly subscription service that delivers fun electronic projects with guided tutorials and a helpful community.

Touch Board Starter Kit

Bare Conductive’s Touch Board Starter Kit contains everything you need to transform surfaces, objects or spaces into sensors.

Makey Makey GO

Small enough to fit on your keychain, backpack or bracelet, Makey Makey GO turns everyday objects into touchpads and combines them with the Internet. Say hello to the world’s first invention kit.

RePhone

RePhone from Seeed Studio allows Makers to create a phone themselves in minutes and hack a new way to communicate with things.

mBot

mBot is an all-in-one, Arduino-compatible robot that supports wireless communication and employs Scratch 2.0-like coding.

Ringo

Ringo is a miniature digital pet robot equipped with an accelerometer, a gyrosocope, six RGB LEDs, as well as sound and communication sensors.

Wink

Wink is an Arduino-driven robot designed to help transition students from graphical programming to more powerful written code languages. It’s also the sibling of the aforementioned Ringo.

Kano

Kano is a computer and coding kit for all ages that’s as simple as LEGO, powered by Raspberry Pi.

Primo Cubetto

Primo Cubetto is a smart wooden robot designed to teach kids the basics of coding away from the screen.

Petduino

Petduino puts a DIY twist on the old-school Tamagotchi.

STEMI

STEMI is a hexapod that can be built right at home and controlled via smartphone.

mCookie

mCookies are quarter-sized, stackable modules from Microduino that enable young Makers to bring their LEGO projects to life.

Modulo

Modulo is a set of tiny modular circuit boards that takes the hassle out of electronics.

The Crafty Robot

The Crafty Robot is a paper toy unlike any other — plug it into a USB port for 30 seconds, unplug it and you’ve got a moving robot.

Kamigami

Kamigami is an origami-style robot you can construct and program by yourself. Each one can be configured with a unique set of behaviors and characteristics through a drag-and-drop interface.

Phiro

Phiro is a LEGO-compatible robotics toy that children can play with, code and innovate in various ways.

Quirkbot

With Quirkbot, young Makers can devise and configure quirky robots (hence its name), blinking outfits and weird sounding creatures out of regular drinking straws.

Cannybots

Cannybots are LEGO-compatible, smart toy cars that introduce kids to the worlds of robotics, programming and 3D printing.

3DRacers

3DRacers is a Mario Kart-like indoor racing game that lets anyone design and 3D print their own car.

Volta Flyer

Volta Flyer is the world’s first DIY airplane kit that is solely powered by the sun.

Roby

Roby is a 3D-printed robotic machine that not only drives on four wheels, but can walk on two. If it falls, it can even pick itself up again with its pair of arms.

O Watch

O Watch is a DIY smartwatch for a kid, by a kid.

LocoRobo

LocoRobo is a cute, inexpensive robot capable of being wirelessly programmed.

KamiBot

KamiBot is a programmable, smartphone-controlled paper robot.

Pixel Pals

Pixel Pals are easy-to-build, fun educational kits that grow from a project to a friend you can program.

Fiat Lux

Fiat Lux is an Arduino-compatible kit specifically designed for unique wearable projects.

AZIBOt

AZIBOt is an open source, 3D-printed robot kit for STEM education in Africa.

28 smart crowdfunding campaigns you may want to back this week

---

Every Friday, we’re taking a look at some of the smartest, most innovative projects that caught our attention on Kickstarter and Indiegogo over the last seven days. 

---

Eora 3D

This high-precision 3D scanner is entirely powered by your smartphone, allowing you to capture physical objects and turn them into high-quality digital models. Eora 3D has already well exceeded its goal of $80,000 on Kickstarter.

The Things Network

This crowdsourced, LoraWAN-based IoT network will let developers build smart cities in just weeks. The Things Network is currently seeking $170,036 on Kickstarter.

Kamigami

This DIY kit gives Makers the ability to create and program their own origami-inspired, lightning-fast robots. Dash Robotics is currently seeking $50,000 on Kickstarter.

Revolights Eclipse

This set of wheel-mounted, Bluetooth-enabled bike lights are taking cycling safety to the next level. Revolights has already surpassed its $26,000 goal on Indiegogo.

BEDDI

This intelligent alarm clock/speaker integrates with a variety of apps like Spotify, Uber and Google Maps, as well as smart home appliances. Witti has blown right past its initial Kickstarter goal of $25,000.

MiniBrew

This all-in-one, countertop brewing machine makes it simple to craft and experiment with your own beer recipes at home. MiniBrew is currently seeking $100,000 on Indiegogo.

VOYO

This plug-in module transforms your old clunker into a smart car, increasing driver safety, convenience and fuel efficiency. VOYO is currently seeking $50,000 on Kickstarter.

TinyBoy 2

This affordable, easy-to-assemble 3D printer is geared towards the classroom and encouraging kids to become Makers. TinyBoy is currently seeking $30,000 on Indiegogo.

Nuzzle

This connected collar sends real-time location updates directly to an accompanying mobile app, providing you with your pet’s whereabouts via GPS. Nuzzle is currently seeking $75,000 on Indiegogo.

PhoneDrone Ethos

This device gives your smartphone wings, allowing you to deploy your iPhone or Android phone as an autonomous aerial camera. xCraft is currently seeking $100,000 on Kickstarter.

Remi

This smart, customizable companion goes to sleep with your little one and wakes up with them in the morning, ensuring they stay in bed until it’s time to get up. Remi is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

ACPAD

This wireless MIDI controller offers access to hundreds of instruments, sound effects and loops by placing it on any acoustic guitar’s surface. Robin Sukroso has already quadrupled his goal of $45,435 on Kickstarter.

ZUS

This smart car charger not only powers up your electronics at twice the speed of others, it’ll also help you find your car with its mobile app. nonda has surpassed its asking goal of $10,000 on Indiegogo.

Ember

This Bluetooth-embedded mug lets you sip your coffee or tea at the perfect temperature for up two hours, or all day when used with its charging coaster. Ember Technologies has already doubled its goal of $50,000 on Indiegogo.

Beagle

This range of sensors can be placed throughout your home, giving you easy-to-understand information so you can take steps to improve your health. Beagle Sense is currently seeking $50,065 on Kickstarter.

Athena

This smart accessory for women emits a loud alarm when pressed, while sending text messages to loved ones with the wearer’s location. ROAR just hit their $40,000 goal on Indiegogo.

Sculpto

This 3D printer empowers families to make their own toys together right from home, with just a press of a button on their smartphone. Sculpto is currently seeking $22,835 on Kickstarter.

ORA-X

This Android computer in the form of stylish headphones lets you play music, launch apps, navigate menus and take pics via its touchpad or voice commands. Optinvent is currently seeking $150,000 on Indiegogo.

SleepPhones

This earphones-equipped headband allows you to listen to music as you sleep for up to 13 hours on a single charge. AcousticSheep has tripled its original $10,000 goal on Kickstarter.

Starling

The little wearable gadget tracks the number of words your child says and hears each day to help boost their IQ. Starling has garnered well over its $30,000 Indiegogo goal.

Wearable Camera for Athletes

This first-of-its-kind, ultra-light wearable sports camera system is designed for athletes, by athletes, to help gain valuable insight and share cool highlights. Shea Kewin and Tim Priamo are currently seeking $30,962 on Kickstarter.

QUBE

This portable Bluetooth speaker boasts four full-range drivers in front with two passive subwoofer dishes in the back to provide an audio experience like no other. Matrix Audio is currently seeking $38,682 on Kickstarter.

CLIKI

This smart button gives you a one-touch shortcut to the smartphone features you use most, whether it’s snapping selfies, sending emergency alerts, playing some tunes or triggering voice commands. CLIKI is currently seeking $35,000 on Indiegogo.

ePint Beer Mug

This LED and sensor-laden mug will illuminate your team’s favorite colors whenever they score, as well as light up when you’re in need of a refill. Xtreme Tech is currently seeking $50,000 on Kickstarter.

Goldilocks Analogue

This board is bringing sophisticated audio capabilities to the Arduino environment. Phillip Stevens is currently seeking $5,821 on Kickstarter.

OhBot

This DIY robot kit features a graphical software interface that lets children learn programming and computational thinking. OhBot is currently seeking $15,475 on Kickstarter.

iKommunicate

This on-board gateway and server enables traditional NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 marine electronic equipment to interface with the newly-developed, open source Signal K platform. Digital Yacht is currently seeking $20,000 on Kickstarter.

Did you happen to miss last week’s notable campaigns? If so, you can check them out here.

Meet the world’s first DIY origami robot

---

With Kamigami, engineering is for everyone. Build your own bug bot and then control it with your phone. 

---

STEM education has been a growing venture in schools across the country, with even the President himself making it a priority to encourage students as young as grade-school to pursue the science, technology, engineering and math disciplines. After all, these fields are changing the world rapidly within the areas of innovation, economic growth and employment. But let’s face it; these subjects don’t come easy to everyone, so how do we instill STEM in kids? A team of UC Berkeley graduates found a way to pique children’s interests, while also inspiring the next generation of Makers. Meet Kamigami, an origami-style robot you can build and program by yourself — no engineering degree necessary.

Kamigami is the brainchild of Dash Robotics, a startup founded by Berkeley engineers Nick Kohut and Andrew Gillies. The company firmly believes in STEM education, and that the power of innovating is for everyone. Kamigami was created with this belief in notion, and it has proven to be an educational and affordable way for kids to get an early start in robotics, engineerin and biology.

Now live on Kickstarter, these robots come in a DIY kit comprised of laser-cut body components, a motor, a transmission, a rechargeable battery, a microUSB port, and plug-and-play electronics. The assembly takes less than an hour and instructional videos online shows you how it comes together. Plus, the robot’s behavior can be programmed and controlled all through Kamigami’s accompanying mobile app (for iOS and Android).

Each Kamigami can be configured with a unique set of behaviors and characteristics through a drag-and-drop interface, opening up a range of possible modes that take advantage of the robot’s integrated sensors and functions. So what type of games is it capable of? For starters, sumo wrestling (first to fall of a table loses), relay races (one robot can’t run until it’s tagged by another), tank battles (take turns trying to get into firing position) and IR laser tag, to name just a few.

And unlike other DIY robotic kits before it, biology comes into play in the automation of each Kamigami. In fact, the bots take into account animals and mimics their locomotion through its built-in linkages and motors. The robot’s chassis is made of a patent-pending material (an extremely durable plastic composite) that allows it to fold up through an origami-like process. This material doesn’t fatigue or wear, which makes for a more durable robot.

The mechanics of the robot itself are custom designed, and packed with processing power and sensors. The main microprocessor features a Cortex-M0 core and a Bluetooth Smart radio. Plus, the cockroach-ish unit is packed with an array of sensors including ambient light, infrared detectors and emitter, a gyroscope and an accelerometer. The electronics also entail motor drivers, charging circuitry and an accessory header for expandability. The infrared emitter and detectors enable each bot to send and receive signals from its mobile app, as well as communicate with other Kamigamis. The gadget runs on a rechargeable battery, with about 30-45 minutes of play time.

Sound like a bug bot you’d love to have? Crawl over to its Kickstarter campaign, where Dash Robotics is currently seeking $50,000. Delivery is expected to get underway in March 2016.