Rewind: 27 STEM kits from 2015

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

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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.

33 smart crowdfunding campaigns you may want to back this week

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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 two weeks. 

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RePhone

This open source, modular kit lets you build your own smartphone and give inanimate objects the power of cellular communication. Seeed Studio has already well surpassed its goal of $50,000 on Kickstarter.

MixStik

This lightsaber-like wand helps you whip up the perfect cocktail in a matter of seconds. Magnified Self has just hit their $39,000 Kickstarter goal.

JSW S+

This remote-controlled, camera-equipped robot not only cleans your house, it looks after it as well. JISIWEI Intelligent Tech is currently seeking $20,000 on Kickstarter.

Tempescope

This ambient display reproduces various weather conditions according to the forecast. Ken Kawamoto is currently seeking $398,000 on Indiegogo.

Cannybot

These DIY race cars can be assembled like LEGO and programmed from your smartphone. Cannybots has already well surpassed its $40,000 goal on Kickstarter.

Percko

This embedded undershirt teaches you how to have the right posture. Percko is close to tripling its initial $33,571 Kickstarter goal.

Pebblebee Stone

This remote can be attached to any surface or carried on the go to text friends, control music, snap selfies and more. Pebblebee has already doubled its $10,000 goal on Kickstarter.

Robo Wunderkind

This robotics kit allows you to build your own robot, have fun and pick up some basic coding skills along the way. Robo Wunderkind has already well surpassed its $70,000 Kickstarter goal.

EasyDrone XL Pro

This modular, plug-and-fly drone can stay in the air for 45 minutes on a single charge. Easy Aerial is currently seeking $30,000 on Kickstarter.

Zoom

This amphibious monitor goes wherever you go to measure your heart rate 24/7 — whether that’s while you’re resting, walking, running, biking, swimming or sleeping. LifeTrak is currently seeking $100,000 on Kickstarter.

The Crafty Robot

This paper toy robot is perfect for beginners — just plug it in via USB for 30 seconds, unplug it and away it goes. Ross Atkin is currently seeking $19,220 on Kickstarter.

See Sense ICON

This intelligent bike light packs anti-theft, crash alert and an array of other capabilities. See Sense has already doubled its Kickstarter goal of $36,836.

Forcite Alpine

This smart helmet for snow sport enthusiasts captures video, takes calls, streams music and more. Forcite Helmet Systems is currently seeking $200,000 on Kickstarter.

TurnCycle

This system consists of a wristband that wirelessly transmits hand gestures to an LED display mounted on a bicycle or the back of a rider. Gesture Controlled Products is currently seeking $110,000 on Kickstarter.

Balight

This customizable LED wheel display will light up the night as you pedal. Balight is currently seeking $30,000 on Indiegogo.

Ravean

This line of smart clothing delivers warmth without the bulk of multiple layers. Ravean is currently seeking $100,000 on Kickstarter.

BUZZ

This fun and adorable electronics kit grows with young Makers, from an instructional tutor to a friend they can program. Soldering Sunday is currently seeking $5,000 on Kickstarter.

Koto

This family of sensors keep tabs on your indoor environment and tells you when to make simple improvements around the house. Koto Labs is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

Orbbec Persee

This camera-ARM computer combination is ideal for building 3D apps and making 3D-printable scans. Orbbec is currently seeking $40,000 on Indiegogo.

Knobbee 32

This ergonomic, high-resolution MIDI controller boasts 32 knobs and an ATmega32U4 at its core. Knobtronix is currently seeking $36,392 on Kickstarter.

Smartlet

This smart gadget plugs into your existing wall outlet, providing you with Wi-Fi, fast USB and an LED nightlight. Smartlet has already well surpassed its goal of $10,000 on Indiegogo.

RelaxBox

This box will protect your network and any connected devices from outside attacks. RelaxInternet is currently seeking $11,196 on Kickstarter.

Strone Roam

This smart device enables you to make and receive calls/messages on your phone in another country while eliminating roaming charges. Strone Roam is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

speeC-EZ

This small unit pairs with your smartphone for hands-free, voice-controlled activities as you drive. iCreation is currently seeking $50,000 on Kickstarter.

LOONCUP

This connected menstrual cup enables women to track and analyze their biological cycles. LOON Lab is currently seeking $50,000 on Kickstarter.

Kerv

This smart ring lets you buy things with a single gesture anywhere in the world that accepts contactless payments. Kerv is currently seeking $118,182 on Kickstarter.

NFC Ring 2016 Range

This embedded piece of jewelry can be used to unlock doors, mobile devices, transfer information and link people. John McLear is currently seeking $86,388 on Kickstarter.

AEGIS

This pair of headphones ensures that audio output never exceeds a safe level, while also promising optimum sonic quality. 16-year-old Kingsley Cheng has reached his goal of $25,000 on Kickstarter.

SOS 20K

This rugged, portable solar battery will be there for you when you need it the most. SOS PowerBank has already well surpassed  its Kickstarter goal of $20,000.

Aquai Puck

This simple module attaches to your appliances and measures your water consumption. Aquai is currently seeking $15,000 on Indiegogo.

SesameTouch

This tiny companion makes your digital life more convenient and secure by storing all the data you need to acces your daily services. Trust Designer is currently seeking $112,544 on Kickstarter.

XKchrome

This LED lighting system illuminates your beloved motorcycle or car with millions of vivid colors and animated patterns. XK GLOW has already achieved its goal of $10,000 on Kickstarter.

StarterMate

This all-in-one 3D printing starter kit comes with an easy-to-use designing platform, tutorials, materials and finishing tools. Filamate is currently seeking $22,387 on Kickstarter.

HUI

This smart gizmo allows urban farmers and gardeners to properly measure crucial parameters for growing healthy plants in real-time. GROW & HELP is currently seeking $3,134 on Kickstarter.

REVAMPS

This breakout shield is a drop-in upgrade for 3D printers using a RAMPS 1.4 controller board. Jason Pasierski is currently seeking $27,000 on Kickstarter.

If your project is powered by Atmel MCUs and you’ve been featured on our blog, be sure to download the respective badges here for use in your ongoing marketing efforts. 

RePhone is the world’s first open source, modular smartphone

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Seeed Studio’s new kit enables Makers to create their own phone and hack inanimate things with the power of cellular communication.

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When it comes to electronics, the concept of modularity continues to rise in popularity — and rightfully so. Rather than have to endure the high cost of a new gadget every few years, you’ll soon be able to swap out individual parts and simply upgrade your existing device whenever necessary. Reminiscent of Google’s Project Ara, our friends over at Seeed Studio have joined the party by launching a Kickstarter campaign for a DIY smartphone made entirely from open source components.

Called RePhone, the modular kit enables you to create your own phone as well as hack other objects around you by giving them the power of cellular communication. Pretty cool, right? The unit itself is built around the RePhone GSM + BLE module, or the RePhone Core 3G module which provides faster data connection yet lacks Bluetooth. But that’s not all.

Seeed will offer an assortment of Xadow add-on modules, each with their own set of unique features. These include a 1.54” touchscreen, an Arduino-compatible MCU (ATmega32U4), a basic sensor board, a GPS board, an audio board, a 5×7 LED board, a GSM breakout board and an NFC board. These can be connected using an FPC cable (11 or 35 pin), soldered wires, conductive thread or a breadboard. Plus, the DIY device is powered a 520mAh battery.

Additionally, Seeed has unveiled a RePhone Create Kit, which lets you design and customize a phone enclosure out of kraft paper. This material is sewable, washable, and most importantly, easy to draw on. Makers will be able to personalize their cases in all sorts of shapes, colors and styles.

The modular gadget is indeed a fully-functional tool, which can be used like any other everyday phone to make and receive calls, send text messages, and play music. Seeed has devised Arduino, Lua and Javascript libraries, as well as a full power SDK based on Eclipse for C/C++ developers. What’s more, the RePhone can be programmed with IFTTT logic. This allows you to define and implement recipes for various actions, such as being notified if your dog wanders off or your bike gets lost.

“The modular design of RePhone brings limitless DIY possibilities. Those tiny neat blocks can be fit into a phone enclosure of any size, shape, or style you like,” Seeed Studio writes. “You can make your RePhone even cooler with different materials like leather, fabric and bamboo. Build a sturdy case with 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC and injection molding.”

To top it all off, the device is compatible with both the Arduino and Pebble. RePhone creates alternative ways to communicate with inanimate things in your physical world over GSM and 3G, whether that’s a walking cane phone for grandpa, a GPS pet collar, an interactive t-shirt or a rigged desk lamp. The possibilities are endless.

Ready to piece together your own RePhone? Although Seeed Studio has already completed its Kickstarter campaign, which garnered over $276,000, you can still pre-order yours today here.