Kathy G Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Anybody have good ideas for engineering giftsfor a TEEN girl? Something beyond goldie blocks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Hobby lobby and Michaels have very, very involved dollhouse sets, and you can get into wiring, sound effects, and the like for those, just as you do with model trains (actually, there's a lot of overlap between the hobbies) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcab Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Older or younger teen? What type of engineering were you thinking of, and what else does she like to do? Some ideas that may be completely off the mark: MAKE magazine VEX robotics kit or LEGO NXT (this was on my daughter's wish list when she was younger, though she didn't end up using it as much as I would have liked.) parts for an e-textile project (see for instance, this list of ideas: http://makezine.com/2010/04/06/geek-chic-massive-e-textiles-roundu/ also, I think I might need to send this link to my daughter: http://www.instructables.com/id/Sparkle-TuTu/ ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy G Posted November 21, 2013 Author Share Posted November 21, 2013 I had forgotten about MAKE - we actually own that! ;) This is for a 12 year old PG kid. Interests include construction type kits, models. She also LOVES genetics but I can't ever find a gift on that- except for CSI kits that are made for younger kids! She loves legos but doesn't like erector set and is tired of snap circuits. I have looked for some type of complicated human body model but was unsuccessful- so if anyone knows of ideas on that I would love it too. You guys are the best- I knew people would answer. Kathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Korrale Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Physics workshop? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 :lurk5: I bought Zometool Creator 3 for my kids (all six kids will have to share so I ordered the large set - at least the older four will play with it). I am hoping dd12 plays around with it. She is mildly interested in programming, though not as much as her brothers. She plays around on Scratch a bit. I'm tempted to get her a Raspberry Pi because she's been looking at the Python book we have but I might as well wait until she sees the one I will probably get for ds for his birthday. Maybe I should get her one of the Scratch add-ons that ds wanted - now what was it called again, LOL... this thing http://www.picocricket.com/picoboard.html (*sigh* do I have to order two? so many shared presents this year - lots of board games) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serendipitous journey Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 I recently heard the man behind Bigshot Camera speaking on NPR: might this be a good gift for her? The site provides the option for a great deal of education around the project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenNC Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 What specifically would make it "for girls" in your view? That might help in answering your question. In general, have you looked at Home Science Tools? Here's a list of their science kits 14+ http://www.hometrainingtools.com/gifts-for-ages-14-and-up/c/87/action/showall// . The hydrodynamic building set and Tekton building set look potentially interesting. Other ideas are: Lego Mindstorm robots, architecture kits (here's an Amazon page http://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Toys-Games-Architecture-Model-Kits/zgbs/toys-and-games/166110011), fischertechnik kits http://www.fischertechnik.de/en/Home/products/profi.aspx Amazon sample of engineering kits http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000899701 investigate Young Engineers of Today (http://youngengineersoftoday.com/) or Curiosity Hacked (formerly Hacker Scouts until the BSA had a snit) http://hacker-scouts.org/ IEEE Spark is a new quarterly online engineering magazine for 14-18 yos http://theinstitute.ieee.org/career-and-education/preuniversity-education/online-magazine-to-spark-engineering-interest-in-teens Hoagies Gifted site has a ton of links for engineering, physics and mechanics (there's a link there to their natural sciences page and other pages as well)---http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/physics.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Has she got a soldering iron? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennynd Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 http://www.upworthy.com/if-3-little-girls-did-this-to-my-house-id-do-everything-i-could-to-get-them-full-rides-to-stanford?c=ufb1&g=2 This is just a suggestion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennynd Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Nm... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 I started a thread about STEM products for girls this week, if you want to check out some of the ideas. Maybe Hummingbird would be a good fit for an older girl? http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/494912-does-anyone-have-experience-with-hummingbird-robotics-andor-can-we-discuss-stem-products-that-lure-in-girls/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancingmama Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Have you tried amightygirl.com website? They have some interesting things on there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy G Posted November 23, 2013 Author Share Posted November 23, 2013 Thanks for the suggestions! I am going with one from Alte Vests- the sew electric. But now I have tons of ideas for her birthday too. Does anyone have sew electric? Can you use the electronics in more than one project (some are $$) Kathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 Thanks for this thread! I think my dd just about to turn 13 is going to get Sew Electric and the Bigshot camera - those both look right up her alley! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephF Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Roominate? Geared towards girls 6-12. Maybe too young? http://www.amazon.com/Roominate-R2001-Basic/dp/B00D8VISGQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385350286&sr=8-1&keywords=roominate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Roominate? Geared towards girls 6-12. Maybe too young? http://www.amazon.com/Roominate-R2001-Basic/dp/B00D8VISGQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385350286&sr=8-1&keywords=roominate Thanks for posting - this might work for dd12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nan in Mass Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 I would definately look at a soldering iron and some of Make's little kits, especially the ones which are more animal/insect or musical instrument-like. *I* like making that sort of kit, but I am MUCH more interested in ones that produce walky/squeaky/flyy/organicy things than cary/mechanicaly things and I LOVE the ones that make some sort of musical instrument. You might also look for jewelry-making kits that involve soldering because these could be extended into adding light and sound, much like you can light or sound to clothing or backpacks. Origami is good. So is a sewing machine. Making your own patterns definately requires engineering skills. So does making dolls or puppets or animals. Learn-to-draw things are good. My nieces love the books that tell you how to make a purse from a coke can or iron together grocery bags to make a vest and other recycly type projects. Nan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest madeinuk Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 Check out the 'Raspberry Pi' barebones computers or Arduino robotics kits. Also for ideas/applications for them - look at makezine.com I have bright 8 year old girl but I am already gearing up and studying what's out there on the fringes of my 'futurescreen' :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkateLeft Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosepetal Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Hello Engineering Moms, I am interested in devising a Meaty curriculum for Maths,Science and Language Arts for future Engineers.... If you could share what did you use in Grades 6,7 and 8 for your kids... Thanks.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy G Posted January 29, 2014 Author Share Posted January 29, 2014 Rosepetal- I think you will have more answers if you start a new thread with a heading closer to what you are looking for. I will answer you there, and I am sure other moms will too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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