K'NEX Education - Computer Control: STEM Explorations Building Kit

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Price: $449.99    

Product Feature

• Students learn and practice programming skills with K'NEX models on screen
• Build fully functioning K'NEX models, design computer programs and use the K'NEX Computer Control Interface
• Builds 9 models: three Cars, Garage, Toll Booth, Swing Bridge, Amusement Park Ride, Programmable Safe and Hockey Goalie
• Compatible with interactive whiteboards and PCs
• For grades 5 to 9

Product Description

The K'NEX STEM Explorations set is designed for students to investigate a variety of concepts related to science, technology, engineering and math. The modules are hands-on, cooperative activities providing stimulating inquiry and problem solving through design. With the software, Interface, various input/output devices, motors, and K'NEX Rods and Connectors, the students will experience problem solving in design and automation using programming, construction techniques, and devices to help them understand how to program and operate computer controlled devices. The Teacher's Guide provides guidance to the teacher as they present a comprehensive STEM experience for their students with each and every lesson. Students will be given a specific problems, ask questions and conduct research using fair and consistent testing procedures, chart and analyze their data, refine solutions through feedback from their designs, and communicate their results. The set comes complete with 820 K'NEX� parts, enough to build 9 computer controlled models, one at a time, a K'NEX Interface and software (with site license), motors, push button switches, reed switches, a buzzer, and LEDs. Grades 5 - 9. Building instructions and teacher's guide aligned to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math standards included. Packaged in a strong storage tub with Snap-on lid. STEM Education focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics concepts taught through problem-solving, discovery, exploratory learning and critical thinking. STEM Education requires students to be active participants in the learning. K'NEX � models offer hands-on learning opportunities that encourage scientific inquiry, investigation and experimentation. Our inquiry-based lessons challenge students as they build, investigate, problem solve, discuss, and evaluate scientific and design principles in action. Aligned to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math standards

K'NEX Education - Computer Control: STEM Explorations Building Kit Review

I love kits that actually have some academic value and can truly be used for teaching. Most kits that I've ever used are far higher on the "fun" factor and pretty low on the educational content. This most definitely is an exception.

In fact, this is a bit overwhelming.

The easy part is that it is a plastic box filled with K'Nex parts, and lots of ideas for making some really cool projects. Once you construct something like the car (the first project, which is used in the first few lessons), you can go making endless numbers of modifications, to make it sturdier or to change up some of the design. My children (particularly the 7th and 9th graders) dug in and did a whole lot of that, and had countless discussions about how to best accomplish whatever they were trying to do.

I was busy trying not to be intimidated by the software and the various user guides/teacher guides. I love science, and I've learned to really like physics. But this still seemed pretty overwhelming.

Once I just jumped in and started -- finally -- I found that there is fabulous REAL science going on here. In the first lesson, you go to a website to read an article about fuel efficiency that explained the concepts in ways that everyone here (the two boys already mentioned, plus the 11th grader, and ME) was able to understand. The vocabulary was excellent. The experiments are not completely predictable, you know, kind of like real experiments.

The only drawback for me is really just the "overwhelmed" factor. I didn't quite know where to start, and I was confronted with all kinds of pages written in educationalese talking about how this meets various standards. That just intimidates me. I want to know what to do, where to start, how in the world to make it work. The standards charts are a distraction, though I would guess they are of value to classroom teachers. I wish they could be tucked into an appendix or something though.

You need a PC to run the software so you can program the controller. The software was easy to install, and once I found the correct user guide, all the programming stuff did start to come together.

Great product, for roughly 6th grade and up.

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