(Part 3) Best learning & education toys according to redditors

I think this is it in action.

And another user pointed out that this is the amazon link. I might get one myself, kinda cool!

I'll use it to power my Galaxy Note 5! /s

https://www.amazon.com/Pathfinders-Hydraulic-Machines-Platform-Excavator/dp/B00192MFDS/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=science+kit+excavator&qid=1556355070&s=gateway&sr=8-3
https://www.amazon.com/Thames-Kosmos-Air-Water-Power/dp/B003KZ0Q4C/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=science+kit+excavator&qid=1556355109&s=gateway&sr=8-4

https://www.google.com/search?q=syringe+excavator&oq=syringe+excavator&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i60l2j0l3.7927j0j4&client=ms-android-verizon&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

Amazon Link

I highly recommend the Hakko 936 soldering iron Hakko 888 soldering iron, which is still actually available. It's hard to fathom how a $100 soldering iron could be that much better than a $20 one, but once you start doing anything more serious than just sticking some wires together, it's worth it.

As for other tools,

• Standard needle nose, dikes, and pliers set
  
• Tweezers - Additionally plastic ones if you're going to do PCB etching.
  
• Dental Picks - for positioning surface mount parts and pushing wires into molten solder.
  
• Wire strippers - You'll often see people using the combo wire stripper / crimpers. They're not as nice as a real pair of strippers.
  
• +/-12V power supply for basic analog electronics, 5V for digital work
  
• Breadboard
  
• Solder sucker - Copper braid is useful for the same thing, but given the choice of the two, I prefer the sucker to undo soldered joints.
  
• 30x Jewelers Loupe - Mostly useful for surface mount work, but pretty much all soldering is easier when you're able to look at it.
  
  As for components, I've been buying them piece-meal for years, so other's will probably be able to yield you a better recommendation for kits than anything I can find just from a quick search. I do mostly digital work, so as far as passives, my main stock is:
  
  
• 0.1uF and 100uF capacitors, 25V
  
• 100, 330, 1k, 4.7k, 10k, 100k, 1M resistors
  
  If I need any other resistor for a specific project, I'll tend to just buy an extra 10 and keep them in labeled coin envelopes.
  
  Random other pieces:
  
  
• Precut Breadboard jumper wires
  
• 7805 - 1A 5V linear regulators
  
• 1N4007 diodes
  
• 1N4148 small signal diodes
  
• 3V linear regulators if you do low power work (MSP430, etc)
  
• An Arduino - If not for real projects, I use this a lot to hack together crude digital signal generators to test other chips.
  
• LEDs - I found a good deal on bright red ones, but any will do
  
• push buttons, power switches, DIP switches (4 in a tiny package that fits in breadboards)
  
• Copper clad perf board - To make through-hole projects permanent. Be careful because this also comes without the copper pads, which is just more of a pain in the ass to use.
  
• Copper Solder braid
  
  Edit: Fixed the soldering iron model.
  
  Disclaimer: I'm using my Amazon Associate links for all of these, which always feel a little amoral and a conflict of interest, but really, if my apartment were to go up in flames and I could afford it, I'd buy every link on this list right now. Does anyone have strong opinions one way or the other on using them?

It's not a myth, it's fact: https://www.amazon.com/4M-4568-Potato-Clock/dp/B001T8OFQM

Sunnytech Mini Hot Air Stirling Engine Motor

Elenco Tyrannosaurus on Amazon. Link

You can also go to Edu-Toys where they have this, a Velociraptor, and a Brachiosaurus.

The planets are from a Solar System set by 4M and I painted them.

Arduino and Rasberry Pi are two embedded system ecosystems that have big communities and support. You could get a newb kit and start from there.

Also, back in the day, it used to be all about analog electronics. I had the "Getting Started in Electronics" Radio Shack book by Forrest Mimms, and a 50-in-1 experiment board.. Super fun.

If I wanted to make something computer-y / motor-y, I would probably make a track-running inverted pendulum to freak out the squares...

I have a ton of these tangle toys and I love them. They definitely keep me from being destructive and are easy to take in public.

Magic Rocks

You didn't specify life size

> This is traditionally known as an external combustion engine in contrast to an internal combustion engine where the heat input is by combustion of a fuel within the body of the working fluid. Unlike the steam engine's use of water in both its liquid and gaseous phases as the working fluid, the Stirling engine encloses a fixed quantity of permanently gaseous fluid such as air or helium. As in all heat engines, the general cycle consists of compressing cool gas, heating the gas, expanding the hot gas, and finally cooling the gas before repeating the cycle. -- from purchase link below

• watch via u/All_I_feel_is_rage
  
• purchase via u/Meeager

Here's a similar kit on Amazon. http://www.amazon.ca/Pathfinders-Hydraulic-Machines-Platform-Excavator/dp/B00192MFDS this often gets posted crediting the kid for building it, definitely a cool toy though.

It shows this product, found the review

Good Point!

https://smile.amazon.com/Oakland-Ballistics-Wooden-Trebuchet-Kit/dp/B004080576?sa-no-redirect=1

Get the pre-made wires and don't bend them. The lengths provided are at breadboard sized increments and will fit without bending.

I've searched and can't find the original news story, this happened before they sold them online. (Presumably what made the idea take off)
This is the one you can get off Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Pathfinders-Hydraulic-Machines-Platform-Excavator/dp/B00192MFDS
If you notice in this clip, the kid made the wooden part out of something that used to be something else. Also, syringes basically all look the same, you can't really go off that and tubes.

THIS IS AWESOME AND I WANT IT.

In theory yes. In reality, you would need so many batteries to do any good. You can pick up a small tumbler for around 40$ I have one myself, and think it’s awesome! I’m working on an idea with a 55 gallon drum, however the noise would be hellacious. Lame part is waiting like a month to go through all the different grits to make em shine. I’ll plop this here.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I56RV0C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_SlxQCb675V0DA

Uno project smart robot car Code: ILOVEUFV
DIY Spider Robot Code: US2XVSLG

http://www.amazon.com/Toysmith-441709-Eulers-Spinning-Disk/dp/B000239E6Q/

First of all props to you to introduce your son to electronics and ask to find a good method for him to learn it out of interest.

I remember having electronics kits which had a bunch of simple components connected by those metal spring terminals. They often came with booklets to go step by step through simple projects to gain some understanding.

Perhaps you could look at toy shops and see if they carry some educational electronics kits? I remember book shops also sold them though I'm not sure if they'd still.

I found this on Amazon, seems a bit different with magnets snapping together but looks like it goes step by step in explaining: https://www.amazon.com/Snap-Circuits-SC-300-Electronics-Discovery/dp/B0000683A4/. Looks a bit expensive but not sure if that's different in the US.

Oh boy I even found one of those kits with the spring terminals: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000IUD2

Best of luck!

These cubes are reasonably priced and all you need for early to mid stage prototypes.

This one is beautiful: assemble and paint your own solar system model! There are Instructables for proper moving orreries, but the materials are pricey.

> Noone here is saying that this would substitute a formal education with more advanced tools

>overly complicated.

You're building a strawman here. Breadboards are not "overly complicated." They're actually quite simple and extremely versatile. If you ask me, the pen is overly complicated as it only really solves the problem of using a piece of wire. You still need a way to connect the wire, so they're promoting using magnets which to me is very clumsy and much more fragile than a breadboard.

If you're really that scared of wire, just buy a pre-cut wire kit. You can even re-use it when you're done!

The only "feature" of this pen is that it lets you draw which actually distracts from any educational benefit of the device.

I believe it's this one

She might enjoy this: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Starter Rock Tumbler Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I56RV0C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ugN8Bb26CR0H1

The link by RKNFXX shows excellent examples what to aim for, I know you said you’re new to soldering, so I highly suggest buying a practice board before attempting again.

Quick advice, dial it back on the amount of solder you use, it looks like you’re globbing onto iron tip then lowering onto the contact points (just a guess) it’s better to hold the iron tip on to the pad (and if you can, slightly touching the pin legs) and then feed a bit of solder onto the pad until you get a small cone shape. Do not keep the soldering iron on any surface for more then 3 seconds — if it takes longer to melt the solder then you’re iron isn’t hot enough yet.

Practice boards:
WHDTS 4-Digit Digital Clock Kits with PCB for Soldering Practice Learning Electronics with English Instructions https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0711MHKDZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7nf7CbRRH12A3

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F392121560808

Well, a love for Dr Stone is a love for science. I don't know how old your brother is, but when I was a kid in the 90's science kits were way more common. I've seen some in Walmart and there's this $5 store called 5 below that has some but I'll look on Amazon and see what relevant kits I can find.

here's a telescope for $33. Senku's thing is space. Space is awesome. You may also consider seeing if your local college has a telescope, I was surprised to find out that mine does and it's open to the public!

Here's a crystal growing kit. Chrome loves rocks.

Here's a microscope and here's the one I lusted after after I saw one on TechTV Screensavers $18 so cheap now! Tempting...

Electronics kit!! I had one of these! My parents threw it away because they said I was obsessive about it.. now I watch Big Clive tear apart garden lights... Senku make a radio too, which I think you can make a crystal AM radio with this kit if I remember correctly.

This 4D shark model (actually now I want it...damn Amazon).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008J5551M/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000JSGLBK/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000239E6Q/

There are entire websites/blogs devoted to science toys.

Sometimes something as simple as a pair of large superstrong magnets makes a lovely Christmas gift for a responsible boy or girl. http://unitednuclear.com/index.php

Also useful: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F8VB4G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It looks like you're set up as far as it goes for electronics (projectors, a TV, and hopefully at least one computer) so I wouldn't waste any money there. Look for things that are reusable and don't have a high cost of upkeep.

Basics

First and foremost set aside some money for classroom basics that will be useful for any type of science lab.

• Safety goggles
  
• Good quality rulers
  
• Tape measures
  
• Stopwatches
  
• Duct tape
  
• Wire clips
  
• Cheap multimeters
  
• Battery chargers
  
  Life Sciences
  
  This is probably the cheapest subject to teach since a lot of the things you'll cover can be grown in coffee cans and mason jars. You'll need flower pots, some spades, watering cans, and some grow lights if you don't have good natural lighting. You can do simple and cheap projects like a tabletop biosphere with some mason jars. You should probably get one decent microscope with a camera you can hook up to a computer or directly to a projector. The students don't need to learn to use a microscope, they need to learn about whatever you're looking at with the microscope.
  
  Physical Sciences
  
  If you want to teach the kids electronics buy this whole series of books and several of these bad boys. The Electronic Playgrounds are fantastic for teaching basic electronics because they don't need any soldering, are very versatile, and best of all reusable. If you lose some of the wire they come with just clip your own. IIRC the instruction booklet gives all the gauges different wires.
  
  Earth/Space Sciences
  
  These sciences are larger in scale and scope than you might be able to demonstrate in the classroom. You might buy a cheap weather station and make a project out of keeping track of the readings. Over the years students will be able to compare their measurements to those of classes made years prior. This is also a place where decent software or just some good imagery will help teach the subject.
  
  Check out the following sites for some idea for experiments/demonstrations/activities and then work backwards from there. Figure out what you would need to perform experiments you think will fit your lesson plans and then build a shopping list. There's a multitude of science demonstration projects you can do very inexpensively. If you're smart with your money you can fund your science lab for the next few years even if you've got to spend all the money right now.
  
  Exploratorium Science Explorer
  PBS Kids Science Experiments
  Hands-on Activities for Teaching Biology to High School or Middle School Students
  National Geographic Lesson Plans
  Scientific American Bring Science Home
  
  
  Get a class subscription to Make magazine, National Geographic, Astronomy Magazine and whatever else seems appropriate. Build a small science library in the classroom. Get some good science oriented DVDs. As a practical matter you might also want to get a nice locking cabinet to store whatever nice new things you end up buying. It would be horrible to spend your grant money only to have all your new expensive equipment stolen by some asshole.

The box says "Edu-toys" but the Amazon pagesays "elenco.

I got it for $65 2 days ago. I had been watching for months for the right price. I've seen it for as high as $130.

I'm Canadian obviously but I found it on Amazon.com for ya.

Did you use these by chance to do the Patina?

More Info：DIY Spider Robot Building Kits

Google the Pathfinders kits. Their kits demonstrating hydraulics are fantastic.

1.[A cobalt blue mixer for all of your baking needs.] (https://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KSM150PSBU-Artisan-Pouring-Shield/dp/B00005UP2Q/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1525043431&sr=8-13&keywords=blue)

2.[Nothing says summer like sunscreen!] (https://www.amazon.com/Banana-Boat-Performance-Spectrum-Sunscreen/dp/B00B81XR1Y/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1525043593&sr=1-5&keywords=sunscreen)

3.[ A hot dog slicer in the shape of a dog.] (https://www.amazon.com/Banana-Boat-Performance-Spectrum-Sunscreen/dp/B00B81XR1Y/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1525043593&sr=1-5&keywords=sunscreen)

4.[ I'd love to gift this record player to someone simply because it is awesome!] (https://www.amazon.com/Victrola-Bluetooth-Suitcase-Turntable-Speakers/dp/B076JV6ZM8/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1525043902&sr=1-3&keywords=record+player)


5.[ I think that everyone should read the complete harry potter series for an adventure that will last.] (https://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Paperback-Box-Books/dp/0545162076/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1525044043&sr=1-11&keywords=harry+potter)

6. A nifty book of christmas songs for the low price of 0.99

7.[ A fancy dog bed, so your dog can rest comfortably!] (https://www.amazon.com/Best-Friends-Sheri-OrthoComfort-20x20x12/dp/B008GQV004/ref=sr_1_16?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1525044898&sr=1-16&keywords=dog+bed)

8.[ These llamas don't really have a use, but they are stinking cute!] (https://www.amazon.com/NOVICA-Llama-Couple-Ceramic-Statuettes/dp/B01M01J4XL/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1525045051&sr=8-6&keywords=llama+statue)

9.[I think everyone should watch wonder and realize that it is totally okay to be different.] (https://www.amazon.com/Wonder-Julia-Roberts/dp/B07894ZBDN/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1525045156&sr=8-4&keywords=wonder)

10.[ A lifestraw would surely come in handy during a zombie attackas you are still going to need uncontaminated water to drink.] (https://www.amazon.com/LifeStraw-Personal-Emergency-Preparedness-LSPHF017/dp/B006QF3TW4/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1525045256&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=lifestraw&psc=1)

11.[ This yoga mat will totally help me achieve my fitness goals for this year!] (https://www.amazon.com/Sivan-Health-Fitness-2-InchExtra-Exercise/dp/B00UXXF734/ref=sr_1_17?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1525045361&sr=1-17&keywords=yoga)

12.[ Add on items can be the worst or the best. Whatever your opinion on them you are going to love this hair mask!] (https://www.amazon.com/Garnier-Fructis-Strengthening-Treat-Minute/dp/B074V4TGW9/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1525045564&sr=8-3&keywords=garnier%2Bhair%2Bmask&th=1)

13.[A harry potter funko for those in love with the world of wizards and magic!] (https://www.amazon.com/Funko-Quidditch-Harry-Potter-Figure/dp/B010OOSBMK/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1525045675&sr=1-1&keywords=harry+potter+funko)

14.[A cabinet set for the low price of 13000. What a deal!] (https://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Rosewoo-Noodle-Cabinets-Acs1500/dp/B004WLU2LA/ref=sr_1_1?s=furniture&ie=UTF8&qid=1525046163&sr=1-1&refinements=p_36%3A1000000-99999999)

15.[ A shark anatomy model that will show you the inner workings of your favorite aquatic species!] (
https://www.amazon.com/Vision-Great-White-Shark-Anatomy/dp/B001YIT1YI/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1525046239&sr=8-5&keywords=shark)

16.[ This is honestly the best candle ever! Who doesn't love the smell of fresh apples?!] (https://www.amazon.com/Yankee-Candle-Large-Jar-Macintosh/dp/B007FSDIJA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525046342&sr=8-1&keywords=apple+yankee+candle)

18.[I think a nice journal would be helpful for writes to jot down their ideas quickly.] (https://www.amazon.com/Tree-Life-Leather-W-Cord/dp/B00A5T35JY/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1525046405&sr=1-4&keywords=leather+journal)

19.[ For some strange reason I am currently obsessed with pins! There are so many different ones, but I think this is my favorite one!] (
https://www.amazon.com/Night-Owl-Paper-Goods-Sloth/dp/B072KLVW8B/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1525046480&sr=1-3&keywords=enamel+pin)

20.[ I mean who doesn't want a tacocat on a hamburger in their bathroom?!] (https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Bathroom-Space-Shower-Curtain/dp/B01834W4H6/ref=sr_1_13?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1525046532&sr=1-13&keywords=Cat+in+space)

Here, try attaching these to your computer, it should speed things up a bit.

Learning cubes for generic cubes.

get him something educational or tickets for the zoo or the aquarium :3 this would seem cool for to a 6 year old

>How does a potato know what time it is?

You never heard of a potato clock?

Using cubes instead of beads will go a long way: https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Centimeter-Cubes-1000/dp/B000F8VB4G/

http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-Electronic-Playground-Learning-Center/dp/B0035XSZDI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412479994&sr=8-1&keywords=Electronic+kit

http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-Electronics-Snap-Circuits-Snaptricity/dp/B0013BL3LK/ref=sr_1_38?ie=UTF8&qid=1412480035&sr=8-38&keywords=Electronic+kit

http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-EP-50-Electronic-Playground-50-in-one/dp/B00000IUD2/ref=pd_sim_t_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=0KPKE2ZHBDF256TN2M8K

http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-EP-50-Electronic-Playground-50-in-one/dp/B00000IUD2/ref=pd_sim_t_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=0KPKE2ZHBDF256TN2M8K

I had the Electronic Playground thing back when I was a kid. It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot from it.

You'll find a ton on Amazon/eBay. I bought a few for my 11 year old to practice with.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0711MHKDZ/

https://www.amazon.com/Icstation-Soldering-Assemble-AT89C2051-Electronic/dp/B0146I2PFY/

Check the Related Items at the bottom of the Amazon page for other ones.

You won't really find any in kuwait from what I know of. However seeing as this is a child, I'd recommend buying a microscope kit that they normally sell at fantasy world and just having him look at stuff around the house ig

Some of them include insect samples that they can peer at 2.

If that's too specific there's this thing called an eyeclops that would plug into the TV and magnify whatever you had on it by like 500x

200x* https://www.amazon.com/EyeClops-Bionic-Eye-Multizoom-Green/dp/B000PGRBGA

but yea I remember putting it onto my carpet and seeing the fibers, it was crazy as a kid.

They probably have a better one now also at fantasy world.

Either way gl

edit: cheaper https://www.amazon.com/Eyeclops-09388-EYECLOPS-Video-Microscope/dp/B01CY8B4UU/ref=pd_sbs_21_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01CY8B4UU&pd_rd_r=Z07A3ZWRF59M63PBHFDX&pd_rd_w=1AuDd&pd_rd_wg=2m4oN&psc=1&refRID=Z07A3ZWRF59M63PBHFDX

Good idea!

I searched amazon for "trippy toy" and didn't get much, but looked for phsyics toy and found a couple cool things, like these

https://smile.amazon.com/Flow-Ring-Kinetic-Spring-Sculpture/dp/B014M8IP9S/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1492437384&sr=8-3&keywords=physics+toy

And plasma balls, which I'd totally forgotten about

https://smile.amazon.com/Plasma-ball-Theefun-Sensitive-Novelty/dp/B01NCN8SLI/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1492437518&sr=8-8&keywords=physics+toy

And this thing

https://smile.amazon.com/Toysmith-791709-Eulers-Disk/dp/B000239E6Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1492437518&sr=8-3&keywords=physics+toy

My kids used to have one of these : eyeclops
It looks like it could be crappy, but was actually really cool and functional. It magnified up to 200X and displayed on the TV.
I need to find out where it is, ... for some sweet karma.

wasn't even that hard to find. I kind of want it.

This isn't a recipe (sorry), but I have found that if I have something to fidget with, I don't want to snack as much while watching my evening TV. For me, I guess, I snack just to have something to do with my hands. Now I play with this thing or a stress ball and I don't feel like snacking. That and sparkling water really reduces my munchies.

Science Gifts

• Glow in the Dark Space Puzzle
  
• Glow n’ Grow Terrarium
  
• Crystal Growing Lab
  
• Meteorite Dig Kit
  
• Grow a Hedgehog Kit
  
• Magnet Science Kit
  
• Volcano Making Kit
  
• Tin Can Robot
  
• Solar System Model Kit
  
• Glow in the Dark Slime Kit
  
• Crystal Mining Kit
  
• Magic Science Kit
  
  
  Shopkins
  
  
• Brush Buddies Toothbrush
  
• Fashion Spree Makeup Spot
  
• Season 3 2-pack Basket
  
• Season 3 Bundle
  
• Season 3 Basket Bundle
  
• Pop n’ Race Game
  
• Season 3 12-pack
  
• Poster Book
  
• Sticker Activity Book
  
  Dress Up
  
  
• Doctor’s Kit
  
• Disney Princess 300+ piece Jewelry Kit
  
• Doc McStuffin’s Dress Up Kit
  
• Disney’s Frozen, Anna’s Coronation Gown
  
• Disney’s Frozen, Elsa’s Snow Queen Gown
  
• 3 Pair Dress Up Shoes
  
• Tool Belt Pretend Play
  
• Kids Construction Vest
  
• Dress Up Tiaras
  
• Snow White Dress
  
• Cinderella Dress
  
• Sofia the First Dress
  
• King Costume
  
• 12 Animal Masks
  
• Sheriff Callie Dress Up Set

http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-100-Capacitor-Component-Kit/dp/B004YHZDW0/ref=pd_sim_60_4?ie=UTF8&dpID=51eBE5ZzncL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0SVCS5J35KJBVF17S4DS

Found the canadian! That's too many loonies for me.

Here is the same thing with more FREEDOM and GUNS

You are going to want to balance tools and parts.

TOOLS (must haves)

• Multimeters (At least two, I suggest starting with one cheapo ($5-$10) and one in the $30-$50 range)
  
• Variable regulated power supply with current limiting (Skip the cheap/dangerous chinese crap and get a used HP/Agilent/Keysight one off ebay like this or this.)
  
• Breadboards (several)
  
• Jumper wires
  
• Wire strippers and cutters
  
• Decent soldering Iron ($50-$100) (DO NOT CHEAP OUT ON THIS)
  
• Desoldering pump and/or wick (The ctrl-z of the soldering world)
  
• Heat shrink tubing for sealing connections (Especially if you are going to be doing outdoor stuff)
  
• Microcontrollers (I suggest starting with an Arudino Uno since it has the largest amount of online support material, you could get an Uno kit, any of them will be fine)
  .
  .
  TOOLS (eventually)
  
• Logic Analyzer (Let's you see the logic signals in your circuit which is super helpful for debugging, I have a bitscope micro which is decent, but the software kinda sucks and is more than just a logic analyzer)
  
• A function generator (variable voltage and frequency for sine, square and triangle waves) (Again I suggest used off ebay, something like this.)
  
• Oscilloscope (a really amazing tool for actally seeing what is going on in your circuit)
  .
  .
  PARTS (vaguely in order of usefullness)
  
• Elenco Resistor Kit
  
• Elenco Capacitor Kit
  
• Elenco Transistor Kit
  
• Elenco Diode Kit
  
• Elenco LED Kit
  (Of couse you don't have to get the Elenco kits, those are just the ones I use and really like)
  
• Voltage regulator ICs (Great for providing regulated power to things that need more than what your arduino can provide)
  
• Trimmer Potentiometer Kit (really useful to have around for many projects)
  
• Old electronic equipment to scavenge parts out of (Many of my parts have come from old equipment or broken ATX computer power supplies. Tearing stuff apart is both fun and yields great parts.)
  .
  .
  .
  I think that's all for now...

This is similar (although not as good)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Elenco-EP-50-Electronic-Playground/dp/B00000IUD2/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=electronics+kit&qid=1556184856&s=gateway&sr=8-10

Might be worth doing a little beginners kit that you care less about to test your skills first (something like this). Don't worry, It's not that hard though, good luck.

Ah right. Thanks for the correction. I was under a false impression.


When I first read about the lighthouse set up I imagined it was somewhat like my wife's star projector.

I figured that the sensors on the headset were seeing the laser points projected around the room in a similar way to the early HMDs that operated by observing a bunch of QR codes plastered around the room, only this time they're invisible to humans.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B001YIT1YI/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1509981811&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=shark+kit

I had one of these when I was younger. I concur. They might have them at Toys R Us

It's Magic Rocks
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000H6HBEK?pc_redir=1397905139&robot_redir=1

Like this?

For anyone wanting to get one here you go.

If you want to practice your soldering technique I suggest buying a cheap practice kit on Amazon. Something like https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0711MHKDZ/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_My2iDbACSXY8Y or just search online for soldering practice kits.

Elenco makes parts kits that you can buy on amazon. I'm aware of the diode, capacitor, and transistor kits.

https://www.amazon.com/Elenco-100-Capacitor-Component-Kit/dp/B004YHZDW0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465659726&sr=8-1&keywords=elenco+capacitor+kit

That said, you can always make your own and it will be a better value for money.

Get on Digikey and look for standard capacitor values in various orders of magnitude and buy 10-20 of them. To start out, get 100, 330, 470 pF as ceramic and 1, 10, 100, 330, 470 nF in film caps. They're cheap, even in low quantities.

For transistors, get 50 2n3904 transistors and 50 2n3906. Works out to about $8 each. 50 of each should be way more than enough for a long time. For diodes, you can get 50 1n4148s for less than $3. For rectifier diodes, 1N4007s are less than $5 for 50.

Especially for passives, when you buy in bulk, the price per unit falls sharply.

I've always wanted one. Don't know why I didn't bother to check Amazon til now.

for kids：https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076JB623G
for adults：please search the same store for smart robot car

I have a model of a shark that has all the internal organs modeled, with one side being clear. You can find one here: https://www.amazon.com/Vision-Great-White-Shark-Anatomy/dp/B001YIT1YI

Alternatively, if you want to go for a big budget item, Megalodon teeth are surprisingly cheap! ^^^relatively Only $200.

You can do quite a bit with a few sets of pipettes and a small centrifuge. Basically any experiments you want to run up to 400 level Cell and Molec, but I would imagine you'd want to start simpler with 7th and 8th graders. Electrophoresis is cool, but the practical concepts behind it are probably a little beyond middle schoolers. If you wanted too though, you would need pipettes and a centrifuge anyway. Regardless, these are the two instruments they wil use the most should they actually pursue science, so it would probably be beneficial to have early exposure to them.
As for experiments, I always thought bacteria cultures were kind of fun when I was in high school. You can grow bacteria that glows in a black light. Kids love things that glow. Plus if you have a basic microscope you can actually count colonies, and run a full ap level lab experiment. If you don't have a microscope, you can use this TvEyeclops thing.

http://www.amazon.com/EyeClops-Bionic-Eye-Multizoom-Green/dp/B000PGRBGA

My brother has one. Not as clear as a regular microscope, but it's suits the purpose and allows you to the show the image on a TV Screen. You can probably use it to look at a bunch of things in your curriculum. from onion cells to salt grains. Ultimately, even if you did the experiment as a class exercise, it would be pretty good experiance into what real science is like in college and the work place.
You can buy everything I listed here, plus the first round of reagents and consumables for some experiments for about three grand. Leaves you some money for hot/stir plates, beakers, and basics.

And I just realized my undergraduate bio lab at a 30k/yr college was funded on less then 5 grand...

Video microscope.

http://www.amazon.com/Eyeclops-61081-EyeClops-BioniCam/dp/B00153C5KY

http://www.amazon.com/EyeClops-Bionic-Eye-Multizoom-Green/dp/B000PGRBGA/ref=pd_sim_t_4

Magnifying classes

Prisms

Various rock samples, you can gather these for free

For electronics, you can build a simple bench-top power supply from PC power supplies. A cheapo pc power supply runs about $20, and will put out 3.3V, 5V and 12V. Also, they can provide a lot of power, and so 1 supply can power a lot of experiments.

Programming-wise...

Arduinos are fun, and with some servos and potentiometers, can be used to build robot arms. Potentiometers can be gotten at Radioshack. Servos can be had from places like Hobbypartz.com. Boarduinos, made for tacking onto breadboards, work great with the simple bench power supply built from a PC power supply.

To use a boarduino, you will need a breadboard

http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-9440-Breadboard-JW-350-Jumper/dp/B0002H4W0U/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1319603959&sr=8-12

Cheaper ones can be found. But these are great for electronics.

On the "Simpler is better" angle,

http://scratch.mit.edu/

The scratch programming language provides a simple visual interface to building programs.

It actually came with a microscope kit
The little blue container in the top left is the Hatchery

I think it may be this

bahaha damn you angry

What microscope i'll be using

http://www.amazon.com/AmScope-M30-ABS-KT2-W-300X-600X-1200X-Biological-Microscope/dp/B00GGY85EC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1406581201&sr=8-4&keywords=microscope

https://www.amazon.com/NATIONAL-GEOGRAPHIC-Starter-Rock-Tumbler/dp/B01I56RV0C/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=rock+tumbler&qid=1562519447&s=gateway&sr=8-5

After doing some digging I found some models that still have a Pluto(like this one). It seems like most dropped it, though.

They still do similar toys, but without the multimeter, function gen etc. I had one when I was a lad:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Elenco-EP-50-Electronic-Playground/dp/B00000IUD2/ref=sr_1_1?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1523449652&sr=1-1&keywords=learn+electronics

https://www.amazon.com/Oakland-Ballistics-Wooden-Trebuchet-Kit/dp/B004080576

30ft ;)

It's a DIY clock, I've been learning to solder. Here's the kit: https://www.amazon.com/WHDTS-Soldering-Practice-Electronics-Instructions/dp/B0711MHKDZ

I have one of these and it's awesome for keeping hands busy.

Yes, telephone feeders work good.

You can buy kits that has the wires pre-bent too. They are easy to use and much faster to build with. I use pre-formed for most stuff then use phone feeder for those lines that can't be laid flat for some reason.

http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-Piece-Pre-formed-Jumper-Wire/dp/B0002H7AIG

This is a 350 piece kit, but they make smaller kits too.

I mean, define compatible. I'm confused about what you're looking for exactly. If it is rated for the power specifications you need and terminates in a way that you know how to work with there's not too much more you need to worry about. If you post your circuit we can maybe give you some better guidance, but I think as long as you get reasonably-rated through hole versions of your parts you are going to be fine.

Do you have a base stock of parts like caps and resistors? If not, this Electronic Suprise Box is a cheap shotgun method of getting a base stock going, plus you usually get a decent selection of LEDs, switches, or whatever else they sweep off the table in to your box. If you don't want to dedicate a ton of time to sorting them, you can order kits like this and this.

If you're wanting to better understand how this stuff all works, then check out Getting Started In Electronics by Forrest Mims. You won't regret it.

Most importantly--and I can't stress this enough--RadioShack should be your last resort. You'll pay 10x as much for terrible components. Things that cost pennies on Mouser or DigiKey will be dollars there.

Reminds me of magic rocks from my childhood.

https://www.amazon.com/NSI-2928-Magic-Rocks-Shark/dp/B000H6HBEK

https://www.amazon.com/Wooden-Trebuchet-Kit-Oakland-Ballistics/dp/B004080576/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1498225556&sr=8-2&keywords=desk+trebuchet

A rock tumbler like this one from Amazon. It is fun project plus a geology lesson and when the included rocks are done, she can use small rocks from her own yard. Ages 8 and up.

We mentioned this in an episode of our podcast, I was using these colored cubes in lieu of tokens. Each color represented something different. They're fairly cheap and you can use them as stand-ins for pretty much any game, in case you ever lose a piece, or as caltrops in the event of a home invasion.

do a search for "Centimeter Cubes"

easily found on amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-365-Piece-Resistor-Kit/dp/B0002HBQHW/ref=pd_sim_t_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=14BEKDGCZYR4BRZH99QE http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-100-Capacitor-Component-Kit/dp/B004YHZDW0/ref=pd_sim_t_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1ZY4TZ8KX03R67FCGF50 do these look like a good deal?

if it's not burning right that is DEFINITELY a sign of being laced or impure in some manner or another. Maybe buddy sprayed it with sprite or 7-up to fake the appearance of crystal. Always check your bud with a microscope if you don't know your source well. buy a small amount first to test if you're unsure of it.

http://www.amazon.com/AmScope-M30-ABS-KT2-W-Microscope-Illumination-Magnification/dp/B00GGY85EC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1421918159&sr=8-2&keywords=microscope

Eyeclops? https://www.amazon.com/EyeClops-Bionic-Eye-Multizoom-Green/dp/B000PGRBGA

Also, commercial for it https://youtu.be/RqT_nh9AzZg

http://www.amazon.com/Tangle-Original-Sensory-Fidget-Toy/dp/B001RQEM28

Get one of these, they help :D

Poppy seeds

A jeweler's loupe for admiring your dank weed

There are some videos on r/lsd, I think, of someone who combined these two trip toys. It ends up looking pretty cool. http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Motion-12665-1-Laser-Sphere/dp/B003150CFO // https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009S3IBI8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_jq4xwbNWTAEY9

1500 lady bugs

Edit: here's a video of those two projectors together https://youtu.be/1LSuhEAC3u0

Purchasing link from Amazon.


I could not find a link to purchase hurricane balls though. I was more interested in a set of those.

Edit: For a reasonable price.

Quick Google search gave this

https://www.amazon.com/Edu-Toys-Science-T-Rex-Skeleton-Replica/dp/B003CP0BSQ

You can make batteries out of potatoes. What it potato is the holy grail for batteries. Or at least the missing ingredient to long lasting batteries

Thanks for downvoting me you idiots....do research potato batteries are a real thing

Have an earlier version of this one which was a little cheaper if I recall correctly and it is amazing.
Note that:

> It does not project actual constellations or stars, it's an entirely random display of projected stars.

http://www.amazon.com/Can-You-Imagine-Twilight-Projector/dp/B009S3IBI8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449210884&sr=8-1&keywords=laser+twilight+stars+projector

Can You Imagine Laser Twilight Projector https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009S3IBI8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_jq4xwbNWTAEY9

Creative Motion Laser Sphere https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003150CFO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_pr4xwbRXHP4Z5

I actually got this idea from someone else who posted a video of it a while back. Too lazy to look, but I believe the post was called "my trip room"

This is 8 year old kid science - http://www.amazon.com/4M-4568-Potato-Clock/dp/B001T8OFQM

Well this is one way to get someone to send the guy into the stratosphere. However, I have a cheaper solution. Cuz, ya know, a lot of these GoFundMe's and not are cons.

4M Solar System Planetarium https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HGJJ7W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_2rSYzbZYJHAZ1

Fidget toys helped me tremendously. I really like this type https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/4c/13/18/4c13186332a6e6f3e4e62bf6c09ff7c6.jpg and also this type (don't buy that listing it is super overpriced, but I wanted to link to the JR because that was the best one for me, since I'm a woman and it's small enough I can use it in one hand while I read or am on the internet). I have several other friends who suffer from mild to severe CSP and have given the Tangles to all of them and a year later they've all told me how much it helps (including an 8 year old kid). I'd highly recommend sending her a package and also get yourself a few (they're fun even if you don't "need" them) and maybe just play with them while you're skyping with her, stuff like that. Good luck and you're a great partner!

As a science teacher, this jumped out at me.

AOE remember Magic Rocks?!

Sorry forget the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076JB623G

Something like a rock tumbler?

Here appears to be a picture of blood cells under a 40 dollar plastic kids microscope (the first picture):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R8QZPHVYL00VH/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00GGY85EC

​

Link to the microscope:

https://www.amazon.com/AmScope-120X-1200X-Beginner-Microscope-Carrying/dp/B00GGY85EC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

​

Here appears to be a picture of blood cells under a 86 dollar amscope microscope (the middle picture):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RIIM8M99ASYRC/ref=cm_cr_getr_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00AM5XB5O

​

Link to the microscope:

https://www.amazon.com/AmScope-M150C-I-40X-1000X-Biological-Microscope/dp/B00AM5XB5O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1540043964&sr=8-3&keywords=microscope

​

Of course I don't know what cameras they used and so on, so this is a bad comparison, but it's still a comparison. I also don't know what objectives/magnifications they used in the picture, because usually people don't write those for some reason. Someone who owns a kids microscope could make a better comparison. I'm probably going to buy one some day, because I'm curious how good they are.

​

But the fact that you can see blood cells, I think means that the resolution in the plastic kids microscope is quite good, compared to a generic 50 dollar USB microscope for example, which I don't think can see blood cells. The limitation of the USB microscopes can be due to the bad inbuilt camera more than optics though. Compared to the 86 dollar microscope, there doesn't seem to be that big of a difference. But again, this is a bad comparison, so we can't be sure. There might be a larger difference than what appears to be in the pictures.

Oh dear god, please buy one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-Piece-Pre-formed-Jumper-wire/dp/B0002H7AIG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345765743&sr=8-1&keywords=jumper+wire+set

http://www.amazon.com/Breadboard-jumper-wire-70pcs-pack/dp/B0040DEI9M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1345765764&sr=8-2&keywords=jumper+wire+set

You are going to injure yourself cutting and stripping wire for your project.

I know you said you didnt the longer lengths, but at a cost of $20 you get the whole kit which includes every size you could need for a single standard size bread-board....

https://www.amazon.ca/Elenco-Piece-Pre-formed-Jumper-Wire/dp/B0002H7AIG