1. Dynamo Dominoes. 1 Ages 3+; hapetoys.com 2 $39.99 2. Mighty Makers Inventor’s Clubhouse Building Set. Ages 7+; knex.com $59.99 3. Cool Circuits. Ages 8+; sciencewiz.com $24.95 4. YOXO Orig Robot. Ages Gift ideas that engage girls and boys in engineering thinking and design 6-12; yoxo.com $19.99 5. Weird & Wacky Contraption Lab. Ages 8+; 3 smartlabtoys.com $39.99 6. Crazy Forts! Ages 5+; crazyforts.com $49.95 7. Geomag Mechanics 222 Pieces. Age 5+; geomagworld.com $129 4

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Nine ways engineers help their children learn about engineering In one study, over 80 engineers were interviewed or surveyed about what they do to help their children learn about engineering. Below are 9 of their most common responses. Play hands-on with everyday items Play with puzzles Challenge your questions about what they are While playing with everyday items, children to find several ways to solve building: What are you building? Who encourage your children to imagine new puzzles and to explain the different is it for? How will they use it? Why did uses for them. processes they used. you…?

Encourage them to ask questions Visit science centers or children’s Develop mathematics and science Foster your children’s natural curiosity museums They will allow your skills Visit your local library or store by encouraging them to ask you questions children to explore STEM concepts at their to find software, videos, books and kits that and helping them figure out how and where own pace, often through hands-on allow your children to practice mathematics to find the answers. experiences that are enhanced through and science skills in a fun and engaging way. signs that provide more explanation of the Let them take things apart Provide concepts. your children with the tools to take Attend summer camps and special things apart and put them together again Read books Read fiction and non- activities Build interest in STEM by (as long as there are no choking, electric, or fiction STEM books with your children. taking advantage of camps, programs and To learn how these gifts support engineering thinking and design go to: other hazards!). Build with blocks Ask your children special activities hosted in your community. inspire-purdue.org/EngineeringGiftGuide Project Lead: Elizabeth Gajdzik, M.S.  Project Assistants: Nadia Aljabi, Baylee Bunce  Content Contributors: Dr. Monica E. Cardella, Dr. Tamara J. Moore, Jacob Inman, Dr. Brianna Dorie, Elizabeth Gajdzik, Baylee Bunce  Special Thanks to: New Community School, Imagination Station, Patty Jischke Early Care and Education Center, INSPIRE/ENE, and the children, parents, and engineers who helped review and provide feedback on the gifts submitted this year. Purdue University does not endorse such products contained herein, but only recommends them solely due to their engineering education value. You asked. We answered! 4 5 6 How to discuss engineering 2 My daughter and son love to build and create 1 with your child things with their building toys. How do I help foster their engineering thinking? Recommendation 1: Use the word “engineer” in everyday talk as repeated Have them solve an engineering design problem. exposure will allow a child to use it in everyday Below we have outlined how you can help your conversations. Point out the word if you hear it children identify a problem and solve it. in a commercial or see it in a book or on

Define the problem Identify an engineering television. design problem to solve. Set criteria (desired attributes) Recommendation 2: If you are a and constraints (limits). Recognize who the client (who STEM professional, talk about your own work. has asked you to find a solution) and users are (who will Parents are the major source of occupational use the end product). 10 11 12 knowledge. It is never too early to start talking

Learn about the problem Research to see about STEM professions; if you feel that the topic is too complex, talk about where you what, if any, solutions have already been created to solve 6 the problem or one similar to it. Read different texts work, what you work on, who you work with about the science and mathematics skills, knowledge and 5 and what kinds of things you do (e.g., work tools that will help them solve the problem. outside, use a computer, draw, talk with others, etc.). Plan a solution to the problem Have them generate many ideas before deciding which one they Recommendation 3: Too often would like to try. Encourage them to make a design plan. children associate engineers with train drivers/ They may need to go back and learn something new mechanics/construction laborers. Address before they can finish their plan. That is ok! these inconsistencies early. For example, if 16 17 18 children read that “an engineer drives the Try the solution Have them use their plan to train”, help them understand that there are create a prototype (a testable model that may be other types of engineers who design things to smaller or larger than the final design). help people, or that engineers design engines but mechanics are the people who fix cars. Test the solution Help your children conduct fair 9 These beliefs are often hard to mitigate later tests to see if their plan is a good solution for the down the line and those that are not interested problem. in these associations may not consider Decide Use the test results to make decisions about engineering as an ample field of study. their solution. Did the solution solve the problem and Recommendation 4: Increase meet the constraints? Should they try other ideas they interactive strategies for reading: ask previously brainstormed or brainstorm new ideas to questions, make eye contact, allow your achieve a better solution? 22 23 24 children to hold the book or turn the pages, Communicate/deliver Have them make claims etc. (use evidence to support what they believe is true) about their solution so the client knows why they should use or Gender bias in the purchase select it. Have them communicate their idea to the client. of STEM-related toys

Where does your family find 13 A recent study conducted by Jacob Inman design challenge ideas? and Dr. Monica E. Cardella on gender bias in the purchase of STEM-related toys My kids and I look indicates that toys that promote the around our home. We development of math, science, and find ways to make life 14 28 engineering skills are given to boys twice easier for us or our pets. 29 30 as frequently as they are given to girls. This idea of stereotypical “boys’ toys” may My daughter and I get contribute to the lack of women in inspiration from the technical engineering fields. The study community—things we demonstrated the importance of We get ideas from see or hear about on the news. purchasing toys linked to the development books, television of STEM skills for all children to promote shows and movies. the participation of women in STEM fields.

4 1. Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea 1 2 3 1. WEDGNETIX 32 Piece Magnetic Beaty. Ages 5-7; abramsbooks.com 3 Construction Toy. Ages 8+; $16.95 wedgits.com $69.99 2. Engineering the ABC’s by Patty 2. Z-Strux Z-Lift Sky Crane. Ages 8+; O’Brien Novak. Ages 4+; poof-slinky.com $149.99 barnesandnoble.com $10.07 3. ZOOB Inventors’ Kit. Ages 6+; 3. Rocks, Jeans, and Busy Machines by poof-slinky.com $34.99 Alane & Raymundo Rivera. Ages 4-8; 4. YOXO Fyre Dragon. Ages 8-14; engineering-kids.com $9.95 yoxo.com $29.99 4. The Little Engineer that Could by 5. Melissa & Doug 100 Piece Wood Micah and Jeanette Stohlmann. Ages 8 Blocks Set. Ages 3+; -11; amazon.com $6.99 7 melissaanddoug.com $19.99 5. Engibear’s Dream by Andrew King. 7 8 9 6. Lincoln Logs 100th Anniversary Ages 3-10; littlesteps.com $24.95 Tin. Ages 3+; knex.com $44.99 6. Engibear’s Bridge by Andrew King. 7. Ideal 105 Piece Amaze ‘N’ Ages 3-10; littlesteps.com $24.99 Marbles. Ages 5+; poof-slinky.com 7. Yes I Can! I’m Clover Anne! by 8 $129.99 Cheryl A. Cunningham, P.E. Ages 5-9; 8. Magna-Tiles Clear Colors 32 Piece icanbeanengineer.com $10.95 Set. Ages 3+; magnatiles.com $51.50 8. I Can Find a Way! I’m Lucy Kay! by 9. Melissa & Doug Construction Set Cheryl A. Cunningham, P.E. Ages 5-9; in a Box. Ages 4+; icanbeanengineer.com $10.95 melissaanddoug.com 29.99 9. Dream Invent Create Engineer the 10. WEDGITS Imagination 50 Piece World: An introduction to the 10 Building Block. Ages 3+; wedgits.com $49.99 inspiring possibilities of engineering. 13 Ages 7-12; start-engineering.com 14 15 11. K’Nex Education Intro To $5.95 Structures: Bridges. Ages 8+; 10. Anything is Possible by Giulia knex.com $39.99 Belloni and Marco Trevison. Ages 4-7; 12. K’Nex 35 Model Ultimate owlkids.com $16.95 Building Set. Ages 7+; knex.com 11. The Fort on Fourth Street by Lois $27.99 Spangler and Christina Wald. Ages 4-9; 11 13. Geomag Panels 180 Pieces. Age arbordalepublishing.com $17.95 3+; geomagworld.com $100 12. Newton and Me by Lynne Mayer. 14. K’NEX Thrill Rides Sky Sprinter Ages 4-8; arbordalepublishing.com Roller Coaster Building Set. Ages 9+; $16.95 knex.com $129.99 13. Start Engineering A Career Guide. 12 15. Tinkertoy 150 Piece Essentials Ages 13-15; start-engineering.com 19 20 21 Value Set. Ages 3+; knex.com $49.99 $6.95 16. CitiBlocs 100 Piece Natural 14. What’s Engineering? Color & Wooden Building Blocks. Ages 3+; Discover!: A Coloring and Activity poof-slinky.com $29.99 17. Melissa & Doug Deluxe Jumbo Book for Ages 4-6. Ages 4-6; start- 16 engineering.com $4.95 Cardboard Blocks—40 Pieces. Ages 15—25, 30. Engineering in Action 2+; melissaanddoug.com $39.99 Series. Ages 10-13; crabtreebooks.com $9.95 (paperback) $27.60 (hardcovers) 26. Engineers Solve Problems by Reagan Miller and Crystal Sikkens. Ages 5-8; crabtreebooks.com $7.95 15 17 27. How Engineers Find Solutions by 26 27 Robin Johnson. Ages 5-8; 25 crabtreebooks.com $7.95 28. Engineering in our Everyday Lives by Reagan Miller. Ages 5-8; crabtreebooks.com $7.95 29. Engineers Build Models by Reagan Miller. Ages 5-8; crabtreebooks.com $7.95 1 1. Ubongo. Ages 8+; 2 1. Wonder Pack. Ages 6+; thamesandkosmos.com $39.95 makewonder.com $279.99 (Individual prices: Dot $49.99, Dash 2. Laser Pegs Tinted Race Car. 2 Ages 5+; laserpegs.com $29.99 1 $169.99, Building Brick Connectors 3. Lucky’s High Roller. Ages 6+; $19.99, Dash’s Xylophone $39.99, goldieblox.com $9.99 Accessories Pack $39.99) 4. Craft-Struction Box. Ages 6+; 2. Puzzlets. Ages 6+; goldieblox.com $39.99 digitaldreamlabs.com $99.99 5. Remote-Control Machines 3. Ozobot Bit 2.0. Ages 8+; Animals. Ages 8+; ozobot.com $59.95 thamesandkosmos.com $49.95 5 4. Thinkrolls 2. Ages 3-9; 6. Aircraft Engineer. Ages 3+; avokiddo.com $2.99 4 5. Tangible Play’s Osmo. Ages 6+; thamesandkosmos.com $44.95 3 3 7. Nacho’s Rocket Ride. Ages playosmo.com $99.99 (or $79.99 6+; goldieblox.com $9.99 4 without the Numbers pack) 8. Suspend Family Game. Ages 6. Thinkrolls. Ages 3-8; 8+; melissaanddoug.com avokiddo.com $2.99 $16.99 7. Robot School. Programming for 9. Twiddler Double Dilemma. Kids. Ages 9-11; itunes.apple.com Ages 10+; hapetoys.com $24.99 $3.99 (HINT: iTunes has a bundle 10. Twiddler Triple that includes both the Robot School Temptation. Ages 10+; 8 and Move the Turtle apps for just hapetoys.com $32.99 $3.99!) 7 11. LightUp Edison Kit. Ages 5 6 8. Move the Turtle. Ages 5-12; 5+; lightup.io $49.99 6 movetheturtle.com $3.99 (HINT: 12. GolideBlox and The iTunes has a bundle that includes Builder’s Survival Kit. Ages 7- both the Robot School and Move 12; goldieblox.com $59.99 the Turtle apps for just $3.99!) 13. Benjamin’s Cat Nook. Ages 9. BLOX 3D. Ages 4-8; 6+; goldieblox.com $9.99 appymonkeys.com $2.99 14. Katinka’s Dream Racer. 10. BLOX 3D Junior. Ages 2-5; Ages 6+; goldieblox.com $9.99 appymonkeys.com $2.99 15. Dimension. Ages 8+; 11. BLOX 3D World Creator. Ages 6 thamesandkosmos.com $49.95 7 8 -8; appymonkeys.com $2.99 10 12. . Ages 10+; .com $24.99 9 13. TIS-100. Ages 10+; zachtronics.com $6.99 14. SpaceChem. Ages 10+; 13 zachtronics.com $9.99 12

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Purdue University does not endorse such products contained herein, but only recommends them solely due to their engineering education value.