Being an educator, although I have to deal with reception years classes, but personally I am fond of making stuff, either it is with blocks, machanics sets or other science projects. I remember my school going days, when my father gave me a "mechanics" set, alongwith screws, bolts, screwdriver and all the parts which can make car, plane, furniture and lot of models out of it. I was really addicted to my construction set, and for 2 or 3 years I played with it.
Still I have addiction of those construction kits, and now I buy those kits for my son who is 9 years old and fond of electronics and building kits.
I fould this site Hobby Engineering during my search for "hobbies" and found it quite interesting. It is for students and adults who have an interest in creating "stuff" using technology.
More about the site:
(In their own words)
Hobby Engineering alludes to the process of creating high tech inventions, toys and art while developing leading edge knowledge and skills and having fun!
Some of that "stuff" will be practical such as advancing in school or building a device to reduce human drudgery. Some of that "stuff" will be purely for entertainment such as a dancing robot. All of this "stuff" will require thought, creativity and initiative. And we do it all to challenge ourselves and have fun. And maybe improve our little corner of the world in the process.
Can you really built a robot?
It says:
"Absolutely!
Technology has advanced to such a point that it is practical for almost anyone to get involved in robotics. What you can accomplish is determined by your own maturity, initiative, interests and (unfortunately) budget. The fact that anyone can be involved does not mean it is easy. That is part of what makes this activity interesting. Technology enthusiasts are constantly challenged and often frustrated by the technology. Success requires developing a significant level of inquisitiveness and doggedness. Younger hobbyists in particular will require help managing the challenge. The key to success is picking an appropriate starting point and developing one new skill at a time. It is amazing what can be accomplished with the right attitude and personal motivation. We will do our best to help you succeed in your chosen activity!"
The best thing I like about the "Hobby Engineering" is that they don't only sell the kits or products but they guide or offer tutorials for learners.
** Turorials page provides links to "basic electronics" tutorial and few projects.
If your child is interested in building kits then check this page: Gift Guide
You can select gifts from 8 years old to 12 and there are suggestions for college students, Engineers and adult hobbyists.
How this hobby helps us?
Site explains:
"building is an essential skill for everyone. It teaches us subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) lessons about the physical world that aren't taught in science class. Building also helps develop (or maintain) fine motor skills and logical thought processes. Building teaches important lessons about life such as how to do research and experimentation, how to manage complex tasks, how to deal with frustration and how to ask for help. It also helps teach important lessons about the value of labor and the process of producing goods: "no that great video game or MP3 player didn't magically appear on the store shelf overnight"
Things to keep in mind when buying their products:
"Hbooby Engineering" suggests:
- Nothing we sell works ... until the builder reads the instructions, thinks about a plan and does the work of building. In some ways giving our products is like giving away a job. If the receiver likes the job its a great opportunity, If they don't like the job its just ... well ... work. With younger kids this can be a great surprise gift that opens their mind to new opportunities. Older kids and adults are less responsive to surprise job assignments so you need to make sure that the potential builder has an appropriate level of interest and/or someone to provide encouragement and other needed help.
- While we have organized the gift guide by age, you also need to consider the builders existing skills, interests and character. A high school student who has never built anything might be better off starting with our one of our middle school products to develop basic tool and assembly skills. Some middle school kids would rather spend a year or two of frustration working on one of our most advanced kits than breezing through a more age appropriate product. A professional engineer who doesn't want to think about "serious" projects at the end of a long week might get a bang out of putting one of our kid projects together and then proudly put it on his or her desk as a conversation starter.
- Building activities need to be challenging or they become boring. Some families buy more and more of the same kind of building set until their kids stop using them and then think that the kids have "outgrown" building sets. More often they sit in the closet because the kids have become tired of building with the same old shapes. No matter how many boxes of bricks you buy they are still just bricks and can only be formed into certain shapes. Its a better idea to give the kids different kinds of building sets so they can explore different shapes and materials and even build using combinations of products.
*** Abotics provides FREE help in making low cost educational robots. Abraham L. Howell, the founder of Abe Howell's Robotics is dedicated to helping students learn through the direct interaction with autonomous mobile robots.
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