ML Interest Tag: future-engineers

Amazon Drops Fave Toys List & Holiday Shopping Just Got Easier

by Karly Wood

The holidays may still be several months away, but you can get a jump on it thanks to Amazon’s annual “Toys We Love” list. With picks ranging from baby to 12 and older, these best-selling and hot toys take the guesswork out of picking the perfect toys for kids. We’ve picked our top 10 faves, so keep scrolling!

Babies & Toddlers

Tegu Magnetic Wooden Block Set

For parents who love wooden toys, this new set of Tegu blocks is perfect. The 42-piece set comes with nine shapes (including magnetic wheels), and contains no small parts, lead, plastic and is made with non-toxic, water-based lacquer finish.

Get it here, $110

Little Tikes First Bathroom Sink with Real Working Faucet

Kiddos constantly under your feet while you're getting ready? Get them their own bathroom! This adorable new playset comes with an electric pump that runs actual water through the working stink. In addition, littles can style their own hair with the working hair dryer and play with other realistic bathroom accessories like a toothbrush, toothpaste, mirror, comb and more.

Get it here, $63

Mi Deluxe Feature Plush

It's Mi from "Do, Re & Mi!" The soft plush from the new Amazon kids show speaks when you squeeze his tummy and even has a light up guitar.

Get it here, $25

 

Little Kids

National Geographic Kids Veterinarian Kit

Do you have a budding veterinarian? They'll love this adorable 10-inch plush monkey that actually plays sounds! Coming with a stethoscope and syringe, kids can take care of their furry friend, in addition to scanning the QR code to gain access to exclusive NatGeo content.

Get it here, $32

Bluey Mega Bundle Home

Time to throw another shrimp on the barbie! This adorable bundle set comes with everything Bluey needs for time at home with the fam: a huge four-room house, removable furniture, Bluey, Bingo, Chilli (Mum), and Bandit (Dad).

Get it here,  $55

Melissa & Doug Blue's Clues & You! Wooden Cooking Play Set

This set is 42 pieces of fun! So what comes inside? Twenty give double-sided cardstock food pieces, pot with lid, plate, utensils, spatula, serving spoon, paw print-shaped oven mitt, wooden Mr. Salt, Mrs. Pepper and Slippery Soap, cookbook activity card and reusable grocery list! The reversible top can transform into a grill or sink, and has click and turn knobs.

Get it here, $54

Big Kids

Pottery Wheel Complete Kit

Easily throw pottery with National Geographic's new innovative pottery wheel. It comes with a tool to help easily create bowls and pots, plus there are no batteries required!

Get it here, $70

Disney Villains Black and Brights Collection

The gang's all here! This four pack of villains comes with Cruella De Vil, the Evil Queen, Maleficent, and Ursula, complete with accessories in bright colors.

Get it here, $69

Thames & Kosmos Mega Cyborg Hand STEM Experiment Kit

It's time to get your STEM on. This kit lets future engineers build their own wearable mechanical hand, without motors or batteries. 

Get it here, $40

Raya's Journey: an Enchanted Forest Board Game for Kids

Join Raya and her friends as they seek to save Kumandra. Players will use dice to navigate the board, look under decorative teak sculpts and try to be the first to the finish line.

Get it here, $25

Want to check out the rest of the list? Head to Amazon’s Toys We Love List here.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Amazon

Editor’s note: All products included reflect price and availability at time of publication.

 

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Here’s How Your Kiddo Can Help NASA to Name the Mars 2020 Rover

by Erica Loop

Your kiddo might just get a chance to name the next Mars rover. NASA recently announced the selection of two partner organizations, Battelle Education and Future Engineers, to run its nationwide K-12 naming contest!

The Mars 2020 “Name the Rover” contest will open to students in kindergarten through grade 12 next fall (fall of 2019). The 2,300-pound rover is set to launch July 2020 with a touch down date on the Martian surface of February 2021. The rover will explore the planet’s surface, collect samples and look for signs of past microbial life.

George Tahu, Mars 2020 program executive in NASA’s Planetary Science Division at the agency’s Headquarters in Washington said in a press release, “Contests like this present excellent opportunities to invite young students and educators to be a part of this journey to understand the possibilities for life beyond Earth and to advance new capabilities in exploration technology.”

If you’re just as much of a space enthusiast as your child—you’re in luck! NASA is looking for volunteer judges to review the entries!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Courtesy of NASA

 

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The New LEGO Education Sets That’ll Turn Your Kids Into Future Engineers

by Shahrzad Warkentin

What if playtime could turn young minds into tomorrow’s innovators? That’s exactly the inspiration behind the new LEGO Education architecture-themed sets for FIRST LEGO League.

The focus on STEM education isn’t just about encouraging kids to love math and science, it’s about opening up their eyes to future career paths and helping their minds develop the critical thinking skills necessary to become future engineers. The 2019 FIRST LEGO League has just introduced new architecture-themed building sets that are all about giving young builders hands on experience with solving the large-scale problems, like transportation and overcrowding that real cities face today.

For the uninitiated, FIRST LEGO League is a program designed for kids ages nine-16 to participate in STEM-based challenges in teams. The teams compete to find solutions to real-world problems based around a STEAM theme. Previous year’s themes have included “Hydro Dynamics,” exploring how we use water, and “Into Orbit” navigating the challenges of space exploration.

This year’s theme is focused on urban planning. The program also features FIRST LEGO Jr., which is designed for kids 6-10 in non-competitive teams completing smaller projects. The FIRST LEGO League was founded in 1998 and now has over 320,000 participants in 98 countries around the world.

The teams are only allowed to use the LEGO Education sets specifically created for each year’s theme. LEGO Education has just unveiled the two new sets for this year’s focus on architecture. The BOOMTOWN BUILD, which is designed for FIRST LEGO Jr. teams and is centered around building a city to accommodate all different types of people, and CITY SHAPER, which is designed for FIRST LEGO and requires teams to build and code an autonomous LEGO Education robot to complete the series of architecture-themed missions on the competition mat/playing field.

“If you meet students where they are, challenge them appropriately, allow them meaningful failures, they will ultimately succeed, and this builds their confidence and desire to learn more, try more and stretch themselves and their learning,” said Esben Stærk Jørgensen, president of LEGO Education. “We believe all students can gain confidence in STEAM through hands-on learning. We are excited for all FIRST LEGO League and FIRST LEGO League Jr. participants to build their confidence in learning while competing with our newest architecture-themed sets and now with the addition of our intuitive and adaptive LEGO Education SPIKE Prime.”

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Courtesy of LEGO

 

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Amazon Wants to Build Your Child’s Robotics Skills

by Erica Loop

Calling all future engineers! Amazon and the FIRST robotics program recently announced new grant funding to expand access to robotics clubs, computer science education, teacher professional development and even a tour of a local Amazon fulfillment center.

The Amazon Future Engineer Robotics Grant will provide funds to 100 schools across 21 states (in underserved areas), including $10,000 to expand access to in-school computer science education. The mentor-based programs will help kiddos in kindergarten through twelfth grade to build STEM skills that will benefit them now and for years to come. The robotics-based grant adds to the existing funding Amazon provides through its Future Engineer program.

photo: Courtesy of Business Wire

So how exactly is the Amazon Future Engineering Robotics Grant changing the lives of students? According to Dave Levin, co-founder of KIPP Public Schools in Columbus, Ohio, “The Amazon Future Engineer Robotics Grant is a game changer for middle and high school students throughout 53 KIPP schools around the country.” Levin also added, “The generosity of Amazon will ensure more KIPP students than ever will have the opportunity not only to pursue successful careers in STEM, but help diversify the industry for future generations.”

Dean Kamen, founder of FIRST and president of DEKA Research & Development, said in a press statement, “Amazon is helping FIRST in our goal to make robotics teams and programs available in every school.” Kamen went on to say, “In FIRST, every kid on every team can go pro. They gain a hands-on learning pathway in technology, computer science and engineering that propels them forward and inspires innovation.”

The Amazon Future Engineer program started in 2018, using a four-part childhood-to-career model. Through annual grants the program aims to inspire and educate over 10 million children, providing a projected total of 100,000 students in more than 2,000 high schools access to computer science classes as well as 100 $10,000 four-year college scholarships!

—Erica Loop

 

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Today Is International LEGO Day

by Jacqui Boland

Today Is International LEGO Day

A day that stacks up.

1

There is only one thing cooler than actual LEGOs, and that’s edible LEGOs See them jiggle here.

2

Any parent whose stepped on a tiny brick knows it can be an endless battle to keep LEGOs organized, but we’ve got 10 awesome storage hacks you can try today.Because we want you to win at parenting.

3

If you want some jaw-dropping inspiration for your little builders, check out these epic LEGO creations that will inspire some serious oohs and aahs in your household.

{ Today’s ideas brought to you by Future Engineers of the World }

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Delightfully Bookish! 5 Cool Kids Library Rooms

by Nikki Walsh

Books open pint-sized minds to wonder and imagination, while reading gives kids (and adults) a window to the world. The feeling of going places and doing things they dream of — all while never leaving the room (and it doesn’t hurt that we get a little peace and quiet ourselves). Put down the laptops, iPads and smart phones and teach your little beansprouts the pleasure of reading a good book at these awesome reading rooms around town.

Photo Credit: M. Walsh

San Diego Central Library
Future engineers will love the awesome architecture, glass elevators, and exciting escalators of this beautiful building (nine stories in all). Truly an adventure and bookishly fun. Head for the colorful Dr. Seuss-themed kids library on the first floor. Your little ones will make a beeline for the colorful elephant stools. Story time and play area (56,000 books). Moms will love the nursing room, stroller parking and family bathrooms within easy reach. There’s also free, well-lit underground parking. Get your two-hour validation at the front desk.

330 Park Blvd.
San Diego, Ca 92101
619-236-5800
Online: sandiego/library.org

Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Photo Credit: M. Walsh

Mission Valley Library
This space is new and nice looking with plenty of parking). Kid-sized readers will love the Mission Valley Library. The facility sports a colorful kid’s reading room with little nooks to snuggle into a good book. Make a day of it with a short walk to Ikea. Grab some food and burn some kid-sized energy at the playland inside.

2123 Fenton Parkway
San Diego, Ca 92108
858-573-5007
Online: sandiego/library.org

Hours: Mon., Thurs.-Sat., 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Tues. & Wed., 11:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sun., 12:30 – 5 p.m

Photo Credit: M. Walsh

Encinitas Branch Library
A relaxed vibe (and beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean) will inspire your little bookworm to sit and read. Well-labeled book carts help early readers find books. An ocean-inspired reading room lends its comfy seats for quiet reading. Several toys to play with for the toddler set. Grab a cup of great coffee from the local coffee spots on your way in. There’s also clean bathrooms, plenty of parking and a great park across the street.

540 Cornish Dr.
Encinitas, Ca 92024
760-753-7376
Online: sdcl.org/encinitas

Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Fri. & Sat., 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun., 12-5 p.m.

Photo Credit: M. Walsh

Ships Ahoy! Point Loma/Hervey Branch Library
Your little sea captains will love the nautical theme that includes a ship’s hull with working periscope. Kids can play inside or just quietly read. Your little sailor can grab a few books and snuggle up in the compass nook. The library features a bright reading room and great book selection. It’s a small, but cozy little ship-shaped treat!

3701 Voltaire St.
San Diego, Ca 92107
619-531-1539
Online: sandiego/library.org

Hours: Mon. & Thurs.-Sat., 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Tues. & Wed., 11:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sun., 12:30-5 p.m.

Photo Credit: Point Loma/Harvey Library Facebook page

Otay Ranch Branch of the Chula Vista Public Library
Located in the upscale Otay Mesa Mall, this little library gets plenty of tiny foot traffic. The location has made it much more accessible to families who live close by. Vibrant and cool with a decent selection of books and nice multi-use room that has story time six days a week. Stop by and check out this expanding little jewel then let your little ones play in the pop fountain or stop by the Farmers Market for a fresh bite to eat.

2015 Birch Rd.
Chula Vista, Ca 91915
619-397-5840
Online: sandiego/library.org

Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Fri. & Sat., 12 – 6 p.m.

Do you have a favorite spot to read with the kiddos? What libraries are we missing?

— Monique Walsh

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