Teach STEM Like a Boss with Tinker Crate
I received this Tinker Crate box and was compensated for my time in writing this post. All opinions are my own.
If you came to my house, a few things would be very clear:
I like to clean my kitchen in the morning but not so much at night.
We homeschool.
The large slate on our living room wall is a dead give away. So are the books.
Science is a big deal at our house. Just look at the slate.
My kids like projects.
They are makers.
They have big ideas.
They leave a trail.
Do you have any makers in your life?
Do you find it easy to keep them supplied with things to make, build, and do science with?
Life just got easier for parents of makers and science kids everywhere.
Tinker Crate is a Box of STEM
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) is the buzzword these days as is STEAM (STEM + Art/Design). And so are subscription services for kids. Tinker Crate is the best of both of these worlds.
Tinker Crate is for kids and teens 9-14 years old who love to…well…tinker.
- Tinker Crate is a subscription service- sign up for month to month, 3, 6, or 12 months at a time. The more months you sign on for, the bigger the savings. If you subscribe from this post, you get 40% off your first month’s box.
- Comes as a monthly delivery- a box of STEM at your doorstep
- Contains a complete STEM activity- everything you need is inside
- Content relates to science, technology, engineering, and math- and a happy combination of all or a few of these
Science delivered to your door.
No need to shop for science.
When our intense 11 year old saw the box, he got started immediately. It was probably 9:00 PM.
Science is always cool.
No matter what time it is.
Benefits of Teaching with Tinker Crate
STEM that comes to you.
STEM that you don’t have to plan.
STEM that includes many science concepts with extras to explore.
STEM that requires no extra shopping for supplies.
If making sure you include science in your homeschool curriculum makes you nervous, Tinker Crate is a win. For example:
- Mailed each month– a box full of STEM fun that comes each month when you subscribe to Tinker Crate
- No extra materials needed– these boxes are open and go which make them perfect for summer afternoons, rainy days, the pre-dinner hour, and STEM project time during the year
- Hands on fun for techy kids and teens– this held the attention of my screen loving 11yo and he’s a techy screen lover (always with a new programming idea)
- Clearly written instructions– with illustrations, like a blueprint, so your student can follow the directions on his own and if they have trouble, it’s easy for a parent to step in and help out
- Tinker zine is included– which includes ways to apply the contents of the Tinker Crate along with extra information on the topic. The Tinker Zine takes learning to the next step and helps you to learn and do more with the items in your kit. You can also find the zine online.
- No shopping necessary– delightful opportunity for parents who want to implement more science but aren’t sure where to begin.
- Online tutorials– the blueprint instructions are very clear, but you can also see a video tutorial of the build
- Experimenting suggestions– in addition to the build tutorial, you’ll here ways to modify your make and experiment with different aspects of the object.
Tinker Crate is offering 40% off your first month’s crate when you subscribe using my link.
Building an Infinity Mirror
Do you remember the days of shopping with your mom for clothes?
Those could be the longest trips!
I remember lots of time in clothing stores (my mom loves to buy clothes!) and who can forget the time outside the dressing room?
And the three way mirrors.
If you stood in the right place and looked in just the right direction you could see a million yous!
An infinity mirror.
Infinity mirrors are a set of parallel mirrors, which make a set of continually smaller reflections that seem to go on forever.
Our box had the makings of a self-contained LED infinity mirror.
When the box came with a battery and a set of LED lights on a strip, we knew something cool was about to happen.
Infinity Mirror Science
This particular box came with the materials to build an infinity mirror and we learned some physics by way of optics. Our Tinker Zine came with some crazy mirror facts:
- History of Mirrors– what the first mirrors were like and how their make up changed over time
- Silvering Technique– how mirrors are made today and why including how the glass is layered with silver (or aluminum)
- Metals in Mirrors– there’s more than one. Find out why!
- Two Way Mirrors– allow some reflection and some light to pass through…you need this feature for your infinity mirror
- Reflection of Light– some information about the properties of light and how the mirror works with the lights on and off
- How the Infinity Mirror Works– after the basics of the optics, you will learn about exactly how and why the light tunnel can be seen
- Mirror Box Project– directions for another project using additional materials (not included) with your box and its contents
- Lessons on Perspective– how our eyes use visual cues for perspective and directions on how to draw perspective along with books and websites on the topic
Other STEM Posts from Blog, She Wrote
Science and technology are popular topics here at Blog, She Wrote. Enjoy some other posts to help you implement STEM in your homeschool.
How to Create Your Own Learning Experiences with Adventure Boxes– One of our all time favorite homeschool treats is to learn from adventures.
10 (or so) Best Tinkering Gifts for Your Inventor– A list of gifts that have delighted my own inventors for many years. They still love to tinker!
Resources for Putting the Technology in STEM– Our favorite resources for inserting technology into our homeschool.
Tinker Crate is a wonderful way to infuse STEM learning materials which are curated for you each month.
Sort of like a STEM milkman delivering fresh, healthy STEM goodness right to your door.
Only you get to keep the bottles.
And STEM doesn’t go bad.
It’s enriching, good for you, and makes you stronger.
