STEM Labs
Engineering and Robotics Materials for Students
Kid Spark STEM Labs make project-based STEM easy and affordable for formal and informal education providers. Each STEM Lab is equipped with an assortment of engineering and robotics materials that can be used to explore a range of STEM concepts across multiple grade levels.
Materials are robust, easy to use, and are ideal for collaborative learning and invention. Two core labs support Kid Spark’s Elementary & Middle School Programs.
Learn, Engineer, Invent!
Kid Spark materials and supporting curriculum help students learn foundational STEM fluencies the moment they enter school, and then build upon their learning every year. As students develop content knowledge and skill they will gain confidence in their ability to design, engineer, and invent new things.
Teaching Computer Science?
Kid Spark offers a unique approach to introducing students to the world of computer science. In grades Pre-K – 1st, students learn foundational STEM fluencies that will help prepare them for computer science learning. Then, in grades 2nd – 8th, students take a deep dive as they explore how to build and program different types of robotics systems.
Foundational Fluencies STEM Lab
Grades Pre-K - 1st
In Kid Spark’s Pre-K - 1st Grade Program, young children learn foundational STEM fluencies that are a prerequisite to all STEM learning, including computer science.
Some examples of STEM fluencies include:
Spatial Reasoning - The ability to envision objects or ideas in three dimensions.
Why it’s important: Whether it's building a physical robot or creating a program that tells the robot what to do, children must be able to think spatially in order to engage in coding and robotics type learning activities.
Sequence & Correspondence - The ability to follow steps in order and place objects in a precise way.
Why it’s important: Writing a computer program is like writing a set of instructions. In order for the program to do what is intended, it must be constructed in an orderly and logical way.
Creative Problem Solving - The ability to work through or analyze problems and expore different ways to solve them.
Why it’s important: In order to be a good roboticist or computer programmer you must be able to troubleshoot problems and explore different ways to solve them.
Note: This lab does not include any electronics or robotics materials.
STEM Pathways Lab
Grades 2nd - 8th
In Kid Spark’s late elementary and middle school programs, children get hands-on wiht the materials in the STEM Pathways Lab as they learn basic computer science concepts and practices.
What’s Included:
- Over 40+ hours of Coding and Robotics Curriculum - Deep resource of online learning materials including interactive programming tutorials, teacher lesson plans, student workbooks, open-ended challenges, example programs, and more. Children learn how to use conditional statements, functions, loops, variables, and more.
- Online Professional Development - Access to Kid Spark’s online library of professional learning modules and courses for educators.
- Spark:bit Robotics Controller - Micro:bit-based, programmable robotics controller that can be combined with sensors, motors, and other Kid Spark engineering materials. Supported by Microsoft’s MakeCode programming environment.
- Compatible with most operating systems including Chromebook, MacOS, and Windows.
- Includes Motor Override Mode feature which supports learning in non-programming environments
Easy Classroom Management
Each Kid Spark STEM Lab is equipped with a top lid label that shows students how to organize materials into the lab after a lesson or project. This makes it easy to keep labs organized and ready for instruction.
Superior Materials For STEM Learning
Kid Spark engineering materials are ideal for informal and formal education use. The large-scale, reusable components make collaborative learning and invention easy.
Large-Scale Building Blocks
Children as young as preschool can easily use Kid Spark blocks to learn foundational STEM fluencies and build creative inventions of their own design.
These blocks, found exclusively in Kid Spark's Foundational Fluencies STEM Lab, use a friction-fit system to connect, making it easy for any child to design and build in three dimensions.
From Blocks to Programmable Robotics
As students progress in their learning, they will be introduced to new Kid Spark building components that open up a world of opportunity for design and invention.
Kid Spark's STEM Pathways Lab features an assortment of components that can be used to build structures, create and convert motion, add power and control to a design using programmable robotics, and much more.
Built-In Mathematics
All Kid Spark engineering materials are designed in metric units of measurement. Counting, measurement, ratios, and other math concepts are always immediately present, making it easy to integrate mathematics into any lesson or project.
3D Virtual Parts Library
Students can invent custom Kid Spark components using computer aided design (CAD) and 3D printing. All Kid Spark components are available as downloadable digital files in our 3D virtual parts library.
Speak with a Program Specialist
Want to learn more about how to get a Kid Spark STEM Program started for your students?