How to best use the STEM Product Database
Welcome to our STEM Product Database FAQ section! Our goal with this product database is to provide you with a wide selection of STEM related products. Whether you’re a student, educator, or industry professional, these FAQs aim to enhance your experience and help you get the most of our website.
So, how can parents—and educators—determine which of the new crop of STEM toys are actually beneficial and which are just getting in on the trend of STEM? Tech firm Technavio, which released a report forecasting the growth predicted in the STEM toy industry, breaks down educational toys into three categories: academic, cognitive thinking and motor skills.
Solid academic toys include math and science kits, as well as language learning toys, and these toys should actively engage children in skill acquisition or application. In other words, children should not be passive observers—a good academic toy should require them to think, interact with and/or manipulate concepts and ideas.
Cognitive thinking toys for younger children can include puzzles and construction sets that require children to think logically and apply reason. Cognitive skill-building toys for older students include classics like the Rubik’s Cube, as well as more advanced construction sets from companies like LEGO, which require older students to apply concepts of both geometry and engineering.
Motor skill-building toys are a growing subset of STEM toys and primarily apply to the youngest of learners. Toddlers and preschoolers can benefit from workbench sets or even simple, well-designed building blocks, which allow young learners to develop the physical skills they need to move and manipulate objects.
For parents who want to give their children additional opportunities to learn and practice STEM skills, quality STEM toys can be a great option. A growing market means that retailers are looking to capitalize on the opportunity, so it’s important to do your research and look for toys that offer dynamic, hands-on learning as opposed to just encouraging students to pretend to “do science.” While imagining a world in which they can grow up to be an engineer or a web designer is valuable, it’s most important that children actually get real-world experience by engaging in problem-solving as opposed to playing with something fun that just makes them look the part. After all, hard work can definitely feel like play, especially in the STEM fields, so look for toys that offer that sweet spot of rigor and joy, and watch your child’s interest in STEM take flight.
This article was originally featured in Forbes Community Voice™ on May 29th, 2018.
About the Author: Andrew B. Raupp is the founder and executive director at STEM.org Educational Research™ “Democratizing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education through sound policy & practice . . .”
One trend that clearly stands out in the toy market: subscription services. Amazon’s STEM Toy Club, which launched in 2017, is perhaps the most visible major company to offer such an option, but the e-commerce juggernaut is not the only retailer that’s gotten involved with STEM toys. A recent piece in Retail Dive makes clear that several other large companies, including Walmart and Target, also offer STEM subscription services. The idea is simple: Parents
pay a flat rate per month, and their children receive a different STEM toy or kit each month.
Subscriptions services are a great way to build curiosity and interest in STEM for kids who might not otherwise be interested. After all, who among us under age 12 would refuse a new toy in the mail each month? But as a product editor quoted in the RD article makes clear, it can be hard to tell if retailers are offering truly educational, engaging STEM toys or just trying to capitalize on the trend of STEM: “Amazon is actually late to the game,” Jennifer Stein said. “STEM has become a fabulous term for marketers to use because parents buy into it, but it has been around. For it to be effective, it needs to be used correctly.” One can assume that most seasoned STEM educators couldn’t agree more.
The product prices provided on our site are intended to serve as a general guideline and may vary among different sellers. Our aim is to offer you an approximate understanding of the product costs, but factors such as seller location, promotions, changes over time, and availability can influence the actual prices you may encounter. We recommend checking with individual sellers for the most accurate and up-to-date pricing information to ensure a seamless and informed shopping experience.
Our site is operated as an independent STEM reference. While the items you see here are not available for purchase from STEM.org, we do provide you with a Store Locator, where we have compiled a list of stores that sell STEM related products.
By choosing local businesses, you contribute to the growth and sustainability of your neighborhood. Local shops often invest in community initiatives, creating jobs and fostering a sense of belonging. Additionally, supporting local businesses helps reduce environmental impact by promoting shorter supply chains.
Please be aware that while we strive to authenticate all items in our STEM product database, not every product listed has undergone our authentication process. Conversely, there may be STEM products available that are not yet authenticated by us. We are committed to providing accurate and up-to-date information, and as new items are created or discontinued, our team diligently works to update our listings. Your understanding and patience are appreciated as we continue to improve the accuracy and authenticity of the products featured in our database.
