Tinker Crate is a subscription box that inspires kids to learn about science, engineering, and technology, all while having lots of fun. Each month, the box explores a field of study within a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) discipline. Kids practice their problem-solving skills and learn how to engage in both structured and open-ended exploration and investigation. Most boxes walk the tinkerers through the construction of fairly complex mechanical devices.
This is a review of the new KiwiCo Electronics Pack. There are 3 crates available, Light-Up Speaker, Hand-Crank Flashlight, and Geometric Laser Projector. We’ll be reviewing all three, but this is a review of the Laser Projector!
The KiwiCo Electronics Pack is more advanced than the typical Tinker Crate project and is recommended for ages 14+. I agree with this assessment – even if you have an advanced kid, they’ll need near-adult levels of dexterity to wire everything up.
Geometric Laser Projector Ages 14+ ($44.95)
Construct a variable speed laser projector, capable of producing a variety of different geometric patterns. Walk through the included instruction set to investigate the science behind lasers, potentiometers, and motors. Recommended for ages 14+.
DEAL: You can also subscribe to the regular Tinker Crate and save 30% on your first month! Use this link to save 30% on your first month of Tinker Crate!
Some trivia on the box! Lasers are no joke – heed all safety warnings!
Everything for the Laser Projector box!
The instructions and other project info are printed on a mini-magazine.
The mini-magazine does a great job of explaining the technology and introducing it in a way that is interesting for kids. Here’s a page that shows what’s inside the mag! It tells us what lasers are used for and what we’re doing with the lasers – both the end project as well as the electrical components we’ll use.
Here are the list of materials you’ll be needing to work on the project.
The mini mag also includes pages dedicated to how motors, potentiometers and lasers work.
The activities have easy to follow illustrated instructions to start building right away!
It also makes sure that what you are doing will work, and if not, you can always go back to the previous steps and check out what went wrong and fix it.
Also included is a step by step experimentation to know if the laser projector works well.
The kit includes all the materials needed to construct your own laser projector.
This project looks like a lot of work, but it’s actually fun!
We started connecting and putting the components in place. It’s a good thing the instructions are illustrated, it makes it easier for us to tell which goes where.
On this side, the projector looks ready!
The kids were excited to try it out so I told them to turn the lights off.
And here’s our first trial! It’s amazing!
We tried another pattern. It works really well!
It’s looking good! This will make a fun and great at-home laser light show for the whole family!
We love Tinker Crate because of their well-designed projects. In particular, I loved that the super-complete booklet walked us through the purpose, principles, and application for every component! I thought this kit was totally amazing, had a blast making it, and my whole family had so much fun testing it out and playing with it. Teens will love these advanced kits!
Are you getting the KiwiCo Electronics Pack?
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