1. Arduino
- Focus: Open-source electronics platform
- Products: Arduino Uno, Nano, Mega boards, kits with sensors, motors, IoT modules
- STEM Use: Embedded systems, coding, robotics, IoT
- Website: www.arduino.cc
2. Raspberry Pi
- Focus: Affordable single-board computers
- Products: Raspberry Pi 4, Raspberry Pi Zero, Sense HAT, camera modules
- STEM Use: Computer science, AI, Python, Linux, physical computing
- Website: www.raspberrypi.org
3. LittleBits (by Sphero)
- Focus: Modular electronics for kids
- Products: Snap-together circuits, STEAM kits
- STEM Use: Early electronics, logic circuits, invention kits
- Website: www.littlebits.com
4. Makeblock
- Focus: Educational robotics & AI programming
- Products: mBot, Codey Rocky, Neuron, Laserbox
- STEM Use: Robotics, visual programming, machine vision, AI
- Website: www.makeblock.com
5. Snap Circuits (by Elenco)
- Focus: Hands-on circuit exploration
- Products: Snap Circuits Jr, Pro, Extreme kits
- STEM Use: Circuit theory, logic gates, analog/digital electronics
- Website: www.elenco.com
6. Kano Computing
- Focus: Computer building kits for kids
- Products: Kano PC, Pixel Kit, Motion Sensor Kit
- STEM Use: Programming, game creation, digital art, hardware design
- Website: www.kano.me
7. Thames & Kosmos
- Focus: STEM & science experiment kits
- Products: Chem C1000, Physics Workshop, Robotics Smart Machines
- STEM Use: Chemistry, physics, energy, robotics
- Website: www.thamesandkosmos.com
8. TinkerGen / Seeed Studio
- Focus: Maker hardware & AI-enabled STEM
- Products: Grove kits, Wio Terminal, AIoT STEM kits
- STEM Use: Environmental sensing, data logging, micro:bit, AI vision
- Website: www.tinkergen.com
9. Adafruit Industries
- Focus: Open-source electronics + DIY learning
- Products: Circuit Playground, Feather boards, STEMMA sensors
- STEM Use: Wearables, interactive projects, beginner coding
- Website: www.adafruit.com
10. SparkFun Electronics
- Focus: Prototyping and STEM education kits
- Products: RedBoard, Qwiic Connect, micro:bit kits
- STEM Use: Sensors, machine learning, edge computing, DIY hardware
- Website: www.sparkfun.com
11. Micro:bit (by BBC)
- Focus: Coding and microcontroller basics
- Products: BBC micro:bit, classroom kits
- STEM Use: Block and Python coding, accelerometers, sensors
- Website: www.microbit.org
STEM Learning Platforms with DIY Integration
Platform | Key Offerings |
---|---|
Tynker | Coding for kids (Python, JavaScript, robotics) |
KiwiCo | STEM kits by age group (ages 0–16+) |
Science Buddies | Free DIY science project database |
Coursera/edX | DIY AI, robotics, and data science courses |
Instructables | Community DIY builds (from LEGO to AI bots) |