DIY STEM Tool Solutions

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

PlatformKey Offerings
TynkerCoding for kids (Python, JavaScript, robotics)
KiwiCoSTEM kits by age group (ages 0–16+)
Science BuddiesFree DIY science project database
Coursera/edXDIY AI, robotics, and data science courses
InstructablesCommunity DIY builds (from LEGO to AI bots)