If you’re like me, you probably didn’t know that Friday, November 8 is National STEM Day, a day devoted to celebrating science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Truthfully, as kid I wouldn’t have wanted to think about any of these things. My brain could never get the hang of math or science as a child or teenager, which makes me laugh today since I’m not half bad at math as someone in my late 40s.
Times have changed, of course, as STEM is a part of curriculum and the subject matter is embraced more than frowned upon by a whole world of students. But even if a kid isn’t going to be a mathmetician or a scientist, today there are so many different ways to stretch the brain. I wouldn’t have thought of it at first, but when I received an email about using LEGO to celebrate National STEM Day, it immediately made total sense to me. Creating and building, engineering LEGO was and remains a big source of enjoyment for me, and the possibilties that LEGO invites transcends age.
There’s a whole selection of sets from LEGO that lend themselves to STEM, and as the company shared:
Building with LEGO bricks is not just fun, it’s a powerful way to engage young minds in hands-on learning and innovative thinking.
A box of LEGO bricks can transform the way you approach challenges. It sparks creativity, enhances problem-solving skills, and encourages focus, all while providing a platform for families to bond. As you conceptualize and create together, you’ll discover how LEGO sets can serve as a versatile tool for exploration and improvement in everyday life.
Of course, here at Biff Bam Pop! you can imagine we’re pretty big fans of space, as a concept, place, and a genre. On that Here’s a rundown of some sets perfect for STEM and space exploration:
LEGO® Technic NASA Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle
Key functions and features include:
- Featuring a detailed lunar rover model with authentic elements such as seats, steering, suspension and scientific tools.
- Includes three attachable equipment sets that enhance the experience and showcase the Apollo 17 mission, each with its own information plaque.
- Packed with accessories like communications equipment, tools for collecting lunar samples and LEGO Moon rock elements for an immersive building experience.
LEGO® Technic Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit
Key functions and features include:
- Featuring an interactive model that allows kids to build a representation of the Earth, Sun, and Moon in orbit, helping them understand celestial movements.
- Includes a crankshaft that kids can turn to create rotations, showcasing how the Earth and Moon orbit around the Sun and demonstrating the relationship between the Earth’s orbit and the seasons.
- Designed with educational elements like months and moon phases to help kids visualize how these cycles affect our planet throughout the year.
LEGO® City Space Explorers Pack
Key functions and features include:
- Featuring 3 LEGO City space playsets in 1 box: Space Construction Mech, Interstellar Spaceship, and Space Hoverbike, each designed for imaginative space adventures.
- Includes an articulated mech suit with pilot seat, hammer, and claw tool arms, a spaceship with foldout main thrusters, and includes 3 space crew minifigures, a small robot construction figure, drone and space jetpack.
- The LEGO® Builder app provides digital building guides, allowing kids to view models from all angles as they build.
For some kids, these STEM-inspired sets may be the closest they get to outer space. But for others, these could bricks could be the beginning of a great adventure.