Thames & Kosmos STEM Kit First Steps Coding Principles and Robots 417 plastic parts 3 - 6 years

The Thames & Kosmos Kids First Coding & Robotics STEM kit teaches children coding principles and skills through a cute robot shaped like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. You do not need a tablet, smartphone, or computer to program this robot: programs are created by simply laying out a sequence of cards. As the robot moves over the coding cards, an OID optical scanner on the bottom of the robot reads the cards one by one and loads the program.

After creating the program, place the robot on a grid and it will execute the instructions. You can program the robot to move in different directions, activate its output gear, turn on its LED, emit sounds, and respond to different function cards. The integrated output gear makes it possible to build simple robotic creations with arms or other moving parts that respond according to the program's instructions.

This kit also teaches physical engineering and problem-solving skills through a series of building and coding lessons. The 30 lessons are aligned with computer science education standards developed by the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) and the International Society for Technology (ISTE) Education, as well as courses from Code.org. The lessons progress in complexity through the illustrated manual, making the kit suitable for children from age 4 with the help of an adult, up to age eight. The lessons cover six key areas in coding: sequencing, loops, events, conditionals, functions, and variables.

6 stories are included, each with a series of building and coding challenges: a mouse moves through a maze to find cheese; a penguin walks through a zoo; a soccer player kicks a ball into a goal; a fire truck puts out a fire; and a factory robot performs tasks in a factory department. A full-color illustrated manual guides users through the coding lessons and the assembly of the various models. The set contains 417 pieces, 30 experiments, and an instruction manual; it is made of plastic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a tablet or computer to program the robot? No, programs are created by simply laying out a sequence of cards that the robot reads with an OID optical scanner.

For what age is the kit suitable? It is suitable for a child from 4 years old with the help of an adult, up to eight years old, with age bands of 3 - 6 years and 6 - 9 years.

How many pieces and lessons does the set contain? The set contains 417 pieces, 30 experiments, 6 stories, and a full-color illustrated instruction manual.