Looking for some STEM-a-licious gifts this holiday season? The Scirens have put together a collection of some of our favorite science, technology, engineering and math-themed gifts.
Have a favorite of your own? Please let us know in the comments!
Wishing you a 2019 filled with love, joy and curiosity!
xo,
Gia, Tamara & Taryn
TO WEAR
Green Botanical Specimen Disc Necklace
$32 – $52
We all know incredible beauty can be found both in nature and the lab…now you can bring a piece with you wherever you go! These discs from Stern Design Works are available in three different sizes in either brass or sterling silver.
TO READ
Cece Loves Science
$12.75
In this adorable picture book by Kimberly Derting, Cece, a budding and inquisitive scientist, and her equally curious best friend, Isaac, conduct experiments to see whether Cece’s dog, Einstein, will eat his vegetables. Perfect for that curious kiddo in your life!
Recommended for preschool – 2nd grade.
What Future 2018
Edited by Meehan Crist and Rose Eveleth
$11
What Future: The Year’s Best Writing on What’s Next for People, Technology, and the Planet is an anthology featuring new writing by and about the scientists, writers, and philosophers who are proposing the options that lay not just ahead, but beyond us. Focused on in-depth long-form journalism and essays, What Future tackles issues critical to our future: climate change and human migration, feminism and gender politics, digital rights and AI.
STEAM Team 5: The Beginning
By Greg Helmstetter and Pamela Metivier
$6.99
The first book in an action/adventure series about five girls, each of whom has a separate interest in science, technology, engineering, the arts and math. The fictional universe built around these characters is designed to grow so that they can serve as ongoing role models for young girls.
Cricket Magazine
Price: Varies. Most subscriptions start at approx. $30/year.
Since all things retro are back, why not go old school with a paper subscription to Cricket Magazines?! For over 40 years, Cricket Media’s 11 award-winning, ad-free magazines have challenged children’s minds and inspired a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around them. Each title is tailored to a specific age range, so pick out what works best for that inquisitive, creative niece or nephew!
She Has Her Mothers Laugh: The Powers, Perversions and Potential of Heredity
By Carl Zimmer
$16 – $20, depending on format
Holidays often mean spending time with family, so what better way to get a handle on your genetic inheritance than with New York Times columnist Carl Zimmer’s fascinating book. Whether you’re a parent, or a child seeking to better understand your parents, master storyteller Zimmer’s book both entertains and informs.
TO PLAY
Bloxels by Mattel
$22 – $49
Kids build their own basic video games by creating bloxels (think pixels) on a board, scanning it with their phone/tablet’s camera, and then seeing their ideas come to life in video game form. First, they will build a basic level design; then a character; and finally, they can play as that character using the companion app on their smartphone. If your kiddo loves video games, this is a way to use what they love to teach them the basics of coding.
Harry Potter Kano Coding Kit
$79.99
If magic or reading is more your kiddo’s thing than video games, here’s another great entry path to coding. Who says the Wizarding World is fiction? STEM gives you the tools to create almost anything! Have your fledgling wizard learn to code with this awesome Harry Potter coding kit from Kano.
National Geographic Beginning Microscope
$42
Bring the lab home and discover the wonders of our microscopic universe with a Beginners Microscope Kit from National Geographic!
DIY Synth Kit
$34.98
For the budding electronic musician in your life, this DIY Synth Kit lets them see inside the science of sound by teaching them how to build their own portable synth. It’s perfect for kids who are ready to really get into the nitty-gritty of how circuits and electronics work.
Jumbo Magnifiers
$28 for set of 6
These easy-to-hold, shatterproof magnifying glasses from Learning Resources will encourage budding pre-school scientists to get up close and personal with nature, from everything from critters to rocks to flowers. Get ready for some awesome stories about what the ants are doing in the backyard!
TO DO
Recycled Wetsuits Yoga Mat
$89
Museum Memberships
Price: Varies
An annual membership to a museum is the gift that keeps on giving all year long! Two Scirens’ favorites here in Los Angeles are the California Science Center and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. No matter where you are, though, a cool Science Center usually isn’t too far away. Check out this list to find the closest one to you!
TO SIP
“You’re Overreacting” Mug
$12.49
If they are spending all day in the lab, then this mug is a must. Perfect for teachers, researchers or anyone who loves a cute chemistry joke.
Molecular Mixology Kit – Gin & Tonic 
$30
Did you ever think you’d have your eureka moment with a gin and tonic in hand? This molecular gastronomy kit is specially tailored to make unique concoctions based on the classic mixed drink. Experiment with cinchona bark – the original source of quinine – and natural food additives to spruce up each refreshing drink with colorful foam or beaded tonic.
