Technology is adding to the capability of robots, while simultaneously removing the role of humans. STEM education will be the one put to the test when the most powerful governments of the future will be made of citizens that have a universal education in computer science.   When you were a young adult, did you have a job while you prepared for your career?   Perhaps you… Worked in a local warehouse packaging items? Managed the phone as an operator? Worked the projector at your movie theater? Processed photos at your town store?   These jobs have two things in common. They employed millions of people studying which then became talented CEOs, […]

  What We Are Learning Before saying anything else, we would like to express that we frown upon gambling. After this how-to video, if you turn your house into a casino Creation Crate can not be held responsible for any liabilities. However, if you start to actually make some money. Remember where you learned how to make the machines 🙂 But in all seriousness, there is nothing wrong with creating a fun game that you can play with dinner guests or use to get your parents into letting you stay up past your bedtime! So how does this game exactly work? Simply push the button to “roll the dice”. Roll […]

  What We Are Learning No, it isn’t a Jedi trick… there is an instrument out there that can be played without being touched! The Optical Theremin senses a person’s hand and generates a tone when detected. You can utilize an electrical component known as the potentiometer as a knob to control the instrument. What is a Potentiometer? A potentiometer is a knob that provides variable resistance. This lets us change the resistance level by simply turning the knob. A 10k potentiometer allows us to gradually change the resistance between 0 OHMs and 10K OHMs. Resistance limits the flow of current. The higher the resistance, the lower the current. Don’t be […]

What We Are Learning Have a hard time remembering people’s faces?It could be that you aren’t a people person…or it could be time for you to start thinking about ways to keep your brain sharp and active. Remember, your mind is like any other muscle that in which requires repetition of use through exercises such as mind games. So at Creation Crate, we say… Why buy a mind game when you can make a mind game? That is kind of like two games in one if you really think about it! In this project, you match the pattern of the LEDs to get to the next level. The pattern gets longer […]

    What We Are Learning Do you know how bats get around in the dark? Using echolocation, bats bounce sound waves off of nearby objects to find their way around in complete darkness. Through the Ultrasonic Sensor, you can experience this first-hand! In this video, you will learn how to input a distance reading from an ultrasonic sensor and translate it into an output displayed on a LED bar graph and a tone played through a buzzer. I don’t like bats, but I would be into making a memory game. Let’s be honest, no one likes being left in the dark. (bat pun intended) Isn’t it annoying when you […]

What We Are Learning Watching mood lamps are pretty cool… but taking on an Arduino project that makes a mood lamp is where all the real action is! Don’t worry, making a mood lamp is actually easier than you think. We will program the lamp to change colors and only turn on when the lights are off! In this sneak peak lesson, you will learn how to write your very own computer program in the Arduino language and how to connect electronic components together using a breadboard and some wires. You will learn about basic programming concepts – such as comments and variables – as well as how the Uno R3 microcontroller […]

So…. What Is STEM Education? If you read or watch the news, every once in awhile you hear about how American children are far behind other countries when it comes to math and science education. It’s not because these subjects are boring, it’s because American educators don’t know how to make these subjects fun for younger ages. That’s where you come in, Mom and Dad! You can make science and math fun. It’s important for your youngsters to have a solid foundation in science, technology, engineering and math, collectively called STEM. The younger you pique their interests, the sooner your children’s minds turn to solving problems related to interacting with […]

To Homeschool or Not to Homeschool: That is the Question…. Studies have shown that there is a difference between homeschooled children and children in the public school system. While homeschooling not only produces well-adjusted adults, it gives the parents a chance to spend more time with their children. There are plenty of benefits of homeschooling your child, and this infographic will delve into those benefits and trends. It’s not to say that homeschooling is for every child, but it has produced some amazing results. Take a look at the animated infographic to get some more information about the most common advantages of a homeschooled child versus a public school student. […]

The winter holiday gift-giving season is upon us… … and that means shopping for the kids. As a parent with curious children who like everything, you may not know what your kids want or need this year. There are so many gifts and so little time, how do you come up with gift ideas? This is especially true if you have a Maker in your life. You know, the child who likes to disassemble your toaster oven and put it back together again just to see how it works? That’s a Maker. Unfortunately, a Maker can be difficult to buy for because you don’t want to buy something that may […]

Every parent wants to give his or her children every advantage starting out in life. Experts agree that children benefit most from creative play with math and science in their earliest formative years. Providing your kids with toys, such as those found inside a Creation Crate, help promote critical thinking skills that are essential to helping them get a head start on their education and their future. Here are five toys specially designed to help your children develop critical thinking skills. Magna Tiles (The Valtech Company) http://www.magnatiles.com/ While these are a bit on the pricey side, Magna Tiles are worth every penny. These magnetic locking tiles let your kids build […]