This month, the Global Search for Education Global Blogger Series takes on the all important question: “What’s the best gift you would recommend for your students this holiday season?” Since I have just about wrapped up my holiday shopping, I have a few suggestions.
2016 may become known as the “Design Thinking & Making Christmas” to all who receive presents from me though it started as the year of the Kiwi Crate. According to the web site, Kiwi Crate aims to inspire a new generation of “scientists, artists, and makers.” Whether you buy one crate or a monthly subscription, each box contains a mini project for kids to design and build.
Different crates for different ages
This year, I also became enfatuated with the Extraordinaires Design Studio. Earlier this fall, I wrote about how this game inspires teachers and students to embrace design thinking, making, and innovation. For a few of my older friends, I bought the Deluxe version of the game and can’t wait to see what they do with it. Not only do the Extraordinaires inspire kids to use their imaginations and create new products, but it also gives them a chance to think like a designer. For even more fun, they can download different Design & Make instructions to learn how to physically create some of their creations. The video below provides a great overview.
This holiday season, I wanted presents that would last longer than a few hours and hopefully inspire the recipients throughout the new year. These seemed like fantastic options to achieve that goal.