Technology ideas for 11 yo dd

[Bogiesaremyonlyfriend]

Dd aged 11 has just started tech lessons at school and is absolutely loving them, never seen such joy when she comes home telling me about drilling and soldering! She is making some kind of robot with flashing lights/moves. I'm wanting to foster this at home as I think it would be something really good to do together as she is getting older and not wanting to spend so much time with her mum! But I've no clues where to start. Google seems to just have basic kids sets so think I'm looking for the wrong things. I've looked into raspberry pi but again not sure if suitable or quite what I want. Any ideas please mumsnet?? I'd like to be able to make something with her that does something, preferably using electrics and tools if thats possible!!

A Microbit sounds like it might go down well. And start her off with a set of her own tools.

Ahh they look great thanks!!

Good thing Christmas is coming! I'd start by looking at the Make and STEM section of the Maplin website for ideas. (Though it looks like quite a lot of items are out of stock it might give you ideas for further search).

Amazon looks to have some kits which may be of interest if you filter by age. What I'm not spotting immediately is kits based more on components and soldering which I'm sure do exist... we got DD her soldering iron when she was about 12, and some kits for e.g. a simple radio.

Raspberry pi is a good idea though maybe in a couple of years time.

It sounds like your DD wants to do 'real' stuff, but worth considering some of the older 'technical' Lego and k'nex options. (DDs first 'icebreaker' week of uni labs on her MEng was based on the Lego robotics kits)

Tools and doing DIY are good too. One simple but useful project might to be to make a bird box from scratch - instructions here

www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/nestboxes/nestboxes-for-small-birds/making-and-placing-a-bird-box/

Just as a matter of course, if you get anything like flatpack furniture or are doing diy jobs get her to help. Do get safety glasses for both of you if you're drilling etc - doing things safely is important to instill.

I'll see if I can think of anything else.

It might be helpful if you asked her tech teacher for suggestions too - I'm sure they'd appreciate knowing how much she's enjoying the lessons!

I can highly recommend The Pi Hut - I've ordered a Raspberry Pi 400 for my 8 yo for Christmas (we will be learning together!) and also a microbit robot.

thepihut.com/collections/raspberry-pi/products/raspberry-pi-400-personal-computer-kit

thepihut.com/collections/micro-bit-kits-bundles/products/tp-bot-smart-car-robot-kit-for-bbc-micro-bit

I'd reach out to them on Facebook they were fantastic at giving me age appropriate gift suggestions.

I went for that robot as it was already assembled and we want to focus more on the coding. They definitely had ones that were more construction based and would suit an older child.

The company itself is specialist and they are selling proper computer items rather than toys that you might find on Amazon.

Thanks, I'll check out the suggestions. Weve already got the lego robot kit for Christmas, she loves lego and thought it would be good for the coding side of it.

Yeah will ask her teacher too, was wondered whether that would be ok or weird. Shell probably tell me its faaaarrr to embarrassing!! 🤣

My experience of tech teachers (which is obviously a small sample) is that they're likely to be enthusiastic about their subjects - and be particularly pleased to find a girl bucking ridiculous old fashioned stereotypes. The very fact your dd loves the lessons suggests they're likely to be of this ilk.

Just one thing ...when you said 'preferably using electrics and tools', obviously no mucking around with mains electricity!! Use power tools only as intended, build things powered by batteries at this stage. (Im sure you weren't planning on her rewiring the house!)

Have a look at Arduino.