To ask what you are getting your teen maths/computer science nerd for Christmas?

[DeRigueurMortis]

Hi,

I'm at a loss. I've asked him for ideas but he's not been forthcoming.

I've ordered a couple of books I think he will like but other than that I've drawn a blank.

He's already got the main gadgets (laptop/phone/watch/tablet) over previous birthdays/Christmas and none are in need of an upgrade/replacement (by way of example his phone/iPad mini are quite old but he's perfectly happy with them and doesn't want a new one).

He's not into music and clothes are "boring".

So has anyone come up with something cool for the 16/17 year old self proclaimed and proud of it nerd in their life?

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

DRM

Books, electronics and Lego? I’m in!

I’ve been eyeing up the Turing Tumble too. Not sure my kids would appreciate it, but that’s no reason not to get one, right?

Bitcoin

Periodic table/chemistry top trumps
Night sky 2020 guide - it tells you which stars/planets etc to look outfor and when
Science/Techy magazine subscription

And yes to lego. Yet to meet a teenager who doesn’t like it

@Curious2468 - sorry to derail the OP, but can you tell me a bit more about the printer - my 15 yo D&D nerd might just like that & I've been really struggling with a main gift for him! I am not techy - will he be able to sort it without help...?

Ah, sorry @Curious2468 - I've just seen you've answered some of my questions already up thread and I'd missed it - sorry!

A microscope. Dd (12) seems very much like your son. She has the telescope etc. I bought her a microscope and she loves it. You can get some amazing ones for £150 or less if budget is smaller.

My geeky nerdy son asked for a Tor server, but as that’s used for the dark web I said no, so has asked for a 1TB hard drive and cable ties for his homemade computer Kielder observatory have some good evenings - so may be a trip there. Does he like Brian Cox he sometimes does tours, we bought tickets for him to see that. Big Lego sets (think Star Wars and Bugatti sets).

I’ve been doing this for 14 years - it never gets easier

Check out videos on YouTube by ‘tomb of 3D printed horrors’

The ender needs occasional tweaking and it comes in a kit you build but the quality of what it produces are amazing. If he likes d&d he would be in his element with one!!ive printed dice towers, a dungeon, loads of figures, portal etc.

I have no idea how to post a link but Matt Parker does stand up maths comedy. He’s touring next spring if you live near any of the venues.

He probably would like Lego but tbh we are already drowning in it (you name it he's got it, especially Star Wars Lego - Death Star, Millenium Falcon, etc etc all bought by DF who's an avid AFOL, yes there's definitely some nerd genes that are inherited!)

I think the only one he'd want given he already has the key sets is the Imperial Cruiser which is rare and retails for about £600 and even DF would draw the line at that (unless he was buying it for himself and DM wouldn't divorce him ).

Nerdy me at his age was utterly fascinated by Simon Singh's The Code Book, so if he likes reading at all I'd recommend that.

Binary clock?

I bought one for my son last year and it is very geeky

Thanks Patte I'll take a look!

Thanks to all for their suggestions it's been super helpful and hopefully to other PoSPN's (parents of self proclaimed nerds)

My sister got a Raspberry Pi starter kit for my 15 yr old maths/ computer nerd!

There’s some awesome stuff on this thread. I feel like Mumsnet is missing a dedicated techno-joy corner!

No suggestions but just wanted to say what a great thread! I’ve got loads of ideas for ds (12) but may have to wait for his birthday now!

If you’re anywhere near Cambridge the Raspberry Pi shop has Turing Tumbles in stock.
DS son loves his.

Sadly nowhere near Cambridge nor do I I know anyone locally who could get one (I checked out the store website but they won't do online/phone sales).

So thanks for the tip, not great for me but maybe will help someone else!

Thank you so much to all the posters! Many helpful hints and ideas for my Maths geek.

So people have been so generous with ideas I thought bud share some things we've bought in the past and what went down well (and not so well).

The good stuff:

• fairly predictably his Alienware Laptop

• headphones and desk speaker so he can play minecraft and Skype online with friends

• old laptops he's cannibalised for parts (and added new ones) to build his own minecraft server

• 3D printer (strictly speaking it's a family item but he loves it and uses it more than anyone else)

• raspberry pi and multiple accessories he's bought with his own money subsequently

• Lego for some reason it never gets old

• biro pens with 4 colours. He loves them in maths class for doing graphs etc and goes through loads of them

• graphics calculator. I think it's his pride and joy.

• Books with a maths/physics theme

• soldering iron

• a really nice office chair for his bedroom desk

• chess set

The "meh" stuff:

• iPad mini got a lot of use to start with but tbh he really sees it as an inferior computer. It's mainly used in bed for watching the likes of Dr Who and suchlike and taking on holiday.

• telescope. He likes it but seems to go through phases of being addicted to it then not using it for months.

The wasted money stuff:

• mobile phone (he inherited my old iPhone 6s). He's not that fussed about a phone (thinks it's useless for games, not interested in social media etc so really only used for contacting us).

• iWatch was a 6 week wonder. Not really surprising in hindsight given his attitude towards his phone and the two work together (I've now inherited this with his blessing)

• Spero good for about a month then collected dust

Great thread for ideas for my ds 15 DnD geek

Hi,
I noticed you said he's not into music but just in case a keyboard with the "simply piano" app or an electric guitar with the "yousician" app make learning an instrument a lot like playing a computer game.

The apps listen to each note you play e.g
go green if you get the note right and continue and go red/start again if you get it wrong. Make learning very rewarding with this instant feedback in real time and tons of modern tracks/backing music so you can be playing along to favourite songs from day 1.

www.pvelectronics.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1

Nixie tube clock? Either ready made or a self assembly kit.

Massive chemistry set.