Unboxing Strawbees STEAM School Kit (for up to 30 Learners)

When it comes to STEAM learning, innovative tools can transform a learner's experience and educational development both in the classroom and at after-school clubs. The Strawbees STEAM School Kit provides your school with everything you need to create fun and engaging learning experiences for both settings, aiming to empower young learners with hands-on activities that blend creativity with failing forwards!

One thing that is always difficult to articulate online is the size and scope of the Strawbees STEAM School Kit. In this unboxing, we aim to provide you with a digital visualisation of the kit by comparing and contrasting it to a Strawbees STEAM Starter Kit (designed for 1-2 learners) initially. Subsequently guiding educators through the unboxing process, from first impressions, what’s included in the kit, how to get the best usage out of it, and the additional benefits we foresee a school kit providing. This should give any educator enough insight to choose the right kit for their school, based on specific needs and classroom settings.

First Impressions

If you’ve used Strawbees before or are familiar with the size of the kits this won’t come as any surprise, but the STEAM School Kit is huge, especially compared to the starter kit. Where the starter kit is great for smaller lessons, it’s only going to give you a flavour of what can be achieved with the school kit, which is big enough to transform any school cross-curricular learning with there being enough equipment in the kit to facilitate multiple lessons, builds and exploring what can be done as individual learners as well as in groups.

Note: If you already have a starter kit, it can easily be incorporated into the school kit or kept separate for individual learning. 

As you can see from the table above the school kit is a mammoth compared to the starter kit:

Beyond differences in size, several thoughts are worth considering when comparing a starter kit to a school kit. Firstly, in terms of an initial learning curve, the ability to simply open each box and start to use either kit is purposefully low. Whether in a 1-to-1 learning environment or as a group activity, both kits are designed to be opened and used within a matter of minutes. As we will discuss later both Strawbees Classroom and, to a lesser extent, the posters that are included facilitate this immediacy. 

The quantity and variety of straws and connectors in each school kit translate to different learning opportunities, with group activities being more accessible simply through having more components. And with more components come bigger builds! The school kit size means that learners and educators can design and build on a bigger scale, collaborate on individual projects or add a level of competition to activities similar to that of the Strawbees Maths Week London Challenge. This is a key differential when it comes to planning lessons and classroom engagement.

Specification

Let’s talk specifics. 

If you’re going to invest in the school kit and make it a fundamental part of your learners' curriculum-aligned education then it’s worth understanding these key factors.

How many learners can use it?

The box states up to 30 learners, which would mean if you maximised this each learner would be creating with 60+ straws and 80+ connectors which is more than enough to get creative. With one of the benefits of Strawbees being its versatility in usage, it can be just as beneficial (if not more so) to learn and create in groups meaning even more of the kit can be used in a single build.

What is the age range?

Although the box says the kit is for learners as young as 6 right up to 14 (Y2 - Y10 in England and P3-S2 in Scotland), Strawbees is compatible with most age groups from Reception right through Secondary School - especially with the additional kits such as STEAM Class Robotics which include micro:bit and everything you need to get coding.

Are there any additional resources?

Why of course! On all Strawbees packaging, there is a QR code that takes you directly to  Strawbees Classroom, the free online resource for both educators and learners to use to enhance hands-on learning. This includes lessons, activities, guides and how-tos to get you started. The ‘teacher view’ makes it as easy as possible to stick to a lesson plan even if you are new to STEAM.

Check out the Strawbees Classroom walkthrough as a guide to get you acquainted with the platform. There is more to say about this resource which can be read in the Additional Benefits You Need to Know About section below.

Away from the actual physical components, of which there are over 4,000 pieces in the kit,  and online resources that learners will use there are a number of nice touches that add to the versatility of the school kit.

Ideas Posters - You get two posters which are a great place to start when new to Strawbees as they are full of quick and simple builds which can be very quickly implemented into a classroom or afterschool club taking the hassle and frustration away from having to learn a whole new product vernacular.

As there are two it gives educators an opportunity to build around them in a classroom setting rather than using one which may get lost amongst a whole host of other teaching material.

Ideas Cards Packs - As well as the posters, the school kits come with a pack of ideas cards. Aptly named Pocketful of Ideas, the idea-generating cards (105 in total) come as two sets with different levels of difficulty. Each set helps to stimulate the imagination of the learner and inspire storytelling and innovation. As there is no right or wrong, each card provides learners with the opportunity to build through their own interpretation of what each card states. Here is an example of each:

Inventor Card - Make a hat to organise ideas

Crazy Inventor Card - You are digging and accidentally slip down a secret tunnel into a cave with a running river. Create something to help you escape!

Again, it is a great option that allows educators to open the box and start using it straight away.

Check out the online channel over on Strawbees Classroom - Pocketful of Ideas where some of the ideas are brought to life and digital versions of the card decks are available. 

Storage Box - As there are over 4000 components, having the packaging turn into a ready-made storage box with individual sections of the straws and connectors is an excellent time-saver, both from a set-up and storage perspective.

The straws can be pulled completely out meaning they can be placed at the centre of a class or table and stored away post-lesson or activity.

Using the Strawbees School Kit

The Strawbees STEAM School Kit stands out as a versatile and user-friendly tool for facilitating STEAM learning in both classroom and after-school settings. Its comprehensive design allows educators to seamlessly integrate hands-on, creative learning experiences into their lesson plans backed by comprehensive online resources. 

The kit is designed for use by multiple learners, encouraging teamwork and collaborative problem-solving. This is particularly beneficial in fostering a classroom environment where learners need to work together, share ideas, and develop social skills alongside their technical knowledge.

Included in the kit are two posters and a pack of Pocketful of Ideas cards, which provide immediate, practical activities to get learners started. These resources, combined with access to Strawbees Classroom, offer a rich repository of lesson plans, activities, and instructional guides that expand the kit's usability beyond just a box of components.

This integration makes it a dynamic resource that evolves with the curriculum and learners' needs.

The ease of use is further enhanced by the well-organised storage system. Keeping the kit tidy and components sorted not only speeds up the building process but also instils good habits in learners regarding the organisation and maintenance of materials. This aspect of the kit promotes skills that are valuable both within and beyond the scope of STEAM learning.

Strawbees Classroom - The Free Online Resource You Need to Know About

One of the standout features of the Strawbees STEAM School Kit is the extensive support provided to educators. Strawbees Classroom, the online platform, offers a wealth of resources, including lesson plans, activity guides, instructional videos, and professional development materials. The Strawbees Classroom platform is designed to make it as easy as possible for educators to integrate Strawbees into their lessons, regardless of their prior experience with STEAM education.

Teachers can access ready-made lesson plans that align with curriculum standards, ensuring that the activities meet educational objectives. The platform also offers customisable resources, allowing educators to tailor lessons to their specific classroom needs. The professional development resources help educators build confidence and competence in delivering STEAM education, providing strategies for effective instruction and classroom management.

Community Engagement

Community engagement is another critical component. The kit and its resources encourage collaboration not only among learners but also among educators and the broader school community. Schools can host after-school clubs and STEAM competitions, where learners can showcase their projects to parents and community members. This fosters a sense of community and highlights the value of STEAM education.

Moreover, partnerships with local businesses, universities, and STEAM organisations can enrich the learning experience. These collaborations can provide learners with access to real-world expertise, resources, and opportunities for hands-on learning outside the classroom. For example, local engineers or artists can be invited to speak to learners or collaborate on Strawbees builds, providing insights into STEAM careers and applications.

Curriculum Integration and Real-World Application

Integrating the Strawbees STEAM School Kit into your curriculum can be a game-changer for educators and learners. The kit aligns with curriculum standards, making it a valuable tool aiming to deliver comprehensive, hands-on STEAM learning. By incorporating Strawbees into subjects like science, mathematics, art, and technology, educators can create interdisciplinary projects that bring lessons to life.

For example:

• A lesson on geometric shapes in mathematics can be enhanced by building 3D structures with Strawbees.
• In science, learners can explore engineering principles by designing and testing various bridge models. 
• Art classes can benefit from the creativity and design aspects, allowing learners to build artistic structures or kinetic sculptures.
• Technology lessons can incorporate Strawbees with coding and robotics kits, fostering a deeper understanding of how mechanical and digital systems interact.

Real-world application is another significant advantage. The hands-on nature of Strawbees encourages learners to experiment, fail, and try again, which mirrors real-world engineering and scientific processes. This trial-and-error learning builds resilience and problem-solving skills. Additionally, the kit supports project-based learning, where learners can work on extended projects that address real-world problems, such as designing sustainable structures or creating prototypes for innovative solutions.

Summary

The Strawbees STEAM School Kit is a compact, well-organized resource that provides everything needed to facilitate engaging and effective STEAM education. Its ready-made storage solution ensures that components are easy to manage and access, enhancing the overall user experience.

The inclusion of Pocketful of Ideas cards is a significant bonus, offering instant inspiration and practical starting points for projects. The kit’s design allows for easy use by multiple learners, making it ideal for collaborative activities and team-based projects.

As an excellent tool for STEAM learning, the kit is comprehensive enough to provide long-term educational value. Additional kits can be incorporated over time to expand the learning possibilities, but the school kit alone is substantial enough to support a wide range of projects and activities. 

Before making a purchase discuss the critical takeaways from this unboxing and what will best suit your school and the educational setting you want to create, be it a small class or large group, classroom setting or an afterschool club, shared resource or class/year specific and most importantly the educational objectives from your curricular.

Overall, the Strawbees STEAM School Kit is a highly effective and valuable addition to any educational environment aiming to foster creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative skills in the world of STEAM.

Useful Links

Strawbees STEAM School Kit - For Up To 30 Learners

Strawbees STEAM Starter Kit - 1-2 Learners

Strawbees Classroom - Free Online Resource