Spark innovation with this screen-free engineering set!Mechanical thinking skills for grades 3-8. Empower a classroom of 30 students, working in pairs, to tackle STEM challenges with this classroom set of Catalyst Kits. Well-structured lessons and all required supplies allow teachers to hit the ground running. Three units are available for grades 3-8 (up to 30 class sessions!), and one unit is available for grades K-2. The Learning Experience The Catalyst Kit engages students in engineering using real materials—like wood parts, screws, wingnuts, and L-brackets—paired with motors and battery packs to create working circuits. Students quickly see how everyday hardware connects to scientific principles, making abstract concepts tangible. What's Inside 15 Electric Motors Catalyst Kits All building components needed for 4 curriculum units Printed and bound Curriculum Guide (100+ pages) Printed and bound Challenge Guide (50+ pages) 15 Decks of student challenge cards 15 Decks of student tip cards Convenient storage cabinet Designed for Classrooms Minimal prep, maximum impact: Everything you need is in the box, from batteries to brainstorming paper. Just open and go. Screen-free and NGSS-aligned: Students practice engineering design and physical science standards without devices or logins. Goal-directed but unscripted: With 10 challenge cards, students get direction without step-by-step instructions, encouraging them to problem-solve and think creatively. Why Teachers Love It Quick builds, lasting engagement: Challenges can be started and completed within a class period, but students are motivated to keep tinkering. Authentic engineering: Using the same kinds of materials found in real machines, students experience what it’s like to be inventors, not just builders. Reusable and open-ended: The kit is designed to be made, unmade, and remade—again and again.
