Robomaker : Another Christmas Toy Idea and a STEM Educational Toy to Boot!

STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) is such an important skill that we need to be encouraging in our children and the more we can do that the better. I have an academically bright daughter who loves getting stuck in with robots and coding and this is something I am keen to develop. Therefore when we were invited to review the Robomaker from Clementoni we jumped at the chance as I knew that it would challenge Erin. Robomaker is also likely to be a popular Christmas toy this year plus it is an educational toy making it a win win for me!

STEM is important because technology is moving so fast and we now understand that there is going to be a skill shortage in this area in the future. Therefore by developing an interest in our young people, we are providing the building blocks and hopefully, this will help them in the future. Schools are working hard to promote stem and this educational toy reinforces that.

Learning and enjoying STEM activities can aid our children in many ways, it is perfect for problem-solving and getting them to understand the basics of engineering and coding. I also want my daughter to realise that STEM is not just for boys and Erin approached building Robomaker educational toy with confidence and enthusiasm.

If your children enjoy lego then in my mind this is the next stage up as it becomes responsive and teaches more than construction. It is a gift of learning.

What’s in the box?

The Science Museum Robomaker Toy offers the opportunity to build different robots. This innovative laboratory brings incredible intelligent robots to life and opens up the final frontier of educational robotics! With 1 cybernetic brain, 3 electric motors, 2 IR sensors, 1 touch sensor, 1 speaker and more than 250 interchangeable components, your child will be able to build 5 robots of increasing complexity that can be programmed manually or via the APP. They can then be made to follow routes and your child will have fun with the many activities proposed for each model. With the X1-Explorer, your child can program movement, speed and sound effects. With the X2-Spider, they can simulate the behaviour of prey or predator. With the X3-Sumobot, they can carry out line-following activities. With the X4-Guardian, they can sweep an area looking for intruders. Finally, with the X5-Droid, they can pick up objects and arrange them according to colour! The infra-red sensors allow the robots to identify objects around them and the touch sensor recognises when the robot has picked them up.

All that in one box!

So, how did Erin get on?

First of all, I had downloaded the free app onto Erin’s iPad. I then opened the box and had it on the dining table ready for when she got home from school. Yes, I am that mother! But in all seriousness, Erin enjoys having a challenge and something set out for her to get on with. Plus it makes a change from making slime at the moment!

Erin quickly identified the robot she wanted to make, this Robomaker set is aimed at children 9/10 + and she is 8. I anticipated that she would need some support but she made quick work of getting started.

The app has a build mode and it is also in 3D which we loved. This meant that she could turn the image around to ensure she was putting pieces in the right place. Erin was able to identify the pieces she needed and also she knew where they went. She did struggle with the pushing of the pieces together as it can be fiddly and needs some manipulation. However, she grasped the concept and was able to follow the instructions with ease. She was really excited to see what she could create from this educational toy.

This is definitely a project and it takes time. Again this is a plus point for me as Erin usually whizzes through activities but this is going to challenge and test her which is what she needs and it will open her mond to robotics.

We haven’t yet completed the first Clementoni 61757 Science Museum Robomaker Toy but I know that it won’t be long until it is completed.

Robomaker is a great educational toy that offers children the chance to be an engineer. It can be bought at Amazon >>> Clementoni 61757 Science Museum Robomaker Toy << for £69.99 and considering the possibilities it offers I believe this to be good value for money. I am looking forward to Erin’s final robot and will share the completed spider in an update.

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