#GiftSmart with Smart STEM Themed Gifts from Radio Shack

This is a sponsored post

When I was a kid, the primary resource for all things geeky for those who loved to tinker and build was Radio Shack. Little bins towards the back of the store filled with wires, parts that featured buttons, and things that whose purpose was a mystery made the store an interesting place to visit. Radio Shack was the pioneer of the DIY movement for radio and early computer parts for creative tinkerers and these days it still serves as an outpost for STEM-curious tweens and teens who want to tackle a hands-on project they can call their own.

Radio Shack still sells lots of fascinating components and parts but for those who are wary of tackling a pure DIY project, kits serve as a great starting point for STEM loving tweens, teens, and adults who like smart gifts. This holiday season gift smart with smart gifts from Radio Shack that involve creatively using critical thinking and academic skills in a fun way through gifts that are great presents during the holidays but will continue to be used throughout the year.

One way to gift smart this holiday season is through DIY kits that provide clear directions and less risk. Curious middle and high schoolers who want to explore robotics would do well with any of the kits from Make:, the company behind the ever popular Maker Faire, locally hosted festivals featuring invention, creativity and resourcefulness. A new partnership between Make: and Radio Shack brings new kits to the store designed to spark creativity in kids and adults alike with the goal of building.

Experienced computer builders built their own Arduino Uno R3 board would love the Make: it Robotics Starter Kit ($79.99) that contains all the components (except tools and the Arduino board) you need to create your own line-following or walking robot. Simply build your robot, connect the Arduino Uno R3, upload the example program, and watch your creation come to life! Young programmers will get some hands-on experience seeing how writing different computer programs in Arduino can change their robot’s behavior. And this is just the beginning when gifting smart with this smart gift! Future gifts of Make: add on project kits can keep your kid building robots with clamping arms, catapults, drills, spotlights, and more.

While it’s not a DIY kit, aspiring filmmakers who loved remote controlled cars and planes when they were younger can continue to practice their fine motor control, videography, video editing, and storytelling skills with a RC Surveryor Drone ($59.99). With a six axis flight control system, this easy-to-fly fly drone with a built-in camera has the capabilities to capture video or still images from above thanks to a 1080×720 camera. This smart gift that require integrating many skills in the name of creativity and it’s a nicely priced product for your budding Spielberg or budding J.J. Abrams.

With everything from quadcopters, DIY computing kits, and robotics, Radio Shack has a wide selection of carefully curated interactive toys and innovative products for STEM loving kids of all ages. The products featured above are best for  tweens, teens, and adults but check out their selection of Little Bits that we love for STEM loving younger ages!

Why shop Radio Shack this holiday season?

With so many places to shop, Radio Shack offers a wide selection, convenience, and these 4 factors that make it an appealing retail resource for gifting needs to gift smart this holiday season.

• Price matching— While Radio Shack stocks exclusive items, if you happen to find a product there that is elsewhere for a lower price, their R Promise price match guarantee ensures you’ll always get the right product at the right price.
• Convenient locations– Chances are there’s a Radio Shack nearby. They’re located both in malls and also as standalone stores. Standalone stores help avoid an additional trip to the mall and another parking battle.
• Ship for free— Nothing is more annoying at the holidays to visit a store and find that the item you want isn’t on the shelf and is out of stock. If a Radio Shack store is out of stock and can be found elsewhere in their inventory, they will ship it to you for free.
• Flexible payment— Sticking to a holiday budget can be tricky but Radio Shack can also help thanks to multiple ways to pay. Shoppers can choose the plan that best fits their lifestyle to ensure they stay within their budget.

I received products to facilitate this post but all opinions are my own. Some images courtesy of Radio Shack.