Make an appointment in the XR Lab to use the makertools. See a list of available makertools below.
| Makertool | Makertool Picture | Tool Description | How to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snap Circuits |  |
A hands-on electronics kit with snap-together components like resistors, switches, motors, and lights to create simple circuits. | Students can build working models of electronic circuits to learn how electricity flows and how components like switches and resisters work together. |
| Cubelets Discovery Set |  |
Modular magnetic robotic blocks with built-in sensors, logic, and action. Each block has a unique function. | Students can snap blocks together to build simple robots without programming, exploring logic, cause-and-effect, and basic robotics principles. |
| Makey Makey Classic |  |
An invention kit that turns everyday objects (like bananas or foil) into touchpads by completing circuits using alligator clips and USB. | Students can create interactive projects by connecting the Makey Makey to computers and using objects as buttons, learning about conductivity and coding. |
| LegoBricQ |  |
A Lego stem set focused on physics concepts such as force and motion without electronics. | Students can build models like catapults or race cars to understand motion, gravity, and balance through experimentation. |
| Strawbees Imagination Kit |  |
A creative building system using colorful straws and connectors to build geometric structures and moving parts. | Students can design and build prototype structures, bridges, or mechanical arms, fostering creativity, engineering, and teamwork skills. |
| K'Nex |  |
Interlocking plastic rods, connectors, and gears for building mechanical models like vehicles, machines, and architectural structures. | Students can create models that demonstrate physics and engineering concept like tension, rotation, and gear mechanisms. |
| Makedo Tools |  |
A set of tools designed for cutting, folding, and connecting cardboard to build anything from houses to robots. | Students can engineer large-scale prototypes or structures using recycled cardboard, developing design thinking and sustainability awareness. |
| Invitation to Draw |  |
A set of prompt cards that spark creativity and imaginative drawing exercises. | Students can use the prompts for free drawing, storytelling, or journal entries, encouraging visual thinking and open-ended creativity. |
| Bayou Building 2402, 2700 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX 77058-1002 |