Educational Solar Kits

Recently we have been researching kits that help kids learn about alternative energy, to use in our children's activity programs within the community.  Our main focus was solar energy, however we came across some interesting wind powered kits also, along with a few other kits such as one that was powered by salt water.  Fascinating stuff!

As the solar kits operate by the sun no batteries are required.  Apparently a 50W Halogen light can be used if no sun is available, such as indoors conditions.

Here's a brief run-down of the kits we ended up buying/ordering.  At a later stage, when we have received them all and tried them out, I will write about our impressions of them.


Super Solar Recycler Kit

Great kit which can be used to create 6 different solar powered working models.  These can only be created one at a time however, due to re-use of various parts.  

• Street Roller uses a soft drink can Walking Robot, same as above
• Bottle Yacht, which... you guessed it... uses a plastic bottle and can actually operate on water!
• Drummer Robot which I have seen using a bottle or a can
• Flying Bird, once again, a plastic bottle
• And my favourite, the CD Racer which turns old CD's into shiny wheels!

Lots of fun and raising of green awareness with this kit.  I'm sure inventive kids could work out various other things that they could recycle for use in these models!



14 in 1 Educational Solar Robot Kit

This kit has 14 different working solar powered models you can create, both land and water models. Once again, parts are re-used in the different models.

The models are divided into two levels of difficulty (The kit is rated at 10+): 

• Level One includes: Turtle-bot, Beetle-bot, Quadru-bot, Boat-bot, Walker-bot, Dog-bot, and Wheel-bot.
• Level Two: Roly Poly-bot, Auto-bot, Slither-bot, Surf-bot, Zombie-bot, Crab-bot, and Row-bot.

Additional features includes: adjustable polarity on the solar panel to change direction of motor rotation, retractable robot head which can be quickly stored in the upper body and a transparent housing to see the movements of the gears. 

A quote from Owi, the company who makes this kit- "As the saying goes, “Our children are the future.” And if anything is certain about that future, it is that renewable energy sources and green technologies will play a major role in our children’s lives.  With 14 in 1 Educational Solar Robot Kit, let them learn about their future and have fun doing it with."

EcoRacers Remote controlled Green Energy Micro Cars

Solar energy produces power to recharge a little car, which can then be driven by remote control.

Although, once again, the model operates on solar energy, 2 AA batteries are required for the remote control.

There is also a wind powered version of this kit.  We got both so the kids can find out if one charges faster or better than the other.

6 in 1 Solar Robot Educational Kit

This one has 6 models, all run by solar power.

• Solar Windmill
• Solar Robot
• Solar Helicopter
• Solar Plane
• Solar Airboat
• Solar Wheeler

Easy snap together.  Once again, parts are re-used across the models.

We also ordered some micro solar cars and a mini solar bullet train.  So lots to experiment with!  Should be fun for the kids... and us!