This kit spares you that error. The pre-bent crank and laser-cut parts fit precisely; you only need scissors, glue, and a few evenings. Instructions are well illustrated, and online there’s a build video and a teacher’s guide. The delicate ’thopter weighs ¼oz, has a 16″ wingspan, and flies about 1 minute on 200 turns of the rubber band. At press time BirdKit.com was upgrading the kit, so yours may fly that much better.

The finished project is fun to use: you lift it a half-inch above the table and drop it to “roll” the die. A piezoelectric buzzer senses the impact and triggers the circuit to generate a random number and illuminate the LEDs. Everyone I show it to smiles at the way it works.

The kit comes with all electronic components, PCB, hardware, and a 2B pencil. It works with any pencil (the softer, the better), and is ridiculously fun for all ages. Reviewer Sue from Boston writes: “I have never soldered anything until this kit. It took about an hour to put together, going slow. Once I finished and tested it out, the shrill sound it produces made my cat hiss at me and run out of the room. I’d recommend this to any beginners out there.”

Reviewer Barry from Emeryville, Calif., writes: “I built a Drawdio and showed it around my physics class (which happens to be studying electrical circuits) and got a great response. One of my guys even started brainstorming a musical instrument, something really big and loud based on the resistance of a long copper pipe. Good times!”

Reviewer Thomas O’Brien from San Antonio writes: “The instruction booklet is very well written and goes step by step with clear explanations. My grandson Ben, 5, helped put components in the holes of the circuit board, then I soldered them, and he clipped the wires. He likes working with the magnifier to see what’s going on, while I solder. I showed him how to insert batteries correctly (look for the plus sign). The kit went together without a hitch and worked the first time. Grandma, look what we made! Thanks for a nice, well-designed kit — an easy one that a youngster can help build.”

Reviewer Tyler Bennett of Cary, N.C., writes: “This kit was a lot of fun for me as well as my 11- and 12-year-old grandkids. The kids put the kit together (with me looking over their shoulders) in around two hours and then we all enjoyed running it around on the floor.”

Using the power of open source, this shield allows you to make awesome black-and-white video games on your TV. It supports up to two Nintendo Wii Nunchuk controllers for an easy and familiar interface. (Arduino and Wii Nunchuks not included.)

This easy-to-use science kit is perfect for first-time experimenters with little or no experience. Ages 10 and up.