The Hydraulics STEM Maker Class Set offers the same engaging experience as the full Maker Set, but in a smaller format, perfect for classrooms and outreach groups with 15-30 students. Many teachers, homeschoolers, after-school Maker Spaces, STEM camps, and Scouts/Guides groups love the open-ended creativity of the original Maker Set but don’t need materials for up to 50 students.
Intuitive yet challenging, this set allows children aged 6+ to explore hydraulics through hands-on building and experimentation. Whether they create a machine that solves a real-world problem or a contraption that simply makes them laugh, students learn to think creatively and critically as they connect parts and make their projects move.
With a simple challenge, students can imagine, experiment, problem-solve, and build, or simply tinker! The components are highly intuitive, so there’s a fast learning curve, allowing more time for testing ideas and refining designs. Instructional staff require minimal training, as the parts are easy to understand and versatile enough to create everything from simple mechanisms to complex Rube Goldberg-style machines. A newly added gripper mechanism makes the set even more adaptable. Check the Gallery for examples of what can be built. This set will truly elevate any STEM programme.
Developed in collaboration with the Lawrence Hall of Science at UC Berkeley, the Hydraulics STEM Maker Class Set has been thoroughly field-tested and is now used in Maker Spaces and science centres worldwide. It’s a low-tech yet open-ended resource that offers rich, long-lasting educational value.
Ideal for STEM programmes covering:
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Levers and simple machines
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Design and technology
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Engineering and invention
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Fluid studies
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Science fair projects
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Engineering design process
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Forces and motion
