Lab Manager’s Holiday Gift Guide
Ten STEM-themed gifts to give your loved ones this holiday season
Our editorial team has hand-picked 10 STEM-themed gifts to give your loved ones this holiday season. Share your passion of science and technology with friends, colleagues, and family, or treat yourself to one of these fun products. With a range of price points and options for every age group, you can put a smile on everyone’s face on your gift-gifting list this year.
1. littleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit
Chosen by Laura Quevedo, eMarketing coordinator
Winner of 50+ toy awards, this customizable droid product is great for the ultimate Star Wars fan. Kids eight years and older can create their own droid and bring it to life using littleBits electronic blocks. The app includes 22 coding missions for users to level up their computer science skills. Available at amazon.com. Price: $64.99
2. National Geographic Scientist Barbie Collection
Chosen by Catherine Crawford-Brown, digital media coordinator
Barbie is an adventurous spirit, always enthusiastic about exploring the world. Now, Barbie has partnered with National Geographic to encourage imagination, expression, and discovery through play. Choose from a marine biologist, astrophysicist, entomologist, or other science professions to kickstart your child’s interest in a STEM career. Available at shop.nationalgeographic.com. Price: $45.95
3. ‘Forget Lab Safety’ T-Shirt
Chosen by MaryBeth DiDonna, lab design editor
We all know lab safety is a top priority, but a little humor never hurt anyone! Embrace your inner superhero with your new go-to casual shirt. Sizes range from juniors to adults, and can also be purchased as a tank top. Available at snorgtees.com. Price: $20
4. Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Framed Print
Chosen by Lauren Everett, managing editor
Want to own a piece of the actual Apollo 11 Command Module? This commemorative print of the Apollo 11 Moon landing also includes a space-flown fragment of the Kapton thermal insulation. Available at scientificsonline.com. Price: $179.95
5. Its Atomic – Periodic Table Game
Chosen by Rachel Muenz, associate editor
Perfect for family game nights or for classroom use, everyone can enjoy this scientific twist on the classic brick tower game. Each brick is printed with an element name and atomic number, and the game features three rule variations: traditional, atomic, and for advanced geeks only. Available at scientificsonline.com. Price: $32.95
6. Giant Microbes Vaccine Pack
Chosen by Michelle Dotzert, scientific technical editor
These plush toy friends may look cute, but don’t let them fool you. The four-pack includes minis of Hepatitis, Polio, Tetanus, and Rotavirus and can serve as a reminder to get vaccinated. Browse the site for other plush vaccine collections. Available at giantmicrobes.com. Price: $16.95
7. Beaker Terrarium Kit
Chosen by Trevor Henderson, editorial director
Do you know a DIY enthusiast? This terrarium kit comes with everything you need to test out your green thumb, including a beaker, accent stones, moss, and an air plant. A great addition to liven up an office or home. Available at etsy.com. Price: $27
8. KiwiCo Crates
Chosen by Danielle Gibbons, art director
Fun and educational science projects delivered right to your door. This monthly subscription allows you to choose from a variety of plans based on age (from infant to 16 years old) and topic of interest. The kits inspire children to think creatively and become problem solvers—young scientists in the making! Available at kiwico.com. Price: starting at $16.95/month
9. Botanical Friends Bud and Mary Jane
Chosen by Andrea Cole, business coordinator
This botanical plush toy pair is the ideal gift for horticulturists, hydroponics lab workers, or chemistry and cannabis enthusiasts. Make Bud and Mary Jane the new mascots of your cannabis research lab, or use them to help teach others about cannabis science and cultivation. Available at labratgifts.com. Price: $19.98
10. Lab Manager Live Events
The Lab Manager team will be hosting three unique events in 2020—the Lab Manager Design Summit, Leadership Summit, and Lab Safety Summit. Come meet us or send employees to one (or more) of these educational events, geared specifically toward lab managers and others in leadership positions. Learn more at: summit.labmanager.com/design; summit.labmanager.com/leadership; and summit.labmanager.com/safety. Registration pricing varies.
Disclaimer: The products in this gift guide were chosen at the discretion of the Lab Manager team, and no additional compensation was received. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider, or party in question.