--- title: SparkFun Education Blog | STEM (3) description: STEM | Maker Education Blog (3) --- [![Sparkfun](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/img/logo.png)](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/index.html) - [SparkFun Webstore](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com) - [Higher Ed](https://sparkfuneducation.com/higher-ed/index.html) - [Contact Us](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/contact-us.html) - [Follow Us](https://twitter.com/SparkFunEDU) - [Home](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com) - [Blog](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com) - [Curriculum](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/curriculum.html) - [PD/Events](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/professional-dev.html) - [KITS/Materials](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/materials.html) - [Educator Stories](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/educator-stories.html) - [Activities](https://activities.sparkfuneducation.com) [Blog Home](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/) / SparkFun Education Blog [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/37703736591_68398b4b9d_k.jpg)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/sparkfun-avc-2018-rules) ## [SparkFun AVC 2018 Rules](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/sparkfun-avc-2018-rules) BY [Shawn Hymel](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/shawn-hymel) 5/1/18 7:00 AM [0](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/sparkfun-avc-2018-rules#comments-listing) [AVC](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/avc) [robotics](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/robotics) [STEM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/stem) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Start your engines! If you're ready to build your bot to compete in one of SparkFun's Autonomous Vehicle Competition divisions, we've got the rules ready for you:... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/sparkfun-avc-2018-rules) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/April%202018/SF%20Blog_RN4.jpeg)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/build-a-bot-change-the-world) ## [Build a Bot. Change the World.](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/build-a-bot-change-the-world) BY [Janelle Curtis](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/janelle-curtis) 4/24/18 7:00 AM [0](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/build-a-bot-change-the-world#comments-listing) [Guest Post](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/guest-post) [robotics](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/robotics) [STEM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/stem) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) This is a guest post from Janelle Curtis at RoboNation.... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/build-a-bot-change-the-world) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/37055146553_06de4a994b_k-1.jpg)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/save-the-date-for-sparkfun-avc-2018-autonomous-vehicles-and-combat-robots-at-the-boulder-county-fairgrounds) ## [Save the Date for SparkFun AVC 2018: Autonomous Vehicles and Combat Robots at the Boulder County Fairgrounds!](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/save-the-date-for-sparkfun-avc-2018-autonomous-vehicles-and-combat-robots-at-the-boulder-county-fairgrounds) BY [Megan Arnold](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/megan-arnold) 4/17/18 6:30 AM [0](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/save-the-date-for-sparkfun-avc-2018-autonomous-vehicles-and-combat-robots-at-the-boulder-county-fairgrounds#comments-listing) [Events](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/events) [AVC](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/avc) [STEAM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/steam) [STEM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/stem) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) SparkFun AVC 2018 promises to bigger and better than ever for our student teams, and not just because this year marks the 10th anniversary of the event! Mark your calendars for September 7 & 8, ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/save-the-date-for-sparkfun-avc-2018-autonomous-vehicles-and-combat-robots-at-the-boulder-county-fairgrounds) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/Maya's%20LED%20Thrift%20Shop%20Paintings-01%20(1)-2.jpg)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/march-2018-blog-post) ## [A Simple, Inexpensive Paper Circuit STEM Activity](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/march-2018-blog-post) BY [Maya Kleinbort](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/maya-kleinbort) 4/5/18 7:00 AM [1](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/march-2018-blog-post#comments-listing) [paper circuits](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/paper-circuits) [basic circuits](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/basic-circuits) [STEM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/stem) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/march-2018-blog-post) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/2microbits_take2.png)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/working-with-the-radio-on-the-microbit) ## [Free your radio functionality on the micro:bit](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/working-with-the-radio-on-the-microbit) BY [Derek Runberg](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/derek-runberg) 3/29/18 6:00 AM [4](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/working-with-the-radio-on-the-microbit#comments-listing) [micro:bit](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/microbit) [programming](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/programming) [computer science](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/computer-science) [STEM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/stem) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) The micro:bit has made a huge impact on getting "quicker to awesome" in the classroom. From third grade to high school and beyond, it has proved itself to be a platform that is easy to learn and ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/working-with-the-radio-on-the-microbit) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/Feb%202018/7171736880_5e592b9290_z.jpg)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/february-stem-events) ## [February STEM Events](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/february-stem-events) BY [Toni Klopfenstein](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/toni-klopfenstein) 2/13/18 6:33 AM [0](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/february-stem-events#comments-listing) [Events](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/events) [STEM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/stem) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) February can be a tough month for keeping students (and educators) engaged. The weather is often still dreary, the holidays are a distant memory, and the semester is back in full swing. Luckily, ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/february-stem-events) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/Feb%202018/24445181093_9f2de37aff_z.jpg)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/science-fair-ideas) ## [Science Fair Project Ideas](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/science-fair-ideas) BY [Megan Hemmings](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/megan-hemmings) 2/6/18 6:28 AM [1](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/science-fair-ideas#comments-listing) [student projects](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/student-projects) [STEM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/stem) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Science fair season is upon us, so we’re taking a look at some exciting science fair project ideas from around the web.... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/science-fair-ideas) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/Jan%202018/DSC_7236.jpg)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/fostering-diversity-and-inclusivity-in-the-maker-community-one-makeathon-at-a-time) ## [Fostering Diversity and Inclusivity in the Maker Community…One Makeathon at a Time](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/fostering-diversity-and-inclusivity-in-the-maker-community-one-makeathon-at-a-time) BY [Mimi Tran Zambetti](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/mimi-tran-zambetti) 1/2/18 6:30 AM [0](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/fostering-diversity-and-inclusivity-in-the-maker-community-one-makeathon-at-a-time#comments-listing) [Events](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/events) [Maker Education](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/maker-education) [getting started](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/getting-started) [Guest Post](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/guest-post) [Community Partnership Program](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/community-partnership-program) [STEM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/stem) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Break to Make is a two-day, all-women makeathon created to foster a supportive learning environment for women interested in maker culture and product design. Women in diverse fields come to the event ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/fostering-diversity-and-inclusivity-in-the-maker-community-one-makeathon-at-a-time) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/December%202017/28029922142_b308585c64_z.jpg)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/top-5-misconceptions-about-computer-science) ## [Top 5 Misconceptions About Computer Science](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/top-5-misconceptions-about-computer-science) BY [Megan Hemmings](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/megan-hemmings) 12/21/17 6:20 AM [0](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/top-5-misconceptions-about-computer-science#comments-listing) [computer science](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/computer-science) [STEM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/stem) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) It seems like everyone these days has an opinion about computer science. But how many of them are based on fact? Here are the Top 5 misconceptions we often hear about computer science.... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/top-5-misconceptions-about-computer-science) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/20150108__09RHACREATORw-2_500.jpg)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/three-reasons-the-sik-is-the-best-beginner-electronics-kit-for-all-ages) ## [3 Reasons the SparkFun Inventor's Kit is a Great Introduction to Electronics](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/three-reasons-the-sik-is-the-best-beginner-electronics-kit-for-all-ages) BY [Maya Kleinbort](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/maya-kleinbort) 11/14/17 6:44 AM [0](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/three-reasons-the-sik-is-the-best-beginner-electronics-kit-for-all-ages#comments-listing) [Arduino](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/arduino) [teaching tools](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/teaching-tools) [Maker Education](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/maker-education) [getting started](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/getting-started) [programming](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/programming) [computer science](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/computer-science) [STEM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/stem) [SIK](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/sik) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) (Photo credit: Reporter-Herald) At SparkFun we pride ourselves on having a little something for everyone, from the novice to the experienced engineer. With all of the electronics kits on the market, ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/three-reasons-the-sik-is-the-best-beginner-electronics-kit-for-all-ages) [Previous](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/stem/page/2) [All posts](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/all) [Next](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/stem/page/4) ### Subscribe to SparkFun Education Blog ### Topics - [helpful information (79)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/helpful-information) - [Maker Education (60)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/maker-education) - [teaching tools (55)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/teaching-tools) - [getting started (54)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/getting-started) - [Guest Post (44)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/guest-post) - [computer science (40)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/computer-science) - [micro:bit (38)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/microbit) - [student projects (37)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/student-projects) - [STEM (36)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/stem) - [programming (34)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/programming) - [STEAM (31)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/steam) - [Events (28)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/events) - [Arduino (25)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/arduino) - [robotics (20)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/robotics) - [e-textiles (18)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/e-textiles) - [Professional Development (17)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/professional-development) - [basic circuits (17)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/basic-circuits) - [What is a (16)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/what-is-a) - [announcement (16)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/announcement) - [makerspace (15)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/makerspace) - [Community Partnership Program (14)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/community-partnership-program) - [Training (13)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/training) - [raspberry pi (13)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/raspberry-pi) - [python (11)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/python) - [AVC (10)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/avc) - [paper circuits (10)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/paper-circuits) - [Makey Makey (8)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/makey-makey) - [SIK (8)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/sik) - [Adventures in Science (7)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/adventures-in-science) - [microcontroller (7)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/microcontroller) - [Internet of Things (5)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/internet-of-things) - [Processing (4)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/processing) - [Javascript (3)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/javascript) - [LilyPad (3)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/lilypad) - [funding (3)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/funding) - [weather (3)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/weather) - [Insider (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/insider) - [Johnny-five (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/johnny-five) All Tags ### Recent Authors - [Megan Hemmings (79)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/megan-hemmings) - [Maya Kleinbort (22)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/maya-kleinbort) - [Derek Runberg (21)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/derek-runberg) - [Shane Diller (16)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/shane-diller) - [Jeff Branson (15)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/jeff-branson) - [Angela Sheehan (12)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/angela-sheehan) - [Melissa Felderman (9)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/melissa-felderman) - [Megan Arnold (8)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/megan-arnold) - [Brian Huang (6)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/brian-huang) - [Shawn Hymel (6)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/shawn-hymel) - [Shelby Landsman (6)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/shelby-landsman) - [Jahnell Pereira (5)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/jahnell-pereira) - [Hailey Blessing (5)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/hailey-blessing) - [Mike Grusin (3)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/mike-grusin) - [Peter Hanson (3)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/peter-hanson) - [Andrew Milne (3)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/andrew-milne) - [Toni Klopfenstein (2)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/toni-klopfenstein) - [Joanna Drusin (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/joanna-drusin) - [Joe Romano (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/joe-romano) - [Mrinali P. 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