7 Most Popular Brands of Ed-Tech: Find the best STEM toy for your kid

January 10th, 2024

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At the end of 2023, Google had launched Gemini, an AI model claimed to have higher computational power than GPT-4. In today's rapidly changing tech world, it is essential for our next generation to become early adopters and be ready for the future.

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You might think of this…”how about buying a lego set for my child to get started, or micro:bit, or some other brands? Well, I don’t really know how to choose.”

This article can help you!

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In Hong Kong, the seven most popular brands for Tech Education (STEM toys) are:

1. Lego Education (Robotics)
2. Gigo Toys (Robotics & Science)
3. Micro:bit (Coding, sensors)
4. Minecraft Education (Game Design)
5. Cospace Edu (AR/VR)
6. MIT App Inventor (App Development)
7. thunkable (App Development)

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Read more to see the differences between these brands.

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1. Lego Education (Sub-Brand of Lego)

• Key Idea: Learn by building

• Product Line:

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For Pre-School:

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For Primary School:

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For Secondary School:

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Advantages:

• Emphasise on creativity

• Good in quality

• Sufficient Support Materials (e.g.: Lesson Plan, Video, etc.)

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Disadvantages:

• Closed System

• Limited Sensors / Functions

• Relatively Expensive

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2. Gigo Toys

G - Gifted: Let children discover their own natural talents.

i - Innovative: Hands-on play encourages creativity.

g - Green: Emphasise on green technology and education to make a green environment.

o - Open-minded: Learn various ways to face challenges and solve problem

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Product Line: Learning Lab

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In each set, it provides various simple machines for students to learn about green energy.

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Advantages:

• Wide Range of Learning Area (from Science - Robotic - AI…)

• Match with the General Study / Science Curriculum in Hong Kong

• Affordable price

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Disadvantages:

• Average Quality

• Tech Featured Set perform poorly (e.g., AI Set)

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3.micro:bit

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Advantages:

• Well establish coding platform

• Affordable price

• Over 80% of local school (Primary / Secondary) are using it

• Various Compatible Extension Kits are available

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Disadvantages:

• Without Extension Kits, only coding concept can be illustrated

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4. Minecraft Education Edition

• Key Idea: Coding & Creativity & Game Design

• Learning Platform:

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General Learning Flow:

• Teacher gives an instruction of a coding concept

• Students follow the instruction and program an Agent to perform tasks (e.g., Farming)

• Teacher warps up the class

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Advantages:

• Kids really like these games

• Well-established platform for learning

• Serve for wide age range

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Disadvantages:

• No hardware to play with

• Only focus on coding & gaming

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5.Cospace Edu

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Key Idea: VR & AR Design and Coding

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General Learning Flow:

• Teacher gives an instruction of a VR / AR application

• Students follow the instruction to design the virtual environment and program the working logic of the virtual objects

• Students may tinker the design / function of their virtual world

• Teacher warps up the class

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Advantages:

• Can be viewed in the cardboard

• Well establish platform with Student Management System

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Disadvantages:

• No hardware to play with

• Only focus on coding & VR / AR application

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6&7. MIT App Inventor & thunkable

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Key Idea: App Development

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General Learning Flow:

• Teacher gives an instruction of a coding concept or an App function

• Students follow the instruction to design the app interface and program the working logic of the App

• Students may tinker the design / function of their app

• Teacher warps up the class

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Advantages:

• Can build a workable mobile application or even put onto the app store

• Well-established platform

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Disadvantages:

• Not that interesting to kids

• No hardware to play with

• Only focus on coding & app development

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We recognize that merely learning coding skills is not enough; it is crucial to know how to apply the knowledge to address real-life problems. Therefore, Big Bang Academy provides a new comprehensive "MBA in Tech" course for 8–11-year-olds.

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Our tech course is project-based and research-driven, starting with topics of GreenTech and Smart Cities. Students will learn the core concepts of programming. Including:

1. Computational Thinking

2. Application of AI & AI Literacy

3. Creative possibilities of Machine Learning

4. Digital Competence

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Our children are going to be the leaders of tomorrow. They need to adopt a global perspective. They need to have problem solving skills to develop sustainable solutions for their future. And they need to be able to pitch their ideas like a tech entrepreneur. Big Bang Academy is here to guide, nurture and develop our students to be able to envision tomorrow, today.

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We welcome like-minded parents like YOU to join this mission.

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To learn more about our Project Alpha program, please fill in the form below to join our trial class.