Physics/maths gift ideas for 11 year old

[bmwmike]

As title really, wondering if anyone has ideas for a gift for a very bright 11 year old who is into physics and maths. He loves computer games, has an ipad but no windows laptop etc. Didn't really want to buy him a game anyway, unless its a physical package I can hand him.

I was thinking lego technic kits or meccano stuff but apparently wouldn't like those.

Electronic kit but everything i've seen is really basic. He is learning programming. I was thinking rasp pi but again i'm not sure if thats quite suitable, but maybe.

Any ideas appreciated.

Thanks
Mike

[dudleybloke]

A decent graphing calculator should do the job.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Casio-Graphic-Calculator-...

It can also run doom.

Edited by dudleybloke on Tuesday 26th September 12:30

[Actual]

Perpetual motion machine

[alock]

The book Humble Pi by Matt Parker.

[xeny]

How bright? If very much so, a set of the Feynman Lectures on Physics would be an option.

[lancslad58]

Nixie tube clock, you have buy all the components and build yourself, prices vary depending on what you want.



There are various online outlets.

Just be careful if you open up nixie.com website, there's a NSFW anti Russia message on there

[Deesee]

Online astrophysics course? Something modular so he can work at his own pace given his age.

[FarmyardPants]

A raspberry Pi would be a good idea, or if you want to spend a bit more/inspire them, perhaps one of these?

https://thepihut.com/products/arduino-starter-kit?...

[deckster]

A football. Or a Nerf gun, or something completely left-field like a drumkit.

Honestly, I was that clever geeky kid who was into maths & computers. Everybody used to buy me worthy, educational gifts and I hated them all.

[Griffith4ever]

Get him an Arduino starter kit with breadboards and cables etc. He'll love it. Electronics plus programming . RasbPi is all very well and good but it's more of a computer and less of electronics. Arduino is a lovely balance.

Random search but you get the idea:#

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Project-Starter-Tutorial-...

[Griffith4ever]

deckster said:

A football. Or a Nerf gun, or something completely left-field like a drumkit.

Honestly, I was that clever geeky kid who was into maths & computers. Everybody used to buy me worthy, educational gifts and I hated them all.

I was a clever geeky kid and I hated football and my best presents were electronic or chemistry kits, that and Lego technic.

[bmwmike]

Thanks all some really good inspiration here!!

[eltax91]

What about the Haynes build your own v8?

[anonymous-user]

Unless he’s cracked it already, a Rubik’s cube with strict instructions that he has to work out for himself how to do it. No looking up cheat short cuts on the internet.

[Zad]

A "small" Raspberry Pi or Arduino would need a PC to do the programming though, wouldn't it?
"Full fat" Raspberry Pis aren't that cheap now, especially when you include all the power supply, case, keyboard etc. It would be a good way to learn real programming though. Whether Python or something a bit nerdier like C/C++

[Munka01]

These are both worth a look

https://www.kiwico.com/9-12

https://www.crunchlabs.com/

Haven't tried crunchlabs, but my nephews loved the kiwi co stuff

Edited to add that there are plenty of significant discount codes around for both.

[Griffith4ever]

eltax91 said:

What about the Haynes build your own v8?

Fun gift. Bought myself one :-) no longevity to it though interims of play.

[sgrimshaw]

Aware you discounted Lego ... but what about Lego Mindstorms?

Can still find some "new unopened" sets on Ebay ... not cheap though.

If that's not appropriate, some cool stuff here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=dp_bc_aui_C_4?ie=UT...

Edited by sgrimshaw on Wednesday 27th September 13:38

[Craikeybaby]

How about a Sphero robot?

[stuthemong]

Trip to tube science museum ?