Like many of the Thames & Kosmos science kits, this is one pretty advanced toy. I hesitate to actually call this a toy as it is a great electronics set for learning about how computers work. But I’ll call it a toy based on the simple fact that this is pretty darn fun. While many kids today know how to operate a computer, how many actually know how a computer works? The more educated may know that a computer operates with a bunch of switches that are either on or off represented by a bunch of ones and zeros. But other than that, do many people really know what’s going on in their CPU? Probably not.

Students will learn how a computer works at the most basic level and how these fundamental principles of electronics apply to the devices that actually control computers and electronic devices. Microcontrollers are everywhere and are embedded in more devices and appliances than most people realize. A toaster with a digital display will have one. A microwave may have a few. And a space shuttle will have thousands.

This kit will introduce students to microcontrollers, sensors, and general computer programming by showing them how to complete over a hundred experiments. But what makes this one of the best science kits is the fact that after doing a few of the experiments in the manual, kids will already be thinking of how they can create their own micro-controlled devices. The number of possibilities are limitless. If you have a child interested in science toys, you can’t go wrong with this one.

This kit would make a great addition to any homeschooled child’s curriculum or to any kid interested in computers and electronics. The manual and experiments are geared for the middle-school to high-school aged child. My overall recommendation– despite the fairly expensive price, the Thames & Kosmos Microcontroller is one of the best learning tools out there.