Review on Engage Your Child'S Curiosity With The 5 In 1 STEM Kit - The Perfect Educational Building Toy For 8-12 Year Old Boys And Girls by Roger Sanders

Pros: All kits have a motor, Propulsion by air, tracks and wheels (two and all wheel drive). Introduces young people to the mechanics of motion ( gears, belts, wheels, propellers, and treaded wheels).Cons: For the most part all of the "snap out" pieces can be removed cleanly, however one kit was not cut through and had some splintering which had to be cut out with an Exacto knife. The parts need to be sanded smooth and at a slight bevel on the edges where the parts interlock with each other, otherwise the wood will split and give a poor fit. The instructions are confusing on two of the items. You need to go through the entire instructions and pay close attention to the assembly of the gear trains and motor wiring. The illustrations are not in the correct sequence. There are some pictures that show something more completed, than they instructed you to do. Also proceeding pictures would show you a less completed unit. So review the entire instructions before you start. I had to use some glue on the jeep to fasten the front of the frame to the bumper. I could not find any way to screw the parts together. The black wire on the tank had to be hot glued in place to keep it from rubbing against the main drive gear teeth.Tips: When you insert the fastening screws make sure the parts are fully seated and that as you drive the screw in you keep it 90 degrees to the surface that it will be seated on. It is very easy for the screw to break out of the side of the mating part and not thread in correctly. Do not overtighten the screws, once they seat just a slight turn is required to snug the mating pieces together.I sealed the wood before I snapped the out parts with an acrylic sealer using a medium coat. This helps protect the wood from the elements. Also the kits show all wiring connections being made by twisting the wires to the motor terminals. I found that is better to solder them if you have the equipment and skill to do so. Some silicon grease will help the axels and gears run smoother, just be sure to apply the lube after all of the gears, pulleys, and wheels are on the shafts. These are friction fit and the grease may allow the gears to slip if it gets in between the axel shaft that they are mounted on.Overall it is a good value and good experience for young people who show an interest in STEM.Help from an adult would be a plus for younger students.Summary: I have put other similar kits and they have some of the same challenges. The laser cut pieces in this kit are much better then the die cuts in other kits. Overall it is a good value.