ERIE, Pa. — The mad dash is almost here. It’s time to get those final holiday gifts before it’s too late.
Still scrambling for ideas? Don’t worry, Penn State Behrend’s faculty and staff members have you covered. Here are some of their top suggestions for gifts that are both fun and educational.
Ideas provided by Melanie Ford, director of Youth Education Outreach
- Jewelbots. Look pretty while you learn about programming? That’s exactly what girls can accomplish with Jewelbots, the friendship bracelet that teaches kids to code. $69
- Robot Turtles. Designed for children ages 4 and up, this interactive board game helps teach young people how to program. $15
- Pokemon. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that Pokemon are once again hotter than ever. Whether it’s the cards or the video games, there are plenty of ways to “catch ‘em all” this holiday season. Prices vary
Ideas provided by Tracy Halmi, senior lecturer in chemistry
- "Molecules: The Elements and the Architecture of Everything." Quite literally, molecules make up everything. How exactly does one visualize that, though? Theodore Gray does that for you in this book, which features stunning photography of the chemical structures that make up every material in the world. $20
- Instant snow. Even as one of America’s snowiest cities, the white stuff has been mostly absent from the region so far. We cannot make snow fall from the sky, but this gift allows a person to actually make snow (and learn about chemistry while he or she is at it.) $18
- Minecraft cookie cutters. Every child seems to love Minecraft. Every child definitely loves cookies. This is a no-brainer. $10
Ideas provided by Richard Zhao, assistant professor of computer science and software engineering
- Merge VR Goggles. 2016 is the year that virtual reality headsets hit the mainstream. The Merge VR Goggles turn a person’s smartphone into a virtual reality headset. You’re then able to enjoy fully immersive virtual environments and games right from the comfort of your living room. $60
- Google Cardboard. While Google Cardboard might not look as cool as the Merge Goggles, it offers a similar experience at a great price. $15
Idea provided by Tom Noyes, professor of English and creative writing
- “Best American” book series. For bibliophiles on your list, you might check out the annual "Best American" series. Each year, 2016 included, editors compile the best examples of writing from magazines around the country. The three standards, "Best American Short Stories," "Best American Poetry," and "Best American Essays" are great, as are some of the other volumes, including "Best American Mystery Stories," "Best American Sports Writing," "Best American Science and Nature Writing," and "Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy." $10-$15
Idea provided by Mary-Ellen Madigan, director of enrollment management
- Tile Mate. Is there someone on your list who is notorious for losing his or her keys? They won’t be anymore. This Bluetooth tracking device is small, durable and water resistant, and it can easily be attached to keys, luggage, backpacks, or anything else you carry. $25