STEM Holiday Gift Guide: The Buzz on Presents for Teens This Holiday Season

By Sarah Boynton | November 8, 2023

Having you as an owner in growth is all that WE want this holiday season. Be sure to check out our crowdfunding campaign on WeFunder (and the important “Testing the Waters” legal disclosure). But this isn’t about us; it’s about YOU. So our incredible Board of Buzz put together an epically curated Holiday Gift Guide Series for everyone on your list this holiday season. Join us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram to buzz about it!

What’s Up, Young Innovators?!

Too cool for school? Well, you can never ‘bee’ too cool for science! Our guide has the gadgets and gizmos that’ll make even your TikTok feed look boring.

You can navigate through all seven (7) pages by hovering over the spread above and using the arrows anchored at the bottom of the page. All of the products are clickable; so click away!

Prefer to open in a new window?! Here you go. Or keep reading for the text-only version of the spread.

Celestron | $44.95+

With a Celestron telescope, the universe is literally at your fingertips—no filter needed!

Makey Makey | $49.95

This ‘Best Tech Toy’ turns everyday items, like the bananas on your counter, into touchpads.

Ghost Chaser | $47.99+

Blast off! Take these rockets outside and watch them soar to hundreds of feet, returning to earth with a built-in parachute.

Tardigrade | $19.99+

This articulated tardigrade model is adorable and satisfying to fidget with, making all sorts of situations much more bearable.

Bee Revival Kit | $13.99+

This keyring provides an emergency solution to REVIVE an exhausted bee so it can continue its mission pollinating planet Earth. BioBuzz approved!

Ladybug Pen | $10.00+

Write in style with this real Ladybug infused pen or stylus/pen! Clear acrylic center filled with suspended Ladybugs.

Amazon

For those shoppers with a Prime account, check out these wonderful options for the teen scientist!

• SCRIB3D 3D Printing Pen | $29.99
• Ion: A Compound Building Game | $19.95
• The Pocket Scientist | $12.95
• 4M Clean Water Science | $14.99
• Yellow Scope Chemistry Kit | $49.99
• 4M Crystal Growing Kit | $18.99

Home Science Tools

Find dozens of unique, fascinating, and funny science gifts for kids ages 14+ here.

• Chemistry of Food Experiment Kit | $52.95
• Biology Microscope Slide Set | $66.95
• Bacteria Growing Kit | $35.95
• Crime Scene Investigation Kit | $82.95
• Basic Chemistry Equipment Set | $63.95
• Candy Chromatography Kit | $41.95
• Introductory Dissection Kit | $27.95

Walmart

BEBANG 100X-2000X Microscope | $78.89

Get up close and personal with this monocular biological microscope. Comes with a slide set and phone adapter.

4M Weather Science Kit | $32.54

Experiment with static electricity which causes lightning, build a desktop water cycle model, and even make clouds in your palm!

ban.do Self Care Card Deck | $12.92

Includes 50 cards that are designed to spark questions and conversations that support emotional awareness and growth.

Discovery Extreme Chemistry Lab | $22.97

From simple chemical reactions to density tests—every experiment in the Extreme Chemistry Lab is an exciting, hands-on learning opportunity.

Target

Thames & Kosmos Nanotechnology | $69.99

With this kit, the intangible, nanoscopic world becomes accessible with hands-on experiments using both scaled-up models and real nanomaterials.

Thames & Kosmos Happy Atoms Introductory Set | $10.49

With this revolutionary approach to teaching chemistry, you can discover the world of molecules in an intuitive, hands-on way.

Nat Geo Science Magic Kit | $24.99

15 amazing science experiments that double as magic tricks, exploring the world of pH science, hydrophobic substances, optics, surface tension, and more.

Locally Curated & Mission-Driven Gift Ideas

Shop local and check out the options we curated from the Capital Region.

Earth Elements Soapworks

Inspired by nature and rooted in mindfulness, all of the products are thoughtfully crafted in Baltimore, MD. The founder is intentional in formulating the products using a high percentage of active natural ingredients, that target specific skin concerns making sure that all of the ingredients are recognized by the skin and easily absorbed. Reviewers say their skin is clearer, softer, and more even-toned.

• Tumeric Carrot with Honey Soap | $14.00
• Lemongrass & Ginger Body Scrub with Poppy | $34.00
• Calming Neroli Jasmine Bath Salts | $18.00

Totally Wired Jewelry

Scientist for the federal government by day, and jewelry maker at night, the owner of Totally Wired Jewelry has lots of bee-utiful earring options. Prices range from $7.00 to $10.00 All items are one of a kind, just like each of you!

• Let the Gourd Time Roll Earrings | $7.00
• I Don’t Give a Hoot Earrings | $9.00
• Treblemaker with Blue Accent Earrings | $7.00

Good Dog Designs

Good Dog Designs is a machine embroidery business based in Baltimore, MD specializing in punny designs, custom orders, and seasonal gifts since 2018.

• Baltimore Themed Baseball Caps | $24.00+
• Holiday Dog Bandana | $20.00+

Around the World

Also included are gifts from around the world that give back, to make everyone feel good this holiday season!

Honeycomb Coasters | $19.30

These laser-cut bamboo coasters are inspired by the natural beauty of a bee’s honeycomb & are made and assembled by hand in the UK. A $5 donation can be made at checkout which will go to a bee preservation organization called HoneyLove.

Jewel Garden | $44.00+

Your favorite new accessory! Part of the Original Garden collection, the Jewel Garden will put a smile on anyone’s face and bring a welcome touch of nature to any small space. Each garden sold provides six months of safe water for one person in the developing world.

Little Song Singing Bird | $24.99

The Little Song Singing Bowl embodies two of Nepal’s richest traditions, metalwork and meditation. After a long day at school, singing bowls, and the ringing hum they create, help clear your mind, cleanse your heart, and comfort your soul. These are made by families in Nepal who are able to earn sustainable incomes.

For the Book Lover

Engineering for Teens: A Beginner’s Book for Aspiring Engineers by Pamela McCauley 

This engineering book for teens introduces you to the major engineering disciplines and their distinct specialties, famous engineers throughout history, and more.

Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky

Full of striking, singular art, Women in Science also contains infographics about relevant topics such as lab equipment, rates of women currently working in STEM fields, and an illustrated scientific glossary.

What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe 

Each chapter presents a detailed answer to one of many absurd hypothetical questions. If you like this, we recommend you search for xkcd comics.

The Master Theorem – A Book of Puzzles, Intrigue and Wit by M

Solvers will enjoy weeks to months of neuron-growing entertainment as they work their way through M’s 40+ perplexing puzzles and become experts in codes, ciphers, and the mysteries of the universe.

The Kitchen Without Borders – The Eat Offbeat Cookbook by Eat Offbeat

Staffed by immigrants and refugees, Eat Offbeat features the culinary traditions of each chef’s home country in their menus, and now finally in their first cookbook.

100 Plants to Feed the Bees: Provide a Healthy Habitat to Help Pollinators Thrive by The Xerces Society 

The international bee crisis is threatening our global food supply, but this user-friendly field guide shows what you can do to help protect pollinators.

Death at Dusbar College by Laura DiNovis Berry, Lee Thompson (Illustrator)

This fast-paced fantasy (by our very own Ambassador of Buzz, Laura Berry) features the newly 11 Cristiano. Cristiano knew that a trip to the magical Dusbar College would be exciting, but when the Grand Magician dies, Cristiano is faced with a challenge. The Grand Magician has left behind a riddle. Anyone who solves it can win his magnificent hat. With the whole of Dusbar College competing, will Cristiano be able to solve the Grand Magician’s riddle first?

Interesting Facts For Curious Minds: 1572 Random But Mind-Blowing Facts About History, Science, Pop Culture And Everything In Between by Jordan Moore 

This book is divided into 63 chapters by topic, bringing you a nice mix of science, history, pop culture, and all sorts of stuff in between. Sit back, relax, and get ready to learn some truly interesting facts!

The Way Things Work: Newly Revised Edition by David Macaulay

This extraordinary and humorous book both guides readers through the fundamental principles of machines, and shows how the developments of the past are building the world of tomorrow.

PLUS, check out this site to find hundreds of STEM books, puzzles and more!

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Are you buzzing about something that should be added to our list?! Get in touch and let us know!