Batteries Required: 2 "AA" batteries, not included.
Tools Needed For Assembly: screwdriver, long nose pliers, diagonal cutter, small hammer, pen knife
Additional Tools Needed For Soldering: soldering iron, soldering iron stand with sponge, desoldering braid, solder (1.0 to 1.2mm)
Instruction Manual, 48 pages
Product Warnings & Safety Information:
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - SMALL PARTS. This product contains small pieces and is not suitable for children under 3 years of age.
A NOTE FROM LAURI:
OWI Kit instructions provide excellent information for beginning soldering kits. Instructions include detailed steps (words and visuals) for soldering, plus visual examples of poor soldering, and how to install each type of electronic component on a PC board in preparation for the soldering step.
The instructions take you through the steps to check your soldering, and how to rework your soldering if it is not correct or sufficient. The instructions take you through a PC board test to ensure the PC board will operate correctly for you. Finally, the instructions include trouble shooting tips if your robot does not operate as it should.
Soldering 35 components provides meaningful experience to develop soldering skills. This PC board assembly includes 16 resistors, 8 transistors, 3 capacitors, 4 connectors, 1 jumper wire, 1 slide switch, and 2 terminal pins. These components provide enough practice for meaningful development of soldering skills, and enough variety to provide an excellent learning experience for placing different components correctly on a PC board.
Great kit to follow basic electronics and basic robot kits. Can a very capable child start with this kit? Absolutely. However, for the majority of kids I recommend that s/he first assemble a basic robotics kit so the assembly instructions in this kit are not overwhelming. I also recommend the LEARN TO SOLDER kit so your child will already have very basic soldering skills.
Finally, I recommend an introductory electronics kit to provide a basic understanding of resistors, capacitors, and electronic circuits. Yes, kids can solder the components without really knowing what they are and what they do, but I think it is helpful for kids to play and experiment with building circuits via an electronic kit before actually soldering electronic components onto a PC board.
First, introduce one skill at a time: robot assembly, soldering, and basic electronics. Next, use those basic skills all together as you solder and assemble the WEASEL ROBOT. By introducing skills one step at a time and then combining them with WEASEL ROBOT, you will provide a more meaningful learning experience for your child.
