As summer draws to a close, there’s always an array of new and exciting things happening. Kids are gearing up to start a new school year, teachers are prepping their lesson plans, and parents, perhaps, are savoring a little extra free time on their hands. Meanwhile, at Pitsco, we’re celebrating two of our products – LUMA and the Drone Maker Kit – for winning the Educators Pick Best of STEM^® 2023 Awards!

The Educators Pick Best of STEM Awards, the only awards program judged by STEM educators, helps to recognize the outstanding achievements in STEM education and highlights innovative products that enhance the learning experiences for students. After submitting our products for consideration, they underwent a two-part evaluation process. They were first reviewed by a panel of judges and then, when the finalists were determined, they were sent off to be evaluated by more than 267,000 STEM educators via survey.

LUMA, our interactive, programmable robot, was selected for the Best of STEM: Computer Science Grades 6-12. LUMA enables students to explore the world of coding and robotics in a fun and exciting way through its captivating storyline showcasing the relevance of robotics and computer science skills in today’s world.

Through LUMA’s narrative, students learn about six different careers, including inventor, game designer, restaurant owner/chef, event specialist, architect, and sound engineer. By doing so, students can immerse themselves into the significance of robotics and coding within each career path.

Our Drone Maker Kit, which enables students to design, construct, and fly their very own drone, was awarded the Best of STEM: Engineering Project Kit. The Drone Maker Kit gives students the opportunity to learn valuable skills such as engineering, problem-solving, and critical thinking all while having fun exploring aerial technology.

The kit also comes with various engaging activities for students to use to test their drone, such as carrying a payload and creating and installing a delivery system. Through this hands-on experience of building their very own drones, this kit is guaranteed to captivate and engage students into the thrilling world of engineering and aviation!

We’re always grateful for the opportunity to showcase our beloved products and the impact they have in the education field. Matt Frankenbery, our vice president of education, said it best: “We’re excited to earn these awards as it validates the time, energy, and resources we expend on testing our products with students and teachers in real classrooms. We want to ensure our new products effectively engage children in their learning, while offering teachers best-in-class resources and curriculum support. We’re incredibly honored to have not one but two Pitsco solutions selected as winners, and the fact they were selected by educators is truly the cherry on top.”

Our LUMA and Drone Maker Kit are just two of our many beloved products that strive to prepare students for future careers in STEM! Browse our catalogs for more hands-on, engaging products and activities!