The 10 Best Science Kits For Teens

The Elegoo Car 3.0 (about $70) is great for independent learners who consider themselves too cool to play with toys. Instead of cutesy blocks, it involves real hardware in the construction of a vehicle that can be controlled from a smartphone.

A fun way to get developing minds to think about programming concepts, the Lego Mindstorms EV3 (appx. $349) lets teens build five different robots and use the free tablet app to make their creatures walk and talk, as well as locate the remote control through an infrared sensor.

A perfect supplement to classwork, the Teenii Physics Lab (about $52) has a forty-page manual that clearly outlines the objectives of each experiment, asking questions before and after the activity to encourage critical thinking and a deep understanding of the concepts involved.

Providing everything you need for the projects in Charles Platt's "Make: Electronics," the ProTechTrader Component Set (about $300) is for older learners who are ready to move on from toys and try their hands at putting together functional devices.

Perfect for high school students, the Brisk Learner Chemistry (about $45) allows you to build three-dimensional models using the multicolored balls to better understand the structure of molecules. It also comes with a handy tool that makes taking them apart easier.

One of the biggest challenges with middle schoolers is convincing them their classwork is something they'll really use later in life. The SentoSphere Spa Lab (about $27) explains where beauty products come from, so those interested in a career in cosmetics can get a proper foundation.

Easy enough for beginners to understand, the Tinkering Labs Catalyst (appx. $59) delivers open-ended learning through challenge cards that encourage students to explore by adding motors to other toys and creating their own robotic designs.

Teaching the basic principles of electronics, the Elenco Playground (appx. $36) offers 130 different projects, ensuring curious minds won't quickly run out of things to do. The comprehensive manual walks you through the activities with clear illustrations.

Animal biology doesn't always lend itself to indoor activities, but there are modern versions of classic experiments that even older kids can get into. The Evviva Ant Habitat (about $30) uses a blue gel designed to encourage the creatures to dig.

The Owi Hydraulic Arm (around $40) can really pick up objects by gripping them or using its suction ability. The challenge of navigating the controls to lift something involves critical thinking, and is a great reward after the difficult assembly process is finally complete.