MyStemKits Teams with Mantis™ at ASCD to showcase STEM Kit Library

ATLANTA - April 12, 2016 - PRLog -- On the opening weekend of April at the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development Conference, MyStemKits.com exhibited their extensive library of STEM kits that teachers can 3D-print for their classrooms. Joining MyStemKits.com, was the team from Mantis, an affiliate and maker of STEM sensors.  By combining the 3D printable kits with sensors and curriculum, students get to experience a well-rounded STEM solution.

The ASCD 2016 Conference was held at the Georgia World Congress Center from April 2 through April 4 and was host to about 7,000 people over the 3-day conference.  The exhibition hall was open all three days and attendees had the opportunity to view brief product demonstrations, explore and interact with the library of kits, and speak with MyStemKits and Mantis representatives.

Hannah Olson, MyStemKits.com Co-Founder, explained that with MyStemKits.com, "teachers will be able to affordably access a wide range of hands-on learning tools specifically designed for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics standards". Backed with vetted curriculum written by a team of teachers and content-area experts based out of Florida State University, the system is a comprehensive classroom solution for all grades K-12.

Olson was busy demonstrating the new subscription portal that will be made available to the public in the very near future.  "We will be launching a beta version of our portal within a few weeks and it will be offering direct-to-printer streaming of the library containing dozens of STEM kits so teachers can 3D-print the tools in their schools directly," said Olson.   The library portal will be subscription based.

Some of the kits in the collection will include sensor products like the Mantis Force Motion Cart and Ramp Kit, and the new rover robot that made its prototype debut at the convention.  "Combining the programmable Mantis sensors with the 3D printable kits and curriculum helps students learn STEM through engagement and making," explained Mantis CEO, Laron Walker. "The new rover includes sensor capabilities and the vessel is 3D printable.  Not only do the students learn from the functionality of the completed product, but they participate in printing and constructing the product.  In some cases, there is also a programmable component to the lesson where tools like Scratch can come into play."

Both teams felt the enthusiasm of booth visitors and were energized by the genuine interest in the subscription program and kits.  A drawing was held on the final day.  Two lucky Mantis winners were each awarded a Mantis weather sensor with curriculum.  Two MyStemKits grand prize winners each received an annual MyStemKits library subscription.

To keep up-to-date on other conference appearances and to be the first to know about the forthcoming portal launch, follow MyStemKits on Twitter or like their page on Facebook.

About MyStemKits:  With locations in Atlanta and Tallahassee, MyStemKits is developing a leading digital subscription library of 3D printable manipulatives for K-12 STEM education and backs it with a vetted curriculum.  From printer-friendly designs to its user-oriented platform and direct-to-printer streaming, STEM education is as easy as clicking "print."  For more information, visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/mystemkits.

About MantisOpenSTEM:  With headquarters in Atlanta and a location in Orlando, Mantis is a brand division of HipScience, LLC.  HipScience is an embedded sensor company, embedding sensors so they talk and play with other relevant technology. The Mantis brand of sensors and probes is designed with STEM education in mind promoting an open platform and standards-based curriculum. With over 15 years of experience in the aerospace industry, the company has been designing and engineering sensors that embed in wearable items, education tools and commercial/industrial devices. Visit us at hip-sci.com (http://www.mantisopenstem.com/)  to learn more!