Engino STEAM Labs: How Solar Energy Works, STEM Building Kit for Kids Ages 8+ (4 Models to Build)

$29.99
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In stock

SKU: STL20

 

Learn Renewable Energy Concepts: Understand how sunlight converts into electricity through hands-on building and interactive experiments.

Build & Discover: Construct a working solar model while exploring the principles of energy transfer and sustainability.

Interactive Learning Experience: Includes a theory-based activity book, fun quizzes and experiments.

Specifications

8+

Appropriate
Ages

65

Pieces

4

Models to
Build

4

Printed
Instructions

4

Online 3D
Instructions

Case Pack Details

Description

Engino’s How Solar Energy Works is part of the award-winning STEAM Labs™ Junior series designed to make science simple, fun, and hands-on for young learners. This kit blends theory and play, guiding kids through the fascinating world of renewable energy. With step-by-step instructions, quizzes, experiments and a functional motor,  children explore how sunlight transforms into electricity and powers our daily lives. Through its tactile building system, the set encourages curiosity about engineering and sustainable technologies while strengthening core STEM skills such as observation, reasoning, and problem-solving.

The accompanying educational booklet brings learning to life, allowing children to visualize solar power in action. Ideal for both home learning and classroom environments, this set offers the perfect blend of education, creativity, and fun turning curiosity into discovery.

What’s in the Box & Why It Matters

  • 65 Engino parts with Solar Propeller Motor: durable, safe materials designed for sturdy, frustration-free builds that encourage repeat play and experimentation revolving around how solar power works.
  • Printed guide (4 models): Full parts list, step-by-step builds, pro tips, and an Arts & Crafts section with a link to free downloadable and printable skins online.
  • Activity Booklet: Learn the science first, test it with step-by-step experiments, then check mastery with quick quizzes aligned to each model build.
  • kidCAD 3D Viewer app with AR preview: Rotate/zoom steps; improves dexterity and 3D perception. Also, tap AR in the 3D viewer to drop any STEAM Labs (STL) model into your room for true-to-scale guidance as you build. 
  • Extraction Tool: Makes disassembling safe and easy for reusing parts.

Models Kids Can Build

  • 2 Helicopter Models: Discover the basics of aerodynamics and motion by building a solar-powered helicopter model that demonstrates how energy can be transformed into movement.
  • Solar Wind Compass: Learn how the sun’s energy interacts with wind and direction by assembling a functional solar wind compass, an exciting way to explore navigation and renewable energy concepts.
  • Solar Windmill: Build a working windmill powered by solar energy and see how sunlight can be harnessed to produce mechanical motion, introducing kids to sustainable energy in action.

Who It’s For

  • Kids ages 8+ who love building and want a first, friendly deep-dive entry into STEM.
  • Eco-curious learners interested in sustainability, clean energy, and real-world science they can see in action.
  • Parents looking for a screen-free activity that blends creative building with bite-size theory, quizzes, and simple experiments.
  • Teachers & homeschoolers who need a ready-to-use mini-unit on renewable energy with clear instructions and hands-on activities.
  • STEM clubs, after-school programs, and science fairs needing a quick, engaging project that demonstrates STEM concepts.

Learning Benefits

  • STEM Foundations: Builds knowledge in science, technology, and engineering through hands-on application.
  • Critical Thinking: Encourages kids to question, test, and analyze energy concepts.
  • Environmental Awareness: Introduces renewable energy and sustainability principles early on.
  • Hands-On Discovery: Encourages experimentation, observation, and recording results while enhancing fine motor and cognitive skills.
  • Creative Confidence: Promotes self-led discovery, boosting problem-solving confidence and curiosity about real-world science.

James Elwood, Austin, TX

The quality of the plastic and connectors is excellent. We’ve built and rebuilt the same set many times, and it still feels brand new.

Priya Nanda, San Jose, CA

We gave an Engino STEM kit as a birthday gift — it completely outshined the other toys! It keeps our son engaged for hours while teaching him valuable skills.

Ali Khan, Toronto, ON

The instructions are super clear and visual. My 8-year-old was able to build models all by himself within minutes. Great confidence booster!

Sarah Thompson, Chicago, IL

We tried several robotics kits before this, but Engino stands out. It’s not just plug-and-play — kids actually learn how the parts work.

View full details

Construction Levels

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Building

Building

Score depends on the number of parts and connecting points The ENGINO building system has a patented design of the parts which allows connectivity of up to 6 sides simultaneously, while the unique extendable components lead to builds that were previously unthinkable, unleashing kids' creativity and imagination. Sets include printed step-by-step instructions for the main models, but also online through our kidCAD™ interactive app.

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Mechanics

Mechanics

Score depends on the number of mechanical parts ENGINO Mechanics System consists of around 150+ different components, including new wheels and axles, beams and connectors and some impressive locking technologies, that are all ® compatible with the Classic ENGINO building system parts. With gears and pulleys models can be engineered to become functionable, by changing speed, direction of motion or torque!

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Motors

Motors

Score depends on the number of motors The ability to animate technical models using motors is the first step before introducing Robotics. Motorized sets ® can bring your ENGINO inventions to life, offering young learners the ultimate engineering adventure.

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Coding

Coding

Score depends on sensor's type and quantity Real robots need a controller with microprocessor and sensor inputs and ® various outputs. ENGINO 's patenting methodology of teaching coding starts with manual programming, moves on to virtual simulation, then to drag& drop flow diagrams and even to textual programming, powered by our KEIRO™ and ENVIRO™ software.

Learning Levels

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Theory

Theory

Score depends on amount of STEM/STEAM theory Even though theory learning is often limited to a sterile, mechanical memorization of textbooks, with ® ENGINO kids are engaged through colorful content enriched with interesting facts about the underlying technology which drives the models of each set.

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Quiz & Activities

Quiz & Activities

Score depends on number and complexity of exercises By solving fun exercises and quizzes, which are included in the educational ® booklet of most ENGINO sets, also available online, kids will be able to challenge their newly acquired knowledge and test what they have learnt!

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Experiments

Experiments

Score depends on number of experiments In order to foster scientific learning in childhood and get kids interested in learning about science, it is crucial to provide them with hands-on activities that they can explore on their own. Many sets incorporate innovative experimental activities that follow inquiry based learning whereby children can discover by themselves the technological or scientific principles relating to the set.

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Open Projects

Open Projects

Score depends on the number and complexity of parts Kids are by nature endowed with inexhaustible imagination and creativity and parents are always looking for ways to enhance and cultivate these ® remarkable qualities. ENGINO system’s inherent design allows easy modification and reconfiguration of the models, empowering kids to engage in open-ended play, allowing them to envision and build their own ideas and not only those proposed by our research team!

STEM SCORE

Build future-ready skills with hands-on STEM learning

  • Cognitive Skills

    Enhance mental processes including attention, memory, and reasoning through engaging activities that challenge and develop thinking capabilities.

  • Problem-Solving Thinking

    Learn to identify, analyze, and solve complex problems using systematic approaches and innovative solutions.

  • Engineering Thinking

    Develop the ability to design, build, and optimize systems while understanding how things work and how to improve them.

  • Scientific Investigation

    Master the scientific method through observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and evidence-based conclusions.

  • Computational Thinking & ICT

    Break down complex problems into manageable parts and develop algorithmic thinking alongside digital literacy skills.

  • Design Thinking, Creativity & Innovation

    Foster creative problem-solving, innovative thinking, and user-centered design approaches to create meaningful solutions.

Logical Thinking Problem

Design Thinking 

Innovation & Creativity

Scientific Method  

FAQs

What is the appropriate age to play with ENGINO?

The ENGINO system has been tested with children with the association of teachers and the department of Education of the University of Cyprus. It has been found that small models can be built even by 5 years old children. Bigger and complex models are more suited to 8-12 year olds, and our robotics and mega sets are targeting both youngsters and grown-ups as being more hobby items.

What if I lose some parts or manuals? Can I get replacements?

You can buy parts, instructions and books at a very low price from our online shop.

How is the quantity of parts compared to value for money?

Usually construction toys refer to the number of parts contained in a set as an indication of the set's building value. With ENGINO system this reference does not actually apply because the system is unique and the design of the parts allows multiple connectivity in all directions at the same time. As a result, there is no need for intermediate connectors between rods while ENGINO rods are also connectors! The ENGINO system can be described as a combination of the brick system and the spatial "connectors and rod" system. As of that, with ENGINO to build a model you only need around half the parts that you would require with any other conventional system! Furthermore, as ENGINO parts are bigger, the model is also bigger and more manageable. Parts are not easily lost and sets can combine together to create an infinite number of builds. Because the "number of parts" is actually misleading, we have introduced a new term called "connecting points" that indicates how many connections are possible with the particular parts contained in each set.

How many product ranges do you offer?

We offer 14 series that total to 85 products covering a wide range of price, age and choice.

INVENTOR BASIC SERIES- has been developed for maximizing creativity and imagination. In this range many different models can be created from a wide range of themes, from cars to motorbikes, from planes to cranes, from structures to machines, from animals to robots!

INVENTOR PRO SERIES- is the ultimate range and it is more suitable for intermediate and advanced users who literally “play to invent”! The models created with these sets are bigger and more elaborate and also incorporate technical features. The advanced motor included can be powered with the wired remote control, but it is also connectable to the ENGINO Solar panel and the new ENGINO Robotics Platform (ERP).

INVENTOR UPGRADE SERIES- has been created to allow users to expand their existing sets without having to buy the bigger sets at full cost. These lower upgrade sets begin from the 20 models set and cover each step up to 80 models set.

SOLAR POWER SERIES- uses photovoltaic panels to drive the various models and also have hybrid functions, in-line with the latest technological trends. Global warming and climate change has brought to our attention the need to save the planet by reducing carbon emissions.

MEGA STRUCTURES SERIES- demonstrates the ability of ENGINO to build huge models of impressive size and style. The series covers famous structures such as the Eiffel Tower and technological marvels such as the London Eye.

ECO BUILDS SERIES- is based on a new innovation of ENGINO toy system which connects sustainable beech wood with plastic. The use of wood reduces significantly the plastic parts and leads to more efficient recycling making this product an environmental friendly solution.

PICO BUILDS SERIES- is an ideal low cost entry to the award winning ENGINO toy system. With each set children can build a fully functional model with specialized colors to highlight the particular model.

PICO SPINNERS SERIES- is a new range of colorful spinners. Each set contains a special spinner support component, a printed color disk and a library of ENGINO parts. When all 4 sets are combined, 3 models of planes and helicopters can be assembled!

ENGINO ROBOTICS PLATFORM (ERP) is specially designed for younger children and takes into account the most modern pedagogical principles of learning. ERP intellectual development is approached as an upward expanding spiral in which children must constantly reconstruct the ideas formed at earlier levels with new higher order concepts acquired at the next level.

MECHANICAL SCIENCE SERIES- has been developed for schools and individuals who want to combine theory with practice. The series deals with the core subjects of mechanics and simple machines in a fascinating and enjoyable way, leading children to the attainment of knowledge through experiments and hand’s on activities. It also extends to cover other important science subjects such as structures, bridges, Newton’s laws and renewable energy.

How ecological are ENGINO sets?

ENGINO pays much attention to the manufacturing and distribution of ecological products. All products are environmentally friendly because they can be recycled. ENGINO offers solar products where the motor is powered by solar panel instead of batteries. We have also launched the award winning series of Eco Builds which is based on a new innovation of ENGINO toy system connecting sustainable beech wood with plastic parts. The use of wood reduces significantly the plastic parts and leads to more efficient recycling, making this product an environmental friendly solution.