Today a lot of emphasis is given on hands on education for children as it is considered the most viable and effective method. As a result of this requirement by parents and teachers a lot of educational toys and kits like the GeoSafari collection are available in the market. A very interesting kit based on the design of the engine that was invented and patented in 1816 by Dr. Robert Stirling and named after him is the Stirling engine kit meant for children above the age of 12 years to understand how heat energy can be transformed into mechanical energy which then turned to electricity. The design of the original engine on which the kit is based is more than 200 years old.
The Stirling engine kit is an ideal gift for your child that will open up a whole new world of exploration. The kit from Thames and Kosmos contains the Stirling engine in a charging station with a mirrored parabolic dish. This dish uses the solar energy to heat up a cylindrical glass bulb as a result of which the air inside the bulb too heats up and pushes a piston that turns an electric generator which enables recharging of the battery which can be used to run a car.