News/Updates 

Leonard Nimoy
March 26, 1931 - February 27, 2015

Over the last few years, there has been a lot of talk about STEM education and STEM jobs. The acronym represents the disciplines Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and how those four work better in concert than they would when taught or utilized individually. Of late, some educators have recommended changing STEM to STEAM in recognition of the importance Art plays in education.

Because the term is still relatively new, there is a great deal of flexibility as to what exactly it means. Most people seem to agree that STEM education should provide a well-rounded curriculum that uses the disciplines in concert rather than isolation, and that the outcome of a STEM lesson should have real-world rather than just theoretical applications. The goal is to develop skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, innovation, communication, teamwork, and self-sufficiency.

Noted in the paper Examination of Integrated STEM Curricula as a Means Toward Quality K- 12 Engineering Education (Research to Practice), STEM curricula must:

1. Be based on a motivating and engaging context
2. Contain meaningful and important mathematics and science content
3. Employ student-centered pedagogies
4. Engage students in an engineering design task
5. Emphasize teamwork and communication

Further, Anne Jolly at MiddleWeb has created a list of objectives for STEM lessons:

1. Helps students apply math and science through authentic, hands-on learning
2. Includes the use of (or creation of) technology
3. Involves students in using an engineering design process
4. Engages students in working in collaborative teams
5. Appeals equally to girls and boys
6. Reinforces relevant math and science standards
7. Addresses a real-world problem

These concepts have since expanded beyond the school walls, with new STEM- and STEAM-friendly toy are showing up everywhere. There's been one hobby that has been hitting all these points for years, though: scale modeling.

How so?

Let's start with the five points raised by Dr. Moore et. al. Finding a motivating and engaging context is easy: there are scale model kits available for everyone from gearheads to entomologists, historians to sci-fi buffs. Conveying meaningful and important math and science content is one of the fundamental principles of the hobby: we don't call a car "1/24 scale" because the phrase sounds cool, but because the model used math to create a proportional representation of an existing object. Similarly, scale modeling engages builders in engineering design tasks by default - construction is literally the basis of the hobby. The remaining points—student-centered pedagogies and teamwork/communication—are optional, but easily integrated into any build. Community build projects, team builds, and modular constructions are all ways to build communication and teamwork, while builders of different experiences are almost always willing to share their knowledge with the group.

Ms. Jolly provides some further refinement to these points in her article. As I've noted elsewhere, one of the great things about model building is the "real" feedback: using your hands to create gives you the kind of education and reward that simply doesn't come from studying a subject. Building models certainly uses technology and engineering design processes, and depending on the subject can require a high degree of innovation and creation (plus, every modeler who has been at it for a few years has a few custom-made tools in their toolbox). Addressing a real-world problem is somewhat dependent on the type of model being created, but historically they have been used to refine ideas in automobile design, architecture, and other fields long before the time and money are spent on the final product.

One of the best points she raises is that a good STEM lesson should appeal equally to boys and girls. Every Make-N-Take I have been to has happily included both genders, and the internet has helped reinforce that the community welcomes anyone with an interest.

Finally, I want to address the "A" discipline. Art is arguably as big a part of scale modeling as engineering, thanks to the flexibility of the hobby. Whether someone is swapping wheels on a '70 Chevelle or creating an entire futuristic landscape, there is a certain degree of individuality that finds its way into most projects. To see this in action, just look at any Community Build Project where the modelers are all tasked with building the same kit. You'll likely see as many variants as there are builders, even if the subject is as simple as a snap-together Space Shuttle.

With all this in their favor, models certainly qualify as STEM- and STEAM-friendly toys for all ages (including adults!). They offer a unique combination of challenges that can only be solved by thinking in multiple dimensions, but can vary in difficulty to suit the individual's skill level. Add in the final reward of having a solid representation of your work, and models have definitely hit all the right points.

On my walk through the aisles at this year's Toy Fair, I came across a series of cars that caught my attention both for their look and the concept behind them. David Silverglate (CEO), Brian Gulassa (Chief Design Officer), and Trevor Hite (COO) are the people responsible for Modarri, a new line of vehicles built around the concept of open-ended play.

To do this, they wanted to create something that worked as both a model and a toy. The simple parts breakdown meant a very short turn from parts to finished car, and by making parts interchangeable between their "dirt," "street," and "track" models, kids can invent their own designs with just a few twists of the (included) screwdriver. Thanks to the way the parts break down, builders can even repaint certain elements to create their own custom color schemes with professional looking break lines - no ragged edges or paint bleed! Then, to make sure kids remained engaged after the assembly, the cars feature functional suspension and steering that can also be swapped between models.

As a model builder, I truly appreciate what the guys at Modarri have done here. The cars look cool, go together easily, and the options for customizing them are a fantastic way to get kids and adults to spend a little time actually building something. As a 1/24 collector, these single-seat roadsters are definitely going to find a place on my shelf. You can check out their full line, including the primer gray "DIY car," at Modarri.com

Along with all of the new building sets on display throughout Toy Fair, there were good old fashioned styrene model kits there as well.

The big one on everyone's radar from Revell is, of course, the Starsky & Hutch Torino. The enthusiasm for this kit is perhaps matched only by the number of people crying out for corrections, which is why the kit has been delayed from its original October 2014 release date. Revell knows that it's not quite right, and has been working to get the troublesome character lines corrected without negatively effecting any other parts of the kit. Having now seen the kit in person, it seems like photos exaggerate the kit's flaws. It has a good presence, and is still far better than the MCW resin transkit that is currently the only option for those wanting a later Gran Torino for their collection.

Revell has also started the rollout of their Fast & Furious series, which sadly does not seem to include a new version of Dom's Charger but has some other high performance vehicles on deck. We also might see an AAR version of their recent '70 'Cuda at some point in the future, which could be re-purposed as Dom's car from F5 or (with a new front & rear fascia) Letty's car as seen in the trailer for F7.

They also had some of their predecorated kits on hand, which have gotten some good reviews from builders (and are something I wish had been around when I did my Last Stand Camaro). I still like the idea of prefinished kits, both for newer modelers and for those with more experience that either can't (for weather or health) or don't want to bother with painting bodies. Revell had this to say about these kits:

Round 2 continues to mine their kit archive, this time bringing us the Man from U.N.C.L.E. Piranha. I ended up using the Classic Reproductions resin kit for this car, and am curious about how the upcoming styrene kit will look by comparison.

They also had a classic Mack, Dune Buggy, and Cosmic Charger on hand, all of which have been eBay and yard sale exclusives for years now.

In new kit news, they had a Flintstones family car to go with their Mystery Machine and Jetsons ship, plus a railroad version of the Polar Lights Back to the Future DeLorean. One oddball was the "Batman Stock Car," which appeared to be their standard CoT in black primer. I'll have to see if there's anything more to it once it's released.

Overall, 2015 looks like it will be a great year for model builders!

A little over a year ago, Mattel was the biggest name in toys. They were sitting comfortably on some of the best-known properties, including Fisher-Price, Barbie, Hot Wheels, and DC, plus had a lock on the collectors' market with titles like Masters of the Universe and Ghostbusters. But LEGO was on a rocket, having just surpassed Mattel's chief rival, Hasbro, and was posting consistently better profits ahead of the February 2014 release of The LEGO Movie. With no in-house brick option (as opposed to Hasbro's Kre-O line), Mattel purchased MEGA Brands, itself one of the ten biggest toy manufacturers.

I have been a fan of MEGA for several years. I've written reviews, visited them at Toy Fair, and just generally enjoyed talking with a group of people who were so genuinely enthusiastic about the products they made. The first representative I spoke to nearly four years ago is still there, and when she was preparing to be out on maternity leave she made sure to let the journalists she was in touch with know who to contact so as to not miss any news (that representative is still with MEGA, too).

My dealings with Mattel have been...different. Every 6-12 months I have to try to figure out who I should contact when my last e-mail bounces back as undeliverable. I have never spoken to the same rep at two consecutive Toy Fairs. Events feel like they were thrown together late, and at nearly all of them I hear the phrase "what's going on?" from other journalists as well as Mattel employees.

Dealing with Mattel has actually become sort of an industry-wide joke. In their entry or last year's Collector Event, CollectionDX subtitled the entry "In Which We Give Up on Mattel," and started the article with, "We've always had a difficult time with MattyCollector at Toy Fair." OAFE.net has pointed out the problems with Mattel time and time again. I've spoken to toy designers, sculptors, and fellow writers who have all shared the same experience.

All this brings me to today.

This morning was Mattel's Mega Bloks Blogger Event, something I only learned about by going up to the Mattel booth on the first day of the show (as no one in charge of organizing the event bothered to communicate with anyone answering e-mails). I was told to be at the Mattel desk at 9, where I and the other writers were checked off a list and issued wristbands. We were then ushered into a room that had several of the upcoming sets assembled and posed on pedestals in front of posters advertising the lines, and left to our own devices. I snapped some pictures, said hello to my Mega rep (who was in attendance, despite no one at Mattel recognizing her name when I asked for her), and was back out on the concourse 15 minutes later.

Compare that to last year, where I made an appointment to visit the booth several weeks ahead of time and was given a half-hour tour that explained the lines, sets, characters, what was good about them, and when to expect to see them in stores. The overall booth was arranged by series, and the displays throughout were nicely done and fun to view. There were interactive displays, packaging samples, and the people working knew exactly what was going on.

I'd say it was merely caused by the difference in company size, except LEGO (the aforementioned largest toy company in the world) was able to answer my e-mails quickly and courteously, and even provided alternatives when their schedule filled up. Sadly, the communication and attitude issues all seem to be on Mattel.

Not the employees, mind you: the people I get to deal with directly are usually great people who are enthusiastic about their work. The problem comes from higher up, somewhere in the machine that is the central workings of Mattel. It's at this level that ennui sets in, communication fails, and things get...well, "Matty'd."

I'm sorry to have seen such a change in the atmosphere of Mega. Their products still look very cool (I'm especially digging their Terminator: Genisys line), but some of the "oomph" has gone out of the people working there. I hope they can find a balance between the company I knew for years and the corporate juggernaut that somehow seems to suck all the fun out of making toys.

Earlier this week, K'Nex sent out press release about their new Mighty Makers line of construction toys. Geared towards girls, the line is especially cool for featuring non-traditional careers such as pilot, architect, and marine biologist. It's part of an overall trend of companies finally recognizing that girls are interested in more than pink dolls and shopping (despite what the TIAA thinks).

Laurie Peterson was there to unveil the newest sets from Build & Imagine, a series that lets kids create their own environments using predecorated modular walls. Their previous sets were primarily backdrops, but they are starting to move towards 3D accessories with the addition of a rope ladder and slide in their upcoming Tree House. The themes of friendship and universal fun activities continue, the art remains clean and vibrant, and the whole world benefits from Laurie and her team's commitment.

IAmElemental seeks to create a line of female action figures with more noble powers than super punches and a 34G bust. The seven figures in series one—Bravery, Energy, Honesty, Industry, Enthusiasm, Persistence, and Fear—represent some of the most easily recognizable and useful traits that children can use as springboards to create their own adventures. The figure designs and art are very slick, and the makers are looking to expand the line in 2015 thanks to a positive response from fans and parents.

Although Monster High may not seem like it goes with some of the other names here, Mega Bloks has provided a reason for more construction-minded girls (and their parents) to celebrate. The fashion dolls had already eschewed the typical "girl" color schemes in favor of a more goth look, and thanks to the realities of block production the Bratz-esque proportions have been all but eliminated. Further helping is that the sole car in the first wave is not a sporty coupé or a family-friendly sedan, but a vintage phaeton hot rod that would fit right in with LEGO's Monster Hunters series.

The big name in "girls are awesome" continues to be GoldieBlox, just coming off a year that included both a Superbowl advertisement and a float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It's great to see people reacting so positively to Debbie Sterling's simple but fundamental idea that girls can enjoy traditionally "boy" activities. The momentum has even caused larger companies that were stuck in a 1950s-era mindset to reexamine their toy lineup, and with that kind of shift it's no longer foolishly optimistic to imagine a better toy aisle for everyone.

In recent years, there has been a clear uptick in the number of building-related toys on display at Toy Fair. Happily, that trend continues in 2015, with even more companies getting in on the action.

One of the all-new faces at Toy Fair, Toyish was showing off their new sets. Starting with a clear plastic cup and either a "racer" or "dancer" base, kids can build their own custom projects by mixing bits & pieces along with creating their own custom inserts. It's a simple but awesome idea that captures many of the "found object" toys and craft projects from years ago.

Mixing old school tech with modern aesthetics, Tegu is a Honduras-based company that was established in an effort to provide jobs and improve the local environment. This year they are debuting the Stunt Team, a group of four sets with a daredevil theme.

Alex Brands was showing off their latest Zoob and CitiBlock sets. The Zoob construction & space series were the latest in that line, offering some new options for the line. Citiblocks are a simple but effective idea, using simple wooden blocks that are precisely cut to allow for the construction of large models without the need for glue or connectors.

Pinblocks are a unique take on the typical building block system. rather than using a variety of shapes, or ensuring compatibility with LEGO sets, these are simple two-peg blocks with rounded corners, allowing builders to flex their imaginations. The idea is simple, but thanks to their small size and flexibility, thay can be used for everything from 8-bit portraits to 3D spaceships.

Best known for their aircraft and military kits, Airfix recently added a slightly different series of car models to their lineup. Similar to what Mega did with their Need for Speed series, these are brick-based cars that look like finished models when they're finished. Unlike those, however, these have full interiors and are very close to (though not precisely scaled to) 1/24 scale.

Finally, McFarlane toys had more of their Walking Dead building block sets on display. First shown at last year's Comic Con, the first series included the Governor's Room, Prison, and Daryl's Chopper (with Dale's Winnebago slated for release later on). The newest sets on display include expansions to the Prison, the Hospital door scene from the first episode, and (possibly coolest of all), a Woodbury 6x6!

A national poll conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of Creativity for Kids®, a Faber-Castell® brand, revealed that 94% of Americans say it is important for their kids to have creative experiences and surprisingly, it made virtually no difference whether those polled had kids under 18 in their household or not (99% versus 92% respectively).

The data, collected in December, just prior to the 2014 holiday buying season revealed that men and women agree unanimously that creativity is important with some differences about why creativity is important. Millennials stood out in their assessment of the value of creativity and that data is addressed later in this story.

The survey reveals it's clear; the vast majority of Americans believe that creative experiences are important and in total they find it's important to 1) support a child's healthy development and 2) to develop a child's problem solving skills.

Two thousand and eight respondents were asked: What is the most important reason why you do/would want your child(ren) to have creative experiences? Even if you do not currently have any children, we are still interested in your opinion.

The total responses were as follows:

I think it's important for my child to have creative experiences	94%
Why?
To support my child's healthy development	28%
To develop my child's problem solving skills	16%
To make my child more successful in their life	15%
To provide balance in my child's life	15%
To make my child happy	8%
To help my family do things together	5%
To give my child a competitive advantage	3%
Some other reason	4%

It's not important for my child to have creative experiences 6%

95% of males think it's important for their children to have creative experiences for the following reasons:

• 26% - Support their child's healthy development
• 20% - To develop their child's problem solving skills

94% of females think it's important for their children to have creative experiences for the following reasons:

• 29% - Support their child's healthy development
• 19% - Provide balance in their child's life

Household Income levels made no difference in whether or not Americans think it's important for their child to have creative experiences, nor did the region of the country in which the respondents live. However, there were significant differences in household income when looking at reasons why they think creativity is important.

The survey demonstrates people of different household income levels mostly agree on reasons why creativity is important with most agreeing it could have a positive impact on their child's achievement and better prepare them for future employment. Those with a higher household income of $50,000 or more are more likely to say they think their child should have creative experiences to develop their problem solving skills compared to those with a household income of less than $50,000 (19% vs. 12%, respectively).

Millennials ages 18-34 said their number one reason was to support their child's healthy development (28%). "To make my child more successful," was their number two reason (21%) in contrast to other older generations, who maxed out between 10% and 16%—perhaps indicating that Millennials think creativity plays an important role in their child's future career more so than other generations. This viewpoint is often validated through direct focus group research conducted each year by Creativity for Kids.
"Our mission has always focused on providing children with quality experiences that will stimulate their natural creativity as well as providing opportunities for parents and children to spend time together creating," said Jamie Gallagher, CEO of Faber-Castell USA (who is also a featured speaker at the Creativity World Forum in March). "We recognize parents want experiences for their children that will help build lifelong skills. We know Creativity Counts – creativity develops children's problem solving and critical thinking skills. It is the catalyst for innovation, invention and the development of new ideas that influence the future." This is a recurring theme that the company has seen among Millennial parents since they began the Creativity Comeback in 2013 with the Creativity Can®

There is a deep body of scientific evidence that demonstrates that creative experiences, in particular those that encourage free-thinking and working with materials with one's hands in an open-ended environment, lead to the kind of creative intellect that results in higher test scores, cognitive ability and even protracted attention spans for children with autism.

According to a major IBM survey of more than 1,500 Chief Executive Officers from 60 countries and 33 industries worldwide, chief executives believe that -- more than rigor, management discipline, integrity or even vision -- successfully navigating an increasing complex world will require creativity. (Source: IBM 2010 Global CEO Study: Creativity Selected as Most Crucial Factor for Future Success).

That connection between creativity and solving the world's challenges is the primary subject of Walter Isaacson's Why innovation needs both art and science article on the World Economic Forum website: "The most creative innovations of the digital age came from those who were able to connect the arts and sciences. Like many aspects of the digital age, this idea that innovation resides where art and science connect is not new. Leonardo da Vinci was the exemplar, and his drawing of the Vitruvian Man became the symbol of the creativity that flourishes when humanities and science come together." (Source: WEF Website).

There is also a significant body of evidence that shows the power of parents and kids connecting through creativity, not just in the home, but in their communities as well.

"Studies show that parents that are active in the development of their children's creativity are also active in schools where art programs thrive," said Brad Snyder, Executive Director for the Dion Initiative at Arizona State University and a childhood development expert and author of 5 Simples Rules for Raising Kids. In addition, Snyder said products like Creativity Can are, "perfect for home schooling or after school hours when kids are most likely to have idle time otherwise filled up with tablets or digital media." He added that it's important [for us] to continue to have these discussions about the importance of creativity and to take action to support it both at home and in our communities.

As Creativity for Kids continues its push for a nationwide Creativity Comeback, the company distributed nearly 80,000 free Creativity Cans nationwide. In 2014 the company launched a group of themed cans to join The BIG Creativity Can® on store shelves.

The BIG Creativity Can® has been recognized with the following prestigious awards: Working Mother Best in Play 2014, The National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval, Parents' Choice Gold award Winner, ToyPortfolio.com Platinum and SNAP Awards, Play Advances Language Award and a Noise on Toys Gold Award.
The Creativity Can family will be joined by the unveiling of 20 new products from Faber-Castell USA at the American International Toy Fair, which takes place February 14-17, 2015 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. Faber-Castell USA/Creativity for Kids will exhibit in booth #479. This is the 37^th year that Creativity for Kids has participated in the event.

Creativity for Kids creates safe, innovative products that meet or exceed U.S. safety standards as determined by independent laboratory testing. For more information, visit www.creativityforkids.com.

The holidays are over and most kids likely received whatever the latest fad happens to be.  Perhaps it's the newest iPad or a walking, talking plush creature, but one thing's for sure: They'll lose interest in it in no time at all, especially when the next model comes out a few months from now.

Enter Candylab Toys, a timeless toy manufacturer of fantastic classic wooden cars that hearken back to when toys had character and could stand the test of time as heirlooms to be passed from one generation to the next. 

Candylab Toys' wooden cars are elegant, durable, and simple, giving children a chance to create their own stories around the objects they play with.  In other words, children can once again use their imaginations!

"I wanted to see children, including my own, return to simplicity when it came to play," said Vlad Dragusin , Founder of Candylab Toys.  "Kids are too distracted by electronics to enjoy straightforward and imaginative toys like our parents and grandparents had.  This is why I started Candylab Toys."

Currently, Candylab Toys offers the following charming wooden car selections:

The Orange GT-10: In a bright orange, race striped livery, it riffs on the pure soul of a classic sports car if there ever was one. They don’t come much more American Muscle than that.

Police Cruiser:  Boxy and assertive, shiny Black-and-White paint scheme, gold star  and with two cherries on top. Making sure racing stays at the track.

Firechief: This is a special limited edition model that conveys some serious four-alarm fun!  Be the chief of the fire house with this hand-painted woodworking masterpiece.

Plum 50: A head turning beauty, draped in a striking color, she will stand out at the track.  Same racing bones as its other brethren, but oh-so-smartly dressed.

For ordering information and to find retailers, please visit www.candylabtoys.com.

K'NEX Brands, the US construction toy company focused on Building Worlds Kids Love®, is excited to introduce Mighty Makers; a line of construction toys designed to empower girls through creative and stimulating building ideas!

Created by an all-female marketing and design team, the Mighty Makers building set line encourages girls ages 7+ to build BIG ideas. Each Science, Technology, Engineering and Math ("STEM") based set includes colorful rods, connectors, panels, engaging story-based instructions that follow the life of the included female figure and an exploration card for additional educational fun.

"STEM jobs are increasing faster than non-STEM jobs and the need for educated and excited workers is ever-growing. We've noticed a lack of women pursuing careers in STEM and we want to help change that," said Kristen Krikorian, Director of Marketing, K'NEX Brands. "The trend starts early. We've seen in our focus groups that many young girls have a natural inclination towards building and designing, but there are very few options for them in the building toy aisle. Mighty Makers building sets were designed to empower young girls to express their natural creativity with fun, colorful structures and characters. Mighty Makers sets aim to show every girl that she can be MIGHTY!"

The 2015 Mighty Makers product line includes:

Mighty Makers: Up, Up and Away Building Set

Fly high in the sky with Ava and her bird, Jay, with the Up, Up and Away Building Set. Ava loves all things that can fly. Help Ava create a butterfly, build an airplane, or invent her very own flying contraption! Decorate the STEM themed builds using the included accessories and get ready to take flight. The Mighty Makers Up, Up and Away Building Set includes over 110 colorful K'NEX parts and pieces, featuring a cock pit seat, star and flower snaps, and Ava's goggles. Set also comes with full color instructions for three different aviation themed builds, and an exploration card that challenges builders to investigate additional themed concepts. All K'NEX rods and connectors are made in the USA. Suggested retail price is $16.99. Ages 7+. Available Fall 2015 on knex.com and at toy retailers nationwide.

Mighty Makers: Going Green Building Set

Reduce, reuse and rebuild with Zoe and her hedgehog, Roland, in the Mighty Makers Going Green Building Set. Using the included tools, curious builders can help Zoe build a garden, greenhouse or flower box. This exciting building set features over 90 K'NEX parts and pieces, 2 figures -- Zoe and Roland --, gardening tools, flowers, foliage and more! Also included are full color instructions for three different botany themed builds, and an exploration card that challenges builders to explore additional botany concepts. All K'NEX rods and connectors are made in the USA. Suggested retail price is $16.99. Ages 7+. Available Fall 2015 on knex.com and at toy retailers nationwide.

Mighty Makers: Fun at the Fair Building Set

Ride all the rides with Emily and her bear, Cocoa, with the Fun at the Fair Building Set. Help Emily build her own amusement park with a Ferris Wheel, Pirate Ship ride, and boardwalk game. Set includes over 225 K'NEX parts and pieces, 2 figures -- Emily and Cocoa --, Ferris Wheel seats, star snaps, and more! Also features full color building instructions with ideas for three different mechanical engineering themed builds, and an exploration card which challenges builders to explore additional mechanical engineering concepts. All K'NEX rods and connectors are made in the USA. Suggested retail price is $29.99. Ages 7+. Available Fall 2015 on knex.com and at toy retailers nationwide.

Mighty Makers: Deep Sea Dive Building Set

Dive deep into the ocean blue with Marissa and her fish, Queen, in the Mighty Makers Deep Sea Dive Building Set. Explore the deep depths of the ocean with Marissa on her marine boat, or win first prize at the school science fair while learning about the food chain. Builders can also transform Marissa into a beautiful mermaid who can swim among the fish and ocean vegetation. This exciting building set includes over 260 K'NEX parts and pieces, 2 figures -- Marissa and Queen --, and accessories such as a microscope, laptop and jelly fish. Set also features full color building instructions for 3 different oceanographic themed builds, and an exploration card that challenges builders to explore additional marine biology concepts. All K'NEX rods and connectors are made in the USA. Suggested retail price is $29.99. Ages 7+. Available Fall 2015 on knex.com and at toy retailers nationwide.

Mighty Makers: Home Designer Building Set

Don't just play with your dream house — build it from the ground up! The Mighty Makers Home Designer Building Set invites builders to follow the included blue prints, and join Brianna and Sophia as they build different houses -- a Colonial, a brownstone, or a cottage. Use the included flowers, flower pots, seats, tables, lamps and more to decorate the houses. Set features over 265 K'NEX parts and pieces, 2 figures -- Brianna and Sophia --, and accessories. Also comes with full color instructions for three different architecture themed builds, and an exploration card that challenges builders to explore additional concepts. All K'NEX rods and connectors are made in the USA. Suggested retail price is $39.99. Ages 7+. Available Fall 2015 on knex.com and at toy retailers nationwide.

Transmorphers 2: Fall of Man was, for an Asylum movie, surprisingly not too bad (not that the films it mimicked set a terribly high bar). It certainly didn't hurt that Scarecrow himself, Bruce Boxleitner, played the role of officer Hadley Ryan. To add this movie to my collection, I did a quick upgrade to MotorMax's Crown Vic.