Science or Space Gadget Shop: Which Is Best for Your School?
So, you love the idea of running an Inspire Science Education Gadget Shop at your school.
There’s just one question:
Should you choose the Science Gadget Shop or the Space Gadget Shop?
The good news is that there really isn’t a wrong answer.
Both are designed specifically for primary schools. Both give children the opportunity to explore exciting gadgets, experiments and curiosities. Both arrive with the resources you need to organise your event. And both can turn an exciting science experience into a fantastic fundraising opportunity for your school.
But there are some important differences.
Here’s how to decide which Gadget Shop is right for your school.
At a glance: Science or Space?
Science Gadget Shop | Space Gadget Shop | |
Best for | Broad science engagement | Space, astronomy and exploration |
Curriculum links | Wide range across the primary science curriculum | Particularly strong links to Earth & Space and wider STEM |
Ideal events | World Science Day, British Science Week, STEM days, science fairs | World Space Week, space topics, STEM days, themed school events |
Pupil appeal | Experiments, scientific curiosities and fascinating gadgets | Space-themed gadgets, exploration and astronomy |
Best choice if… | You want something that appeals across lots of areas of science | You want a strong theme that captures children's imagination |
Fundraising potential | Up to £1,200 depending on kit size | Up to £1,200 depending on kit size |
Choose the Science Gadget Shop if you want the broadest curriculum connection
The Science Gadget Shop is our broadest science experience.
Its products can help start conversations about topics including:
forces, light, materials, animals, plants, habitats, states of matter, rocks, Earth & Space, evolution and inheritance.
That makes it particularly useful if you want your event to support science across the whole school rather than focus on one particular topic.
It can work brilliantly alongside:
World Science Day
British Science Week
STEM days
science fairs
parents' evenings
school fairs
reward events
science enrichment activities
And because the products cover lots of different areas of science, children with completely different interests can usually find something that fascinates them.
If your main aim is simply:
“We want to get more children excited about science.”
The Science Gadget Shop is probably your best choice.
Choose the Space Gadget Shop if you want a powerful theme
Space has an extraordinary ability to capture children's imaginations.
Rockets. Planets. Astronauts. The Moon. Exploration. The possibility of discovering something nobody has discovered before.
The Space Gadget Shop takes that excitement and turns it into a whole-school experience.
It is particularly suited to schools celebrating:
World Space Week – 4th–10th October
or teaching a space-related topic.
The product selection has a much stronger space and exploration theme, making the event feel more focused and immersive than the broader Science Gadget Shop.
It can also be a brilliant choice for schools that want something a little different.
Children may already have experienced science fairs, science days and experiments in school.
A dedicated Space Gadget Shop can feel like a special event in its own right.
Which one will children prefer?
This might be the hardest question to answer.
Because children tend to love both.
The Science Gadget Shop offers variety.
The Space Gadget Shop offers a particularly strong theme.
So instead of asking:
“Which shop will children like more?”
ask:
“What do we want children to be talking about afterwards?”
If the answer is:
“Science!”
Choose the Science Gadget Shop.
If the answer is:
“Space!”
Choose the Space Gadget Shop.
It really can be that simple.
What size Gadget Shop does my school need?
Once you've chosen between Science and Space, the next decision is the size of your kit.
We recommend choosing according to the approximate number of pupils who will have the opportunity to visit your Gadget Shop.
Kit | Approx. pupil numbers | Potential PTA profit |
MINI | Up to 120 pupils | Up to £200 |
MAXI | 121–240 pupils | Up to £400 |
SUPERNOVA | 241–360 pupils | Up to £600 |
HYPERNOVA | 361–480 pupils | Up to £800 |
OMEGA | 481–600 pupils | Up to £1,000 |
COSMOS | 601+ pupils | Up to £1,200 |
The idea is simple:
Choose the kit that most closely matches the number of children likely to take part.
Not sure?
Just tell us your approximate pupil numbers and we can point you towards the most suitable option.
What do both Gadget Shops include?
Whichever version you choose, we don't simply send you a box of products and leave you to work everything else out.
Your Gadget Shop comes with the support you need to help organise and promote your event, including resources such as:
✓ Posters
✓ Parent information
✓ Price lists
✓ Event guidance
✓ A raffle prize worth at least £20
✓ Access to your online support resources
And importantly, your school doesn't need to spend its science budget buying stock upfront.
Your Gadget Shop is designed to combine three things schools often struggle to achieve at the same time:
Inspire children.
Make running the event manageable.
Raise money for the school.
Still can't decide between Science and Space?
Here is our simplest recommendation.
Choose SCIENCE if:
You want the widest possible science appeal, strong links across the primary curriculum or an event for World Science Day or British Science Week.
Choose SPACE if:
You are celebrating World Space Week, teaching a space topic or simply want to harness children's fascination with rockets, planets and exploration.
And if both sound perfect?
There is no rule saying your school can only run one Gadget Shop.
Some schools may choose a Space Gadget Shop around World Space Week in October and bring science back into the spotlight at another point in the year.
Ready to choose your Gadget Shop?
Whether you choose Science or Space, the goal is exactly the same:
To give children an exciting experience that gets them talking about STEM — while giving your school the opportunity to raise valuable extra funds.
Choose your Gadget Shop.
Choose the kit size for your school.
Complete your order form and let us take care of the rest.
Inspire Science Education
Bringing Learning to Life
🏫 Home to the Gadget Shop💰 Fundraise up to £1,200 for your school
