TS 2016 Gift Guide

Sciencey gifts for the science-minded giver

Written byKerry Grens
| 3 min read

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Water bear stuffed animal

The beloved tardigrade—revered for its toughness, adored for its adorableness—isn’t a huggable critter. Fortunately, toymakers are well aware of this longing to cuddle a giant water bear, and there are a several plush tardigrades on the market. Hamee (Amazon) has a brown version for under $20, while ThinkGeek has a blue option for $39.99.

Observer’s notebook: trees

This lovely naturalist’s notebook is both a guide to identifying trees and a diary for logging observations. In addition to images of leaves and other tree features, “this durable notebook also features ruled pages and blank maps to create your own tree census or simply reflect on the beauty of the planet’s longest-living, grandest organisms.” Princeton Architectural Press sells the book for about $15 (Amazon).

Fancy lab coat

“Despite all of the advances in science and medicine, one thing has barely changed—the design of the lab ...

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Meet the Author

  • kerry grens

    Kerry served as The Scientist’s news director until 2021. Before joining The Scientist in 2013, she was a stringer for Reuters Health, the senior health and science reporter at WHYY in Philadelphia, and the health and science reporter at New Hampshire Public Radio. Kerry got her start in journalism as a AAAS Mass Media fellow at KUNC in Colorado. She has a master’s in biological sciences from Stanford University and a biology degree from Loyola University Chicago.

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