With the holiday approaching why not give someone the gift of dealing with technology or science at a more basic level than what they get from the consumer world.
For someone in grade school a crystal radio would be a great place to start. Twenty years ago one could score the parts for less than a dollar at any electronics shop, but now we are limited to places like Radio Shack and something like the kit I mention is cheaper.
Learning how to solder is a necessary skill if one wants to fool around with electronics. Most low end soldering irons are sufficient for beginners, but this one is packaged with a few trivial kits to build as well as a pair of wire cutters.
Someone at the middle school level may want to see if their parents have working hearts. This is far and away the cheapest ECG kit I've seen and they have been turning up in science fairs. Another kit with some cool factor is this simple radar gun. I haven't seen one in action, but can imagine most teenage boys (and a few girls) would want one. If you aren't into kit building they offer a ready to use speed gun.
For the kid who is already building things or might prefer working without a kit, check out The Xtal Set Society. I have some of the books and recommend the likes of "Radios that Work for Free." You can also find sources of hard to find parts without hitting eBay, yard sales and junk yards.
For adults with serious incomes there are places like PV Scientific Instruments and beyond. Some drool factor here, but these are expensive.
5:54:44 AM 
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