I wanted to put Ethan in the Roboquest class at the national museum of atomic and neuclear history, but it was totally closed.  So, in an effort to make myself feel better for dropping the ball, I decided to look into Lego Mindstorms.  In the process I found that Lego has an entire education department, including a homeschool section where you can purchase not only lego bricks, but all sorts of other educational things.  Very cool!  I still don't have $300 to spend on a great Mindstorms kit, but I wish I did!

http://www.legoeducation.com/store/SearchResult.aspx?pl=6&c=0&t=0&l=0

every now and then they come up on the Homeschool Buyer's Co-op... still expensive, but a little less so.