Bring fluid systems to life—and introduce students to the plumbing trade!
The Kidder Mini Plumber Kit combines practical construction, STEAM learning, and skilled trades exploration in one engaging project. Students measure and cut tubing, connect fittings, install shutoff valves, fasten pipe straps, and test a working miniature plumbing system.
Water travels from a central reservoir through two independently controlled branch lines. Students predict where the water will go, operate the valves, and discover how one branch can be shut off while the other continues flowing.
A Practical Connection to Hydraulics & Pneumatics
This gravity-fed water model gives teachers a concrete way to introduce liquid flow, branching networks, and valve control. It is an engaging companion to Hydraulics & Pneumatics lessons, providing a working water-based example for classroom comparisons with air-operated pneumatic systems.
Students build confidence through a clear sequence: plan, assemble, test, observe, and troubleshoot.
Features & Specifications
Component
Details
Supply reservoir
30 cc / 30 mL open-barrel reservoir with a self-adhesive mounting bracket.
Clear vinyl tubing
¼″ flexible tubing, measured and cut into seven sections by students.
Plumbing fittings
1 tee fitting, 2 blue-handled shutoff valves with threaded connectors, and 2 × 90° elbows.
Custom pipe straps
4 x Kidder pipe straps, each with two screw mounting points.
Custom stand feet
2 x Kidder feet, designed for ⅛″ Coroplast, support the upright model.
Display board
Printed Coroplast layout with component and mounting guides.
Tools & hardware
Stubby Robertson screwdriver included in every pack, with #6 × ¼″ pan-head Robertson mounting screws.
Water outlets
Two outlet tubes direct water into separate collection cups for observation.
The standard build uses seven tubing sections: one 1½″, four 2″, and two 2½″ pieces—14½″ total. Measuring and cutting give fractions, accuracy, and unit conversions a practical purpose.
Concepts & Skills Covered
Fluid systems: Gravity-driven water flow, branching, and flow control.
Plumbing principles: Supply reservoirs, tee fittings, elbows, shutoff valves, and branch isolation.
Practical construction: Measuring, cutting, connecting, mounting, and using a Robertson screwdriver.
Scientific investigation: Making predictions, testing valves, observing results, and explaining outcomes.
Troubleshooting: Checking connections, identifying leaks, and preventing pinched tubing.
STEAM Meets the Skilled Trades
Connect science through water movement, technology through functional components and 3D printing, engineering through assembly and testing, arts and design through visual communication and organized layouts, and mathematics through measurement, volume, and angles.
Ideal for STEAM classrooms, makerspaces, technology education, skilled trades discovery programs, and plumbing career exploration, the kit introduces students to the planning, precision, and problem solving used by tradespeople.
Extensive Illustrated Instructions Included
The four-page Complete Guide takes students through Prepare → Connect → Mount & Test → Explore, with:
Full-size tubing cutting templates when printed at 100% / Actual Size.
Letter-coded assembly diagrams and component explanations.
Mounting instructions and a readiness checklist.
Three guided valve investigations with prediction and observation prompts.
Plumbing repair discussion questions and an introduction to the trade.
Give students the satisfaction of building something that works—and practical skills they can build on.
Also available in a 6/pk: Cat# 83-50PLUM6.
Tools Needed — Not Included
12″ ruler
Scissors
These are the only tools you need to supply! A stubby Robertson screwdriver is included in every pack for fastening the pipe straps to the display board.
