18 gifts that math nerds actually want
A nifty bottle opener for the poor souls pursuing their PhDs.
A book or two to sharpen your chess skills.
"My 60 Memorable Games" is a masterpiece. It's one of the most important chess books, written by one of the game's greatest legends, Bobby Fischer. If you're a serious chess player, you need to have it.
Plus, if you are rated under 2000, we recommend looking at Ludek Pachman's "Modern Chess Strategy," a concise and highly readable text.
"My 60 Memorable Games": $18.86
"Modern Chess Strategy": $13.67
A mini attachable "telescope" for your iPhone.
This mini "telescope" camera attaches to your iPhone and comes with 18x magnification and a tripod.
It's a fun, astrophysics-ish gadget, and is easier to lug around that a professional camera.
Telescope camera lens: $33.99
A cool alternative to the varsity jacket.
This crystal-growing project makes a great gift for young math lovers.
If there's a young science enthusiast in your life, this crystal-growing kit will make for a great gift. It's a fun way to get out of the textbooks and into real-life experiments.
We apologize in advance for any major messes you will have to clean up.
Electronic crystal-growing kit: $21.99
A science-y version of the classic whiskey book.
"Proof: The Science of Booze" traces through the physics, biology, chemistry, neurobiology and more behind one of humanity's greatest past times: indulging in a good drink.
"Proof: The Science of Booze": $18.27
A delightful read from the math teacher you wish you had.
Math is often presented as dense and boring, but Cornell professor Steven Strogatz brings it to life with his digestible and entertaining writing style.
For someone who's new to math or wants a charming refresher, we recommend "Joy of X." But for those who are a bit more scientifically literate, we recommend "Sync," which explains how enormous systems synchronize themselves.
"Joy of X": $14.10
"Sync": $12.96
A sweet stocking stuffer to help your friend survive a probability final.
The Foundation Trilogy.
Isaac Asimov's masterpiece is arguably one of the greatest science-fiction trilogies ever written. The galaxy-spanning epic revolves around a fallen empire and a brilliant mathematician's plan to shape history and preserve civilization.
This beautiful hardcover edition comes with a nifty endpaper galaxy photograph courtesy of NASA.
"The Foundation Trilogy": $22.94
The classic — and secretly beloved — math-joke T-shirt.
Let's be honest. Everyone loves a good math joke. And what better way than to put it on a T-shirt?
Bonus points if it's from the recipient's alma mater.
Caltech T-shirt: $13.95
A subtle tribute to your "Star Trek" obsession.
In the opening scene of a "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode, Capt. Picard works on solving Fermat's Last Theorem, musing that it has still not been solved after 800 years.
Amazingly, British mathematician Andrew Wiles actually found the proof six years after the episode aired. And this was subsequently, subtly addressed in a later "Deep Space Nine" episode.
In any case, you can pay tribute to one of the best shows ever with this iPhone case.
"TNG" command uniform iPhone case: $23.95
Whiskey glasses for the college student scraping through multivariable calculus.
The higher dimensional thinking involved in multivariable calculus is initially jarring and enough to make anyone's head spin.
We recommend a good antidote of fine whiskey in some fine math-symbol-covered glasses.
Math glasses (set of 4): $38
A nifty roll-up chess set.
A standard chess set isn't exactly portable. So if you're a serious player, investing in a roll-up board and a carry-on bag may be a smart move.
Tournament triple-weighted chess set: $32.99
A Go board.
If chess isn't your thing, consider picking up a Go set. The ancient Chinese game is so complex and nuanced that computer scientists have spent decades trying to make a program capable of taking on skilled human players.
Go set with natural wood board and full set of stones: $17.99
A book or two from the inimitable Richard Feynman.
Physicist Richard Feynman was probably just as well known for his bongo playing as he was for his physics work. But as colorful as his personality was, what really put Feynman on the map was his ability to explain complicated things in a way that people can actually understand.
If you're looking for a good explainer for some of the strangest parts of modern physics, we recommend "Six Not-So-Easy Pieces." But we also recommend his autobiography "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!"
"Six Not-So-Easy Pieces": $12.93
"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!": $9.09
An Arduino starter kit.
This Arduino computer kit comes with 19 projects and is designed specifically for beginners.
It's a fun way to learn how to build simple devices, and makes a great gift for anyone who loves hands-on work and has an interest in computer science or electronics.
SunFounder New Uno R3 Project Super Kit: $52.99
A 3-D printer pen.
If you've ever wanted to draw in 3-D, we recommend scooping up a 3-D printer pen. You'll be able to bring your ideas to life "in the air."
This version is great for noobs and pros alike.
7TECH 3-D printing pen: $89.98
And last but not least, something to help you pick a new language in your spare time.
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