Arduino starter kit

Hey guys...

I'm looking for a hobby that can maybe help me in my work. I thought in buy one of those Arduino starter kits. I'm a physicist and work with atmospheric related experiments. So in the long term I wanted to combine the hobby with the work.

Well. What do you guys suggest for me? I was thinking in build like... thermometers, humidity sensors, stepper motors. Those sort of things.

Thanks

Rafael mesquita