STEM LABZ
We spent our Easter Break
in a technology free zone playing lots of games, experiments and activities. We
were sent to review two great kits from Thames & Kosmos who produce science
kits to keep you busy and to help explore STEM activities. We home school our youngest
too, so these were a great activity to begin to explore chemistry and other sciences.
Amazing Minerals – excavate minerals like a real geologist! There are
five different gemstones to hidden in the soft plaster material, with factual
information on each in the colourful instructions.
Bouncing Planets – space fans will
love making their own bouncy-ball planets in various colours. Create a coloured mixture,
pour it into a spherical mould and dip it in water to solidify, and voila! A
new awesome bouncing planet is formed.
Crystal
Geode – this
kit includes all the
ingredients and instructions needed to grow your own crystals in a self-cast
plaster mould, and transforms them into beautiful shiny crystal geode forms,
creating a unique and mysterious spherical rock formation.
Crystal
Growing – from white crystal salt and
water, this pack shows children how easy it is to create their own fascinating
crystals. Enclosed dye adds colour to each creation and there’s also a fun
booklet to explain what crystals actually are and how their various forms
develop.
Prehistoric
Sea Dogs – an unusual ‘pet’ for Easter, this experiment kit
lets kids breed their own prehistoric crustacean. Place prehistoric eggs into salty water and watch the larvae
hatch. Using the food included, keep them well fed, and watch the
hatchlings grow into shrimps.
Molecule
Beads – As if by magic, turn liquids into slimy giant
molecules! Whether it’s balls, snakes or
jellyfish, this kit lets children form and study all kinds of slimy giant
molecules. A must for any budding slime scientist!
Monster
Putty – make playful monsters or funky aliens with this amazing
‘Intelligent putty’. The kit includes plastic parts to help with effects,
but watch in amazement as the putty changes within a few minutes due to its
special characteristics.
Magic Tricks – a slight side-step from science, this ‘bag’
of tricks will teach children how to perform magic in no time. Each pack
includes a collection of magic ingredients and colourful step-by-step
instructions, to enable children to put on their own performance.
We were sent two boxes from the STEM Labz range by Thames & Kosmos – the Crystal Geode and Sea Dogs box. All the STEM LABZ boxes are priced at £8.99 each and range from minerals to putty’s to planets and crystals. There’s really a box to explore for every interest.
The Prehistoric Sea Dogs – Slightly different from the dogs we
have in our household normally this kit allowed the boys to breed their own
prehistoric crustacean. You place the eggs which the kit provides into salty
water and watch as the larvae hatch. Then using the food included its easy to
keep them well fed and watch the larvae grow in to shrimps.
Everything you need to produce your own Geode |
The Crystal Growing entertained the boys a little more I
have to say and they really enjoyed this experiment. You do need a couple of
extra things which aren’t included in the box such as a jam jar and yogurt pot
but otherwise you’re pretty much good to go. The first step is heating up the
water to produce salt nuggets which with a little help grow in the crystals on
a plaster of Paris mould which you also make – the plaster not the mould- that’s
included. Them with the red dye included the grows grow and you end up growing
your own crystal geode.
The eldest adored all the "proper" chemical names on the ingredients! |
Each kit comes with
clear instructions to follow and while the crystal growing need adult help the
rest could be done with only a little assistance. They rather enjoyed being
able to do a fair amount on their own and it gave them a great deal of
satisfaction and I think strengthen their interest in the projects. These are
great stand-alone kits and with the bank holiday weekends coming up are a great
way to spend an afternoon!
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