MEL Physics — Science Experiments Subscription Box for Kids DIY Engineering Kit Learning & Education Toys for Boys and Girls STEM Projects Ages 8+

My husband grumbled at the price but I pointed out he doesn't have a cutting machine to create all the tiny wooden parts and such and the time it would take to do so is worth the price. My kids really liked the comic explaining the project and successfully built a little hydraulic lift with minimum guidance. My younger son broke it about an hour later and my engineer husband said it was due to a design flaw but is fixable with a bit of wood glue and a stouter piece of wood so I don't consider that a major issue. It did the job of teaching the concept and the kids really loved it. We plan to keep going with the subscription.

The MEL Chemistry kit contains everything needed for the experiment including goggles. The starter kit also has VR goggles to use the excellent MEL chemistry app. The first month's kit has two experiments. The directions are simple and easy to follow. I like their version of the carbon snake experiment because it uses much safer chemicals than the version usually seen yet it it still spectacular.The second month's kit involves tin metal. One experiment makes a dendrite, the other a hedgehog. Both are beautiful.What I like most about the kit is the meticulous attention to detail. For example, the instructions direct the user to add sodium bicarbonate to the heating fuel to make the flame visible. This makes the experiment safer but also opens up a discussion about luminescence. The kit also includes thermostickers that can be affixed to all equipment that will be heated, eliminating the old saw that "Hot and cold glassware look alike."

My son was not interested in the kit however it is good quality for the cost.

Just received my starter kit today. I expected some relatively trivial experiments inside, but let me tell you - this chemistry kit wants you to understand and visualize what’s going on. It’s not a simple party tricks! I have to come back to the kit on the Thanksgiving and spend some time with it.What I could tell so far:- The quality of the products inside is great.- There are nice safety glasses and gloves- Big book with the details of experiments. Looks like there are 2 in the first kit: carbon snake and come eruption.- A lot of chemicals- VR cardboard glasses.For me the big thing is that this kit is actually going to teach you about the processes and visualize them on a molecular level. That sounds to good to be true, but we shell see!I’m going to update the review with the experiment photos later!

Outstanding experience for kids! The November box had two experiments, and the December box has just arrived. The way it is set up is that the first shipment has a starter kit - commonly used tools - and a first actual subscription items to make 2 experiments, while the second (and I assume further) boxes only have the next 2 experiments.Our first box had the volcano and carbon snake experiments, both very easy to do and very impressive. Setup is great, there is a companion app you run on the phone which tells you what to do, and there is even a small set for the phone so you don't need to hold it while experimenting. Another nice thing is that they sent more materials than needed for a single try of experiment, so you can actually repeat 1-2 extra times.Highly recommended!

I subscribed to this recently, and want to share my experience. I have 10yo old son. I got the first box with two experiments - foam eruption and snake. And this is really exciting! From my son's perspective, it's fun to conduct these experiments like a real chemist: mix powders, pour chemicals into flask, shake, set on fire. And the result is amazing: this funny reactions last for some time to really enjoy them.I enjoyed detailed description of how the reactions work, ion/cation, formulas that I mostly forgot since school. I tried to explain some of this to my son: I'm happy that he now knows how water breaks molecules into ions. But most of these will be interesting for high school kids.Description doesn't say it, but I liked that every experiment has enough chemicals to run it at least twice(!). More, I'm surprised that all chemicals are safe and can be found at home: soap, citric acid, baking soda, food colorant and etc. I wish the box to have matches in it, but I guess some regulations ban it.

Maybe my son is too young, just not quite was I was expecting or hoping for. Was a gift for 9 year boy birthday - came way after due to subscription model, not their fault (I knew that coming in). Thought it would be a nice surprise after the birthday fun was gone. To be honest, it was just boring. Maybe we got an off month, I guess they can’t all be super exciting but me and the kid both were just bored with it before we even started. Quality seemed nice, just the content was…blah. I’m thinking maybe an older kid MIGHT get more out if it. But then, too top off the disappointment I sent it back for refund (I appreciate that, thank goodness for Prime!) but instead of refunding me the $36 I paid - they refunded me $3.60!! I’m assuming (hoping!) it was a mistake but now I have to deal with that, calling and emailing, blah blah blah. Just regret the whole thing! Maybe a better fit for another child, just not for us!

Whoa, the flavor question freaks me out. For the love, please don't taste the chemicals. It's NOT an edible kit.So the kit itself was well stocked, quality products. The initial experiments were ok, but we hit a snag pretty quickly in. We were unable to access the apps because I kept being prompted to subscribe to the box. The apps would have helped greatly I think. I unsubscribed to the box due to this issue. The company needs to change it so people who purchased the subscription thru Amazon has a way to access the apps without being prompted to subscribe to the box. No matter what I tried, I was always taken to the subscribe screen. So now I have a disappointed daughter and a bunch of various science supplies that are useless to us.