[Ad- gifted product] As any regular readers will know, we’re happy to dip into a science-themed subscription box here. We’ve, most recently, just wrapped up the KiwiCo Tinker Crate, and so it makes perfect sense that we turn our gaze toward MEL Science, specifically their MEL Physics range; a kit aimed at a slightly older audience and specifically focused on decrypting scientific jargon into an accessible educational package. The first month we grabbed was based around Luminescence, and it was a fantastic example of MEL Physics’ boxes at their purest.
We ran into the MEL Science team earlier on in the year, while at an event. I was drawn to the stand by how professional each of the boxes on display looked. They had a simple, clear design, with one or two objects on the front, but a simple title down the spine. Each box was a single stark colour, giving them the look of classic school textbooks. The staff manning the stand gave us some simple demonstrations of accessible science but also introduced us to the App and the VR/AR elements that go hand in hand with their subscription.
There are three choices of box; MEL Chemistry, MEL Physics, and MEL Kids which cover age groups from 5-16+. Each not only includes the science-oriented experiments but also grant access to either VR/AR lessons and also give you access to weekly, online classes (and help with the experiments if you are stuck). In fact, the app recommends that you send along your experiments once they are complete so that one of the team can verify that you completed the experiment well. This is really great, as it means that there are a lot more opportunities for the child to connect with the actual science of it in the home environment than with other kits, or other forms of online learning.
The Luminescence box included three experiments, each based around an included UV Pen. There was a simple ‘hidden message’ experiment where you drew messages on some fake currency, there was a lesson where you mixed a luminescent fluid with water to create cool effects, and there was an experiment where you created a swimming pendulum that etched out messages on a piece of reactive paper. Each of these came with really clear instructions, formatted with a similar level of clean design and professionalism as the box. Most importantly though, they also very clearly – and with diagrams – explained the science that was at play in each experiment, and while they did use scientific lingo freely, it was appropriately introduced. There was also a QR code included which helped set up the app, and another which gave a fourth lesson.
The box itself was laid out very well, with foam packaging holding the more delicate components in place. That said, there was a lot of packaging which felt extra, but aside from the plastic tear-packaging, there wasn’t much that went to waste in there. We still have the two platforms built and put away, ready to be used again.
The coolest thing, though, is definitely the app. It persists beyond the experiments and includes a timeline of cool science facts that are regularly updated. It also has bonus experiments in there, and it serves as a portal for the AR and VR lessons if your box includes them. It’s incredibly sleek and very accessible, and I was quite impressed with the design.
Kai and I are looking forward to trying the next box, and we’re also quite interested in the idea of the MEL Chemistry box once we’ve had a decent run at the physics one.
This is pretty cool with the UV, my boy would love it. He currently has a grow your own crystals kit to try out which he got for his birthday
Grow your own crystals is so fun!
Educational fun things like this sound like great options for kids, I loved science kits as a kid x
I love having educational kits and options.
This looks really cool! I’m always looking for fun new ideas for the kids!
We really love it!
How cool is this! My kids would absolutely love this!
It’s a great kit!
Do you know if you can get this set on its own or does it have to be part of the subscription? My niece has asked for it but don’t want to start the subscription.
Thanks
I think it is apart of the subscription, but you can email MEL Science – as they are really understanding!
very cool indeed
Oh, what fun! I loved experiments at school so this looks great.
Oh wow… love these science toys – very cool indeed
It’s looks very interesting! My science looking kids would enjoy this I’m sure.
So cool the girls will love thanks again
my great grandson would have great fun with this
This looks so interesting!
My granddaughter would find this interesting
Cant follow on tiktok because of your privacy settings
My daughter would love this!
Perfect for my science mad daughter
This looks fantastic xx
My daughter lives these types of STEM activities, this looks a lot of fun
This is making learning fun. Great idea.
Great for my grandchildren, but grandma would be useless
Looks really interesting. Think my children would like this
Great for the inquisitive mind.
WOW! Amazing.
My own children absolutely lived all science & learning activities & now my grandchildren have that same excitement to learn! This would be fabulous to win 🌟
Looks really interesting
My grandson loves science and this would be great fun to do together!
This looks really fun a great activity for me and my daughter together
Looks fun and so different and love the idea.
What a lovely prize. My grandson would love this and so would I!
Love doing experiments with the children.
My daughter would love this
love this
Ahh my daughter would just absolutely LOVE this!
I’d love to win this for my two youngest grandsons. They would love it.
awesome
count me in 🙂
the kids would love this
My grand daughter would love this
This looks like a fun but also educational toy.
I love it when science is made fun and exciting for kids as that’s how it should be.
My Grandsons would have great fun with this, I’m sure I would too 🙂
This would be great to win for my nephew.
This would be nice to win for my niece.
I would like to win this for my children. Thanks for the chance.