MEL VR Science Simulations is a growing series of science simulations, lessons, and labs covering chemistry and physics. Find that different carbon atoms always contain 6 protons but can contain a different number of neutrons in the nucleus. The experiments are actually much more interesting than what was in the old-fashioned kits I played with as a kid. This is usually because asking them to grasp atomic structures, bonds, gas laws and their interactions from diagrams and abstract models can be a tall order. Zoom inside a helium balloon and see that helium gas consists of atoms that are flying. All the experiments are designed for home use. They lend a greater sense of professionalism and can give kids and teens the feeling that they are doing actual science and not just playing with a toy or being condescended to, and they can be easily reused with other chemistry lesson plans and experiment ideas that parents might find or come up with later on. Experiments are fun, but not terribly complicated. For one thing, Mel Chemistry delivers a lot of content for your money. Each set contains the chemicals and additional equipment to complete the experiment. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It covers a wider scope of chemistry subjects and goes a lot deeper in its science explanations, offering various points of discussion and ideas for further exploration of concepts. The ingredients are neatly packaged in plastic bottles. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. So many kids just dont pay any attention to the sciences these days and would rather just veg out and play mindless games on the iPad. We were really impressed with the quality of the equipment. We were also able to do further reading and research on the app which was an unexpected bonus. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Although not particularly cheap, Mel Chemistry does offer a lot of content and lab equipment, as well as access to apps like its innovative interactive VR chemistry lessons. Each kit came with enough material to do (and repeat) several experiements on that topic. Mel Chemistry sets include pretty much everything a homeschool needs to get started doing lab experiments at home, including relevant materials, experiment instructions and an educational component and discussion. Experience a new level of understanding in VR with MEL Science. A MEL Chemistry subscription delivers massive value, with real experiments that are great fun and high on educational value. VR mode can be selected in the options menu; Anglo House Bell Lane Office Village, Bell Lane, Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom, HP6 6FA. If a parent has a child who has a precocious interest in science this can help them introduce more complex topics potentially a lot earlier than they would otherwise be able to, which makes it a great enrichment tool. We really liked the inclusion of a Google Cardboard type VR goggle in the kit. But despite being classic, Mel Science has clearly chosen experiments that yield attention-grabbing and sometimes quite spectacular results. The app did a pretty good job explaining the science behind this. You will enter the MEL Virtual Laboratory, where you will zoom in on such seemingly simple objects like a pencil or a balloon, fly between molecules and atoms, and understand the differences between solids and gaseous substances at a molecular level! Compared to other STEM boxes, such as Groovy Lab in a Box, Mel Science kits tend to be a little more expensive. Instead of shipping out a full powered microscope as part of its chemistry starter kit, Mel Science sends kids a macro lens attachment for smartphones instead. This section offers a fairly detailed explanation of the science behind each experiment. Or, more plainly speaking, roughly between 11% and 25% off, which is nice. Mel Science offers 27 amazing chemistry sets so youre good to go for over 2 years. Mel Chemistry kits are designed for two people and are really for parents and students to set up experiments and learn together, with instructions and topics of discussions written for and directed at parents and students to use together. Founded in 2014, Mel Science is a STEM subscription box service for kids ages 8+ in physics and chemistry. Whitehills Business Park It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The free starter kit (a $50 value) contains equipment you will need for the duration of your membership. Many topics in Chemistry, particularly molecular chemistry, are typically often only superficially discussed with younger kids. It will take you inside a diamond and graphite. While there are many chemistry kits out there very few can balance excitement, education, interactivity and safety in the way that Mel Chemistry does. From an educational standpoint, we actually have mixed opinions about this. VAT Reg No: GB249246780 Read the summaries of what reviewers think about MEL Science below. Yes, like all Mel Science kits, Mel Chemistry is a secular educational resource and can be easily integrated into secular homeschooling. There are over 30 lessons in chemistry that align with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in chemistry, and the lessons actually dive into pretty good detail and depth when it comes to learning. See how the electron configuration diagram works whilst adding electrons to the nucleus, one by one. The MEL app shows all the relevant molecules in various graphical representations, viewable using the VR goggles provided. We think its nice that Mel Science sends high quality equipment in their kits instead of a cheaper version. An experiment in electrolysis, when the circuit is complete electrons begin to flow from the negative electrode to the positive. Each monthly kit contains 2-3 science experiments with enough materials to try it twice. If the experiment doesnt work as planned, there is an immediate link to an FAQ, which handily covers some common mistakes people make and more often than not can really help get things back on track. The company overall does a good job of sending out everything youll need to conduct chemistry experiments, with enough duplicates so that parents and students can work together at the same time safely. It is not likely stimulating enough for most high school level chemistry. Mel Chemistry also offers follow up questions (under Follow Up) and a variety of related facts (under Thats Interesting) that really dive into associated concepts and can be a good jumping off point for further exploration and experiments. At the end of the day, Mel Chemistry is not the cheapest STEM kit out there by any means. That said, with proper adult supervision these experiments can be done by younger kids at home and the in-depth explanations are fairly clear and, with help from parents, can help them get their heads around some pretty advanced concepts. The future of education is already here, download the MEL VR Science simulations application right now! In this case our student and tester worked mainly with the physical cards using the app as more a supplement and enrichment tool. Each activity also comes with its own instruction and information sheet. The experiments are well organized, easy to set up and complete. Instead, these are variations on various chemistry classics you might find at a high school or even early college level chem class. The lab equipment that Mel Chemistry sends helpfully comes in their own separate, protective box. They provided everything we needed except for some water and matches. Language options available. Even though it is designed for older kids and teens, we feel adult supervision is definitely required and Mel Chemistry, like other chemistry sets out there, is not something you can really leave for individual learning. The Mel Chemistry starter pack also includes a Virtual Reality headset. The first experiment we ran was the Tin Hedgehog experiment. The descriptions, while age appropriate, arent dumbed down and can get pretty in depth in terms of the chemistry, which is great and makes them a good supplement if you want to integrate them into a chemistry lesson plan. Macro lenses also dont have as much power in terms of magnification as a standard microscope, which limits how closely kids can look at certain materials and their structures/features. The Smarter Learning Guide is reader-supported. As part of the physical subscription, parents and students also have access to the companys suite of VR chemistry lessons, something well discuss later in this review, and this VR set lets you use them if you dont have virtual reality goggles of your own, which is cool. Immersed in virtual reality, nothing distracts from study. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of all the cookies. We were very impressed with the quality of the kit. Assemble your own sodium atom with the given number of protons and the given atomic mass. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Made to fit right into the school curriculum, virtual reality turns studying into an interactive and immersive experience, making learning entertaining. The Smarter Learning Guide should be used for general educational and informational purposes only. All content is also available to view in 2D. Finally, there is a little section for parents outlining what the final result of the experiment is supposed to be. Recognizing that not every household has beakers and test tubes lying around, the first Mel Chemistry shipment comes with a starter kit that contains the essential lab gear needed to support the coming experiments. Plus, its delivered right to your doorstep. Some parents want to encourage their children to explore certain subjects on their own, with minimal supervision or parental involvement. They make sure that you understand the underlying science. This starter kit and first set of experiments from MEL Chemistry were so impressive, Everything felt very official and scientific and the apps to support our learning are pretty amazing. These lessons are interactive 3D explorations of various topics in chemistry that supplement the hands-on lab learning with more structured, interactive lessons and virtual activities based largely around molecular chemistry (atoms, electronics, various bonds, the elements and their isotopes, gasses and such). They do this by either giving each hands-on chemistry set a theme designed to spark their curiosity and imagination (basing them around Alechemy or Spycraft, for example) or by selecting experiments designed to create a sense of excitement through flames, rapid color changes and more. Inside the VR app is a virtual chemistry lab where kids can explore a variety of K-12 topics in molecular chemistry, such as atoms in solids & gases, electron orbitals, isotopes, the periodic table, molecules, gas laws and more. The experiments are well organized, easy to set up and complete. Short 5-minute VR lessons, interactive labs, and simulations are an excellent way to understand complex chemical and physical concepts through engaging visualizations. Alchemy, Detective work, and more, Isnt particularly cheap compared to other STEM boxes, Experiments are classics, but not too cutting edge, Not a set and forget independent learning activity requires parental supervision, Learning Language Arts Through Literature, Hooked on Phonics Learn & Read vs ABCmouse. The last thing you want, after all, is to prepare a lesson plan for the day and then have to delay it by a couple hours for prep time. Discover what the internet is saying about MEL Science. Here the apps instant FAQ troubleshooting was quite helpful as the experiment wont work if the set ups polarity isnt correct. Every subscription comes with 2-6 experiments a month, a supply kit that contains everything you need, detailed safety information, virtual reality goggles, and an app that offers instruction and VR videos. When we tried the kit over the summer we thought it could do with some improvements and better usability. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Even if the experiments are selected to be safe enough for home use, they can and do include real chemicals, acids, combustibles and glass objects. In addition to an experiment box, in their first month subscribers also receive a Starter pack, which contains the necessary lab and safety gear and ultimately forms the core of the students Mel Chemistry lab. MEL VR Science simulations also has lessons, labs, and simulations covering isotopes, electrons, ions, the periodic table, molecular formulas, isomers, electrostatics and much more. Further, these are real chemistry sets. As a result tin ions in the solution accept the electrons from the current and form tin metal, which snakes along towards the other clip. MEL Science have a comprehensive online guide for each experiment including instructions, videos and scientific descriptions. In fact, because Mel Chemistrys VR lab often feels a lot like a video game in the way it lets kids get more hands-on experience building and analyzing elements and molecules, we believe it can be a lot more entertaining and engaging than the usual ball-and-stick models chemistry sets come with. Essentially a classic redox reaction, zinc is a more reactive metal and in tin chloride it begins to donate its electrons, which frees the tin metal which then collects on the zinc pellet in the form of little spikes. This is invaluable, dont you think? Our testers received other kits from Mel Chemistry, some of which we list below to give parents a better idea of what to expect. Develop a deeper understanding of chemistry by actually observing molecules from the inside. Mel Chemistry is a subscription chemistry kit. Mel Chemistry can be an excellent solution for parents interested in giving their elementary and middle school aged kids a bit of exposure to chemistry. Every month thereafter subscribers then receive a new box that contains 2-3 experiments that they can conduct, covering different areas and topics in chemistry. The experiment cards even explained the phenomena and chemistry behind the experiments. Beyond the assistant, the Mel Science app also includes a section called Scientific Descriptions. They are safe enough to do at home but clear and detailed enough so that elementary and middle school kids can get a lot of learning out of it, which is nice. The personal experiment assistant also gives parents instructions on how to set up and conduct the experiment in question, which is helpful if your chemistry lab skills are a little rusty, and actually gives little animated gif-type diagrams that show you how to do things and in what order, rather than just relying on written instructions. For example, depending on the experiments in question, a box might include: Designed to work alongside the experiment sets, the Mel Personal Experiment Assistant is part of the downloadable Mel Science app. We really think a science (and in this case proper chemistry) subscription service is a brilliant idea. MEL Science comes with enough supplies to repeat the experiment 2-3 times, great for sharing or repeating. The VR headset included is made of covered cardboard and its design is, in fact, very much like Google Cardboard. MEL Chemistry isnt cheap 29.95 for the starter kit, and 9.95 for each of the thrice-monthly kits. The kit included gloves for us to use and we were able to transfer all of our chemicals safely. If you have struggled with doing science with your 9 to 14 year olds, check out MEL Science. While Mel Chemistry is very good at hands-on chem work, exploring models and representations, as well as general chemistry knowledge, very advanced students looking for more relevant challenges may need to find a solution that can dive far deeper into and get experience in: Note: Prices correct as of writing and all prices are in USD. Safety instructions come in both written and illustrated format. But if youre looking for a hands on and engaging way to teach your elementary or middle school student some pretty in depth chemistry, it can be very much worth the price. The overall idea is to intrigue kids and get them interested in chemistry with new kits delivered each month that contain things that ignite, produce interesting colors, grow, glow or even replicate something in real life that kids think is cool, spycraft or detective work. Read more. Additionally everything about Mel Chemistry sets, from the Pyrex materials to the actual experiment materials to the look and feel of the instructional apps and software, are very high quality and well designed and made. Further, by attaching to a mobile device, kids and parents can use it at the same time and also take videos or pictures to either keep for themselves or to use in future lesson plans. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. If I were to make a suggestion it would be allow customers the opportunity to purchase the kits individually. When you click on links to buy products we might earn money to support our work. David Belenky is a freelance writer, former science and math tutor and a tech enthusiast. This changes all of that, and I couldnt be happier. It comes well packaged to store the equipment when not in use. I get to use a lot of products and subscription programs and this program is one of the best I have used. And if parents really do want to introduce microscopy into their lesson plans, they can be easily purchased on Amazon and added to the learning plan. Instead of peering into a microscope and needing to adjust it, kids can simply point the phone and look at their screen and even take screenshots for themselves. This gives Mel Chemistry a much more professional, educational feel compared to other kits out there, which can often feel more like entertainment or even a toy set. As part of their Mel Chemistry subscription, subscribers also get access to Mel Sciences Chemistry Virtual Reality lessons for free (these typically cost $9.95 or so each). You are unable to purchase replacement chemicals for the kits. MEL Science include all the supplies needed to conduct these Chemistry experiments. It was mainly a matter of pouring the contents of one bottle into another, shaking it, filling a container around halfway before inserting a zinc pellet and waiting. You wont be disappointed. On top of receiving real life lab gear and a VR set, each month students receive a box with 2-3 really cool and engaging experiments to conduct, as well as ideas for further learning, access to a digital app and the possibility of VR classes that can take learning into a much more high tech and interactive space. These lessons are available in a separate downloadable Mel Chemistry app and work with the included VR headset, or pretty much any other VR headset that you might have, like Oculus or Google Cardboard. Pyrex is pretty much standard in most labs and stands up to heat and cracking far better than cheaper, soda lime glass. These cookies do not store any personal information. Although not the cheapest option out there, with its interesting and exciting experiments, rich instructional material, helpful digital apps and innovative VR learning environment, Mel Chemistry sets can go a long way in teaching chemistry in an effective and captivating way. MEL Chemistry is a monthly ARpowered STEM subscription box from MEL Science intended for kids ages 9-14. That said, older students looking for chemistry enrichment, such as a talented and advanced grade 10 or 11 student looking to explore AP chemistry or even early college level chemistry topics, may need to look elsewhere. This box contained two experiments to be conducted: The Tin Hedgehog and Tin Dendrites. Once again, our testers had to create a tin chloride solution, which they used to fill a petri dish. Build atoms and molecules, dive into substances, explore an interactive periodic table and more. See the highlights below and decide for yourself! On the one hand it makes exploring the world of science a lot easier, convenient and more portable than using a microscope, which often needs adjustment and can be a bit tricky with kids especially if they have glasses. This is one of the most exciting and ambitious home-chemistry educational projects Ive seen, and I suspect it will be a better, more enduring investment than anything youre likely to find in a brightly coloured box on the shop shelves. See electrons being added to an atom one by one and learn the names of the orbitals. The way it works is you insert your smart phone into the device and it converts it into a VR set. We downloaded the MEL Science app and were excited to find a new tool for conducting further research beyond the experiements themselves. Average lesson time is between 3-7 minutes long and is easily combined with classic lesson time. The company has also recently expanded into the world of virtual reality, providing over 70 interactive VR lessons in physics and chemistry. After all these arent designed to stock a real lab. The kits were all marked with warning labels and safety instructions which pleased the boys immensely. By using Smarterlearninguide.com you agree to our Cookie Policy, Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. While there are many chemistry kits out there, very few can balance excitement, education, interactivity and safety in the way that Mel Chemistry does. The kids wont get bored doing the same thing over and over again. Each kit came with enough material to do (and repeat) several experiements on that topic. Assemble your own carbon atom with the given number of protons, neutrons, and work out how many electrons to add yourself. And, while it is a subscription plan and will auto renew at the end of your subscription, unlike most other subscription boxes Mel Science wont simply rebill you for the whole period if you forget to cancel. Without a proper review or explanation this can be a little confusing for kids. Aimed at ages 10-16, the experiments Mel Chemistry offers are classics and, combined with the descriptions and explanations provided in the apps, the learning that kids get out of it can actually get pretty advanced and can serve as good enrichment, especially at the younger part of the age range. If you are more interested in letting your kids explore the world of chemistry on their own, or if you prefer not to use this kind of stuff in your house, we would recommend you consider an online chemistry lab, like Labster.com, or one of the many chemistry simulation apps out there. They then had to hook the petri dish up to a battery pack with a couple of wires and leads that they clipped to either side of the dish. Mel Chemistry is the companys subscription box for chemistry and provides kids with exciting, hands-on lab experiments that they can conduct at home, as well as a variety of in-depth learning material to help better integrate it into their learning. Enquire now for information and pricing on RedboxVR products and solutions. Terms & Conditions, How to use the RedboxVR Classroom Viewers. The software comes preinstalled on all devices in our classroom VR/AR kits. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Using a macro lens also reduces the cost of Mel Chemistry quite a bit and prevents them from having to send out a cheap, badly made microscope as so many other kits do. It is difficult to retain the attention of children with formulas and boring textbooks. The MEL Science website explains the science behind the experiments, including further interesting facts and context. Control the whole class in just a few clicks on your tablet or phone with special teachers mode. Seeing and manipulating representations of abstract concepts can help make them a lot more concrete, and we feel it can be really beneficial for younger kids as it lets parents introduce more advanced things like molecular chemistry into their lesson plans with a lot less confusion. The Mel Chemistry set is officially recommended for kids ages 10-16. The Smarter Learning Guide is reader-supported. Spark their inner Bill Nye with new chemistry experiments every month. Overall, we tend to agree with this age range. With very rare exception, MEL Science kits come with everything your child needs, including safety wear. Using them on their own for learning might be a little tricky, however, as they can touch on concepts and use chemistry terminology with the assumption of previous knowledge on the part of students. MEL Science has an absolutely fantastic app that accompanies the experiments. These are designed to bring the sometimes abstract ideas of chemistry to life by letting students interact with molecules on their screen, turn them, rotate them, build them and even fly through them. There are basically two components to the subscription. If you are buying from Canada and would prefer your kit with French instructions, that option is available. Every month for as long as they are subscribed to the program, kids and parents receive a box themed around a particular concept or theme that contains 2-3 experiments that kids can conduct with parental supervision. The chemical bottles containing the reagents, and other items are placed inside resealable bags. There are more than enough supplies to repeat these experiments. This means that when you receive your kit, you can simply charge up and use. Although theyre fairly small and compact, at 100 and 150 ml respectively, theyre more than fine for the individual experiments that Mel will send. Further, the depth of learning is quite good, professional and varied and lends itself to be easily integrated as a practical and enriching lab component to pretty much any elementary and middle school science lesson plan. When hes not writing about educational tech, he likes to chill out with his family and dog at home. Is there anything dangerous about Mel Chemistry? The experiments are actually much more interesting. The box contained nice, glossy cardboard instruction cards that did a pretty good job detailing everything we needed to do step by step in text as well as in a series of IKEA-like graphic instructions and made everything quite clear. Inside the box was everything we needed to conduct the experiments safely, including protective gloves, materials and solutions, instructions, wires, petri dishes and even a paper clip. 9 month plans offering 1 month free, and 12 month plans offering 3 months free. Instead it shifts back to a month to month basis, which is somewhat more considerate from a customer service point of view. MEL Science comes with a free mobile app. Your first shipment will include a free starter kit (valued at $50) in addition to your first set of experiments. Download the app today to explore the full range of interactive VR lessons! After all, what kid doesnt like things that burn, glow, change colors or even become invisible? See that when an electron becomes a part of the atom, it is spread around the nucleus like a cloud, and you will see the shape of S and P orbitals. It provides various educational material and helps guide students and parents through setting up and conducting the experiments at home. The interactive elements of the VR experience are also quite good and well made, and the practical activities give kids a little more freedom to play around and learn things on their own. The Smarter Learning Guide is dedicated to researching, reviewing and finding the best educational products and services and presenting them to you in an easy-to-understand way. In terms of scope, some chemistry topics we found that were touched upon include: With a subscription to Mel Chemistry, students and parents can access a suite of Virtual Reality chemistry lessons for free. There is a good range of experiments, with 38 different ones, your child is sure to learn a lot of chemistry.