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Science subscription box


Earthmerlin
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I'd like to get more science done and to this end am in the market for a science subscription box. My daughter's in 3rd grade and I'd like something that's totally hands-on but that also provides decent background information. I'd prefer not to spend more than $40/month. So far, it's between Spangler Science & Groovy Lab in a Box. Any reviews or other considerations? Many thanks.

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We did Spangler Science many, many years ago.  They used some of their own products, some of Wild Goose (?).  The kits were much preferred to Young Scientist Club.  It was still a lot of demo science, but it was more full and better preparation.  We went on to buy some of their specialty kits, like Leprechaun Science.

 

If you go with Spangler, Amazon has a video series called DIY SCI that has Steve Spangler hosting.  It has proven to be another favorite here.

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We did Spangler Science many, many years ago. They used some of their own products, some of Wild Goose (?). The kits were much preferred to Young Scientist Club. It was still a lot of demo science, but it was more full and better preparation. We went on to buy some of their specialty kits, like Leprechaun Science.

 

If you go with Spangler, Amazon has a video series called DIY SCI that has Steve Spangler hosting. It has proven to be another favorite here.

Yes, Spangler seems to be popular. In reading their product description I didn't see much in terms of giving background knowledge. Does it? I liked Groovy Lab because it says each box comes with that plus questions & activities to extend learning.

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Yes, Spangler seems to be popular. In reading their product description I didn't see much in terms of giving background knowledge. Does it? I liked Groovy Lab because it says each box comes with that plus questions & activities to extend learning.

 

It has been a really long time, but I think it does.  We had one kit on polymers.  There was a bit on how polymers work and what they are, and then about 7-10 experiments that showed work in different ways: how they absorb and what practical uses they might have.

 

After we went through about 12 SS kits, I ended up investing in other kits and things.  Science still gets done, but the kits we have now are tailored more to being reusable (Lakeshore Learning tubs) with an organized study or paired with Science of Imagineering dvds.  My kid loves pulling them out because he can work independently, even if he's not in the target range.  They are more expensive at $70 each, but you get a lot more - and I sign up for their emails so I get coupon codes for % off or 'buy 1, get 1 half off' their products.

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The Spangler Stem deluxe box comes with two guides. One for the child that has the procedure step-by-step and questions with space for answers. The other for the adult helping that has explanations for why the experiment/lab works and with the answers to the questions. That's actually what made me choose the deluxe box over the lab box, because the lab one comes with "experiment cards" which didn't sound as thorough. 

 

We did the spangler box for a few months and loved it, but had to pause because we just got too busy around end of summer and didn't get to it for a couple of months in a row. I keep thinking I should get out the boxes we have waiting, but we have a pretty full schedule already including a full science program, so I never actually do that! Maybe when our co-op breaks for the holidays in a few weeks we will replace it with those. 

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Thanks, folks. I ended up ordering Groovy Lab & I'll let you know how it goes. I chose Groovy Lab because their description included a 'go further' section which sounded good. If it doesn't work out, I may change to Spangler. I hope this gets us doing more science at home!

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  • 3 weeks later...

I've done both Groovy lab and the crates.  They are different.  Groovy lab is just science.  The crates are a mixture of art, creativity, and engineering. 

 

My 2 older kids love both.  Although I've only done 1 groovy lab. 

 

I don't know how old your child is, but there is something called Mel Chemistry.  I've never tried it.  I know someone currently has a subscription for her middle schooler.  I can ask how it's going if you want. 

 

Hope this helps. 

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I don't know how old your child is, but there is something called Mel Chemistry.  I've never tried it.  I know someone currently has a subscription for her middle schooler.  I can ask how it's going if you want. 

 

Hope this helps. 

 

Oh, if you could I'd be interested as well!  I had that bookmarked as a possibility in a few years.

 

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Thanks for the additional input. I'd like to hear about Mel Science kits too. My daughter's 8 and I believe Mel Science might be for older kids? Yes, I'd like to keep the kits to mostly science (some enginerring thrown in is OK). So I'll give Groovy some more time & perhaps get 1 Spangler kit to try.

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