How to Make Science Fun and Engaging for Kids and Teenagers?

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Advancements in the scientific field are happening at a fast pace. Biological changes, climate changes, introduction of new technology, scientists exploring space and layers of Earth; everything is happening in the 21st century. It took Darwin 26 years to propose his biological theory in the Origins of Species. But, in the 21st century, 26 months of scientific research will be considered a delay in research. So, kids should be a pro in science to succeed in the 21st century. 

Unfortunately, kids and teenagers are not interested in learning science. So, homeschool parents and teachers need to do something to enhance the interest of students in this field. For this, a lot of researchers have recommended hands-on learning or research-based scientific learning.

In this regard, Vassili Philippov along with other scientists and PhD holders introduced the Mel Science project in 2014. What is it? Let's discuss this in this blog.

Introduction to Mel Science

MEL means More Efficient Learning. It is a subscription-based model that aims to make science interesting and fun for kids of age above five. For this, they deliver a kit to your doorstep once a month. This kit focuses on one aspect of science and provides all the information and material you need to perform relevant scientific experiments. Kids with the supervision of parents can experiment to learn science concepts with hands-on learning. This type of learning releases different hormones in a kid's body that help them retain the information in a better way.

All of these kits contain cards that have instructions for experiments. There can be three sets of cards so that students can do three types of experiments with one kit. Along with these cards, there can be a paper too that contains all necessary information about experiments. In the kit, all the instruments you need will be available. It would be sealed in plastic bags so that they remained safe while delivering it to you. This neat packaging gives a premium vibe to the kit. 

These plastic bags may contain the number on them. For example, one plastic bag may contain number 1 on it. It means that the material in it is for the number 1 experiment. On the card, you can see the number 1 too so you know that this kit and card instructions are needed for the first experiment.

These cards also contain QR codes on them. If you scan them, they can take you to the video on the MEL Science app. This video will demonstrate all the instructions so that visual and auditory students can understand and follow the instructions. Here, you need to remember that these kits are not science toys. However, they are lab experiments in which students have to do all those tasks that they will do in their school library. Every kit is designed for a specific age range so if you are gifting it to someone, you should keep the age of the kid in mind.

There are various types of kits available on MEL science. You should know about them before subscribing to anyone.

MEL Chemistry Kit

MEL Chemistry kits are their original and expensive science kits that are aimed at kids aged 10 to 16 plus. When you subscribe to this kit, you will receive a starter package with two experiments in the first month. The starter package contains pretty much everything you need for different chemistry experiments of MEL and your chemistry library. It contains, flasks, gloves, a virtual reality headset, a microscope to go with your mobile, stoppers, beakers, funnels and much more. 

After this starter kit, you will get different themed kits each month that focus on one chemistry topic. It contains all the equipment you need to perform experiments related to the specific Chemistry topic. Your kid can use virtual reality technology in various experiments to explore new things. Cards containing instructions also explain the whole science behind the specific experiment. It may have used specific chemistry vocabulary and concepts that kids can find difficult to understand on their own. So, parents need to supervise them here.

MEL Physics Kit

Just like Chemistry kits, Physics kits also have specific topics and two to four experiments in each one. In the first kit, you will get virtual reality goggles too to use MEL Science Virtual Reality (VR) lessons. These kits are for kids aged 8 to 14. In the beginning, you may feel that these kits contain ordinary STEM experiments but the results and instructions in them are unique and exciting for the kids. These kits contain pretty much everything you need for the experiment. It even includes those products that are difficult to find such as LEDs, batteries, motors and switches. Kits also contain detailed explanations of physics concepts that will help your kid enhance their knowledge.

MEL STEM Kit

This kit is designed for kids aged 5 to 9. These kits contain only one main project that kids have to do. The project can be of chemistry, physics or a blend of both. Because science at the elementary level is general so MEL kids kit is also general. The final product of these kits will move, sail and do any action that will fascinate the kid. The products in the kit are made of wood so they are of high quality. Moreover, kids can paint and decorate their products too in the end. 

The first STEM kit will contain a cartoon map for kids to track their progress. In other kits, students can track their progress through the MEL science app but here they will track it through the map. After the map, kids will get stickers in each month's kit. They have to paste the sticker on the map to track the progress. Moreover, the instructions in this kit are in comic book form with dinosaurs on it. At the end of the comic book, there are some other activities such as counting, games, cutouts and more. They also receive augmented reality cards with each kit.

MEL Med

MEL Med is the new kit in the field that focuses on medical sciences. It is for kids above age 14 and aims to help them in exploring different disciplines of medical science. When you subscribe to this, you will get 16 kits in this plan. One will come each month and will contain various experiments (up to 5). The associated app will contain videos of virtual patients and instructions from real doctors. This kit contains real surgical elements such as fake skin, jaws with teeth, scalpels, stethoscopes and much more. So, parents need to supervise their kids when they are doing experiments.

MEL Science Space Kits

These kits are designed for children ages 8-14 and above. It is designed for those kids who want to explore space in a fun way. These kits contain different experiments related to space such as energy conversion in space and making the rocket. Some kits in it can be complicated so parents should look at them before selecting any. 

How Does MEL Science Work?

You need to subscribe to any kit you want on the website. For example, if you subscribe to Chemistry, you will receive one box containing chemistry experiments each month. You can subscribe to more than one plan too. Moreover, MEL has a “Mix and Match” feature too in which you can get kits of different science concepts. For example, you subscribe for a Mix and Match feature and opt for Chemistry boxes in it. You will get one chemistry box each month. After three to four months, you want a Physics box now. So, you can tell MEL and they will start sending your Physics kit each month.

With monthly kits, you also get access to MEL Science apps. There are different types of apps in MEL and they all are for different students.

MEL Science Apps

MEL Science App: It is for those students who have subscribed to the Chemistry and Physics kit. They can get video guides on this app. It also contains progress tracking, virtual assistance and fun science facts and knowledge features. 

MEL Science STEM: This app recently introduced an Augmented Reality (AR) feature for STEM kids so that they could explore basic science concepts behind their models. They can also send a snapshot of their product to the app to showcase their result. There are animated video guides that will captivate the young kids.

MEL Virtual Reality App: Physics and Chemistry students can use their virtual reality headsets to enjoy VR chemistry or physics lessons in this app.

Conclusion

In short, MEL Science is a subscription-based app that delivers amazing science kits to people in the US. It covers various topics through high-quality products, virtual reality and augmented reality technology. Its apps contain various features that give necessary assistance to parents and students. Almost 3 million kids love these kits. You can find a lot of reviews of YouTubers who are using and loving these kits. So, they are worth trying.

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