Make Science FUN For Your Tweens Too!

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this item, free of charge,from Educational Insights, 
for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it,  all opinions are my own.

Sometimes for tweens, they can feel like they've done all the 'fun' baby experiments for science, especially if they have been homeschooled, and you did a lot (Miss Grace raises her hand here), or if as parents you supplemented their education with them at home.

So when I saw this new line of experiment kit from our friends at Educational Insight, Nancy B's Science Club,  I knew we needed to checked them out!

This line uses real science tools and activity packed journals to introduce varying science concepts in a fun and engaging way to tween girls, ages 8-12!. These products create endless STEM learning opportunities! Here's some background on the line:

Here's a look at some of our favorites from the line:

The Nancy B’s Science Club AquaScope and Underwater Wonders Activity Journal in a unique activity for any young girl by providing 5X magnification to focus closely. Built-in LED lights help illuminate the subject and an attached thermometer can gauge the water temperature…all while not getting wet! 

The Nancy B’s Science Club Mighty Microbes Lab & Germ Journal stimulates an interest in biology while exploring new concepts, including bacteria and fungi and how microbes effect our everyday lives. Features include 4 Petri dishes, 250 mL standing, round-bottomed flask with volume markings, and stopper with hole to fit on top of flask. Meanwhile, the Nancy B’s Science Club Garbage to Gardens Compost Kit & Decomposition Book introduces young learners to life cycles and composting while promoting environmentalism. This fun kit is the only one on the market that is designed just for kids!

As Miss Grace is studying Physics and Chemistry this year, I opted for sampling a kit, whose experiment was included in her science textbook!

The Nancy B’s Science Club Way to Grow Hydroponics Kit and Gardening Diary is a great way to introduce the concept of growing plants without dirt! Stimulate an early love in biology and botany while encouraging natural discovery! Includes 2 seed baskets, 2 flasks with thermometers, 2 trellises with rulers and a 22 page activity journal. 

What we both really liked about the lab book is that it isn't JUST a lab book! There is a lot o education in the first couple of pages, before you even get TO your experiment. Then you get walked through the experiment, with plenty of explanations and pictures, as you can see. Then there is plenty of room to log your observations, testing the science behind the kit. And finally, the book gives you more activities and what else you can control, like green onion bottom- Miss Grace's next experiment!

As you can see the book recommended different types of plants, by categories, that could be grown in water. We selected pumpkin and lettuce. BUT unfortunately even after following the included seed germination procedure, they didn't germinate! (insert "boo, hiss" here). Not quite sure why. But it was a chance for Miss Grace to learn and record what didn't work and move on to the next, which was squash and tomatoes. Two old standbys that I figured would work, as they were brand new packets.

The tomatoes are a little on the slower growth side, but their roots have been VERY quick to go down into the water, so they have actually made for great watching! While their tops haven't gotten up past the pod yet, they've reached for the water level, and Miss Grace has been able to watch what happens as the level decreases, which is part of the experiment from her science book. So it's still a win-win. The squash have been an experiment in frustration. First the cat pulled them out of the container (grrr), then their roots went down into the water, but somehow pulled back up INTO the container pod! Now their all circled around, as you can see. A couple are sending ends toward the holes again, so we're keeping fingers crossed, they'll get back with the program because they are growing SO well! now this is NOT a quick experiment! It took 8 days for the seeds to germinate, then another 7 to get the roots actively going down from the pods. So I'll be updating you as to how they're doinn in the weeks to come.

But for now I can assure you this is a study kit! They're have been no leaks, the water markers are clear to read, and Miss Grace has greatly enjoyed using the kit. If the rest of the kits are like this one, then the kits are well worth the money! Most of the kits run from $20-$40, but considering the items can be reused many times, they are well worth it! And if you sign up for the Educational Insights newsletter, you can get 30% off your first order! You just might want to buy TWO kits instead one 1, with that discount, as hands on learning ALWAYS helps to cement science in kids brains, and making education FUN is always a great thing!

There is an extra activity section online that shoes more videos about the kits and experiments, as well additional experiments you can do with the equipment you have left, to help keep the fun rolling! There's also fun facts to astound friends with, like the one above! (sorta makes you rethink that crawfish dinner don't it?(yes it's CRAWfish Yankees!),  LOL)

We can't recommend these kits enough, so head on over and check them out, and you'll agree!