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MEL Science Review. We have been subscribers of MEL Science Chemistry for almost two years. Originally signing up when the boys were homeschooling. Looking for something fun to learn rather than the constant stream of worksheets that we were faced with. Charlie enjoyed it so much that we have kept the subscription up. Harry likes to watch his brothers experiments but until now it was far too old for him. So I was delighted to find out that MEL Science is adding to their subscription services with not one but two other options.
What is MEL Science?
MEL Science is a monthly subscription service that delivers science kits through your letterbox. There are three different sets that are designed to appeal to different ages.
- Chemistry Course – Age 10-16 this is the original set and the one which we still subscribe to. There are over fifty experiments to learn about with each kit containing two or three. It also comes with a starter set and VR headset
- Physics Course – Age 8-14 including live lessons there are over twenty different physics sets. Each containing 2-3 experiments.
- STEM – Age 5-9 aimed at a younger audience there are over thirty kits which are also supported with live lessons and the educational platform.
MEL Science STEM Subscription Set Review
I was pleased to see that there is something for the younger ones. Harry is five and a half and so at the end of the age range that the subscription is designed for. Each set includes all of the necessary equipment, tools and components to carry out the activity. Harry was sent the Hydraulic lift experiment to try out.
Inside the box as well as everything you need, you also get a storybook and instruction book. The story is designed to set the scene around solving a problem which the experiment solves. This one was set in the jungle and the need to reach a very special plant.
Harry couldn’t wait to get started. The instructions are in pictorial form so easy for him to follow. He happily moved from one part to the next, needing very little intervention. I think it took him around twenty minutes to build the actual lift. Watching his concentration at each point and listening to him explain to me what he was doing was a very proud moment. I had to remind myself that he is only five years old.
He was very excited when it came to operating the life and watching the water move it up and down.
MEL Science Physics Course Review
Charlie really enjoys science which is why we started the subscription to the Chemistry course all that time ago. In year five at school, he s starting to understand the different types of science. The MEL Science Physics Course complements the Chemistry course. Again you get everything you need to carry out the experiments in the box.
We tried out the Luminescence set which came with three different experiments. Each has its own card and tells you at the top how long the experiments will take. The three experiments in this set were:
- Luminescent ink – 10 minutes
- Liquid nightlight – 15 minutes
- Lissajous curves – 15 minutes
The cards also indicate difficulty and danger level. The danger element is in relation to the component parts. In two of the experiments, we had low difficulty with a third being medium difficultly.
Charlie’s favourite by far was the liquid nightlight and I can see why. It was very striking watching the luminescent liquid change colour in front of your eyes. At nine and a half, he easily followed all the instructions on the little card completing each experiment in turn. Also included in the cards are details about the actual science bit and why things work the way they do.
MEL Science Chemistry Course Review
This is the one for which we have had a subscription since lockdown the first time around. I took it out tentatively to supplement the homeschooling. But Charlie enjoys it so much that we have carried it on. Each month there are new experiments that come through the letterbox. And they are all different covering different themes and topics.
For the purpose of this review, we were sent the first set of experiments and the starter kit. The starter kit comes free when you sign up for a subscription. It contains all the items you may need including a glass beaker, burner stand, safety goggles and much more. The first set was Tin. In this set, you get the chance to grow your own tin tree (10 minutes) and a tin hedgehog (15 minutes).
Both are straightforward and a good introduction to working with different chemicals. I have noticed that as you go through the course they do get more complex. Both of these are really easy so a great starting point. Although Charlie has done these experiments before he still really enjoyed doing them again. The kit comes with extra supplies so you can have another go at making the hedgehogs if you want.
Things we really like about the MEL Science Courses
- They are so much more than a subscription box, the online lessons and VR sessions really make them into an educational platform. They learn so much but they don’t realise they are doing it.
- There is something for all ages groups and I also really like that its possible to switch between the different courses. So should your child’s interests change or if they go through an age bracket and want to try one of the other subscriptions it is easy to do?
- Everything you need is included in either the lesson itself or in the starter kit. And the kit is of good quality.
- Instructions are easy to follow across all of the courses with the boys needing minimal parental intervention. Although we can not help ourselves loving to get involved. The boys really enjoy the one on one time as well.
- On the website, you can see all the different kits so you can get a good idea of the experiments which come with each course.
There really is not anything we don’t like about the courses. Although I would like the ability to buy them individually. If this was possible then I think we would buy some of the physics experiments to supplement Charlie’s Chemistry subscription.
The courses cost £29.90 per month which includes postage. Find out more and sign up over on the MEL Science website.
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37 Responses
Sounds great fun the boys will love
That sounds like really good fun and perfect for my kids. I haven’t heard of this subscription service before. It would also work well as a gift.
My girls love their kits! They are so much fun and they wind up learning some things!
I love these, my granddaughter turned 4 at the weekend and one thing she asked for was science bits, she even got a coat and goggles, definitely something for when she is a little older
I am 100% sold!!! This is such an amazing idea, wow, love it!!! Other than it being educational, it is so much fun…
Such a cool way of getting kids interesting in science and experiments instead of just reading sheets as you say which can be boring. I have bookmarked your page and plan to subscribe to MEL soon.
Sounds like a great program to get the kids involved with. This is so impressive and really exciting too!
It’s great to hear your boys didn’t need much supervision to use this. It’s great to let them try to do things themselves.
This looks like a great subscription plan for kids and teens. I think it’d be awesome so that kids could get into Science and challenge themselves in a fun way.
When children are having fun learning and actually doing something practicle, they learn more and take the information in more I think. What a great idea.
This sounds amazing. My girls love Science and I think that this is something that they’d really be able to pay attention to!
We have this kit at our home! It’s a really great educational tool and so fun for kids too.
This looks amazing, my kids love doing science experiments and would love this. Will look into it for Christmas
Prior to reading this, I had honestly never heard of Mel Science but I am so impressed with what they have created for kids. This truly is a fabulous way to engender genuine interest in learning the sciences, which in turn has to give them an advantage at school. The kits look so professional and your children really look so engaged and obviously really enjoy the experience. I have a niece and nephew that I am now thinking of with respect to this as we head toward Christmas. So glad I read this.
We have some experimenters over here too. 🙂 I like that he wanted to do them again, even though he’s done them before. That’s a true sign that’s it’s a fun way for kids to spend some learning time.
The Mel Science Courses look fascinating
Oh wow this looks so cool! My daughter is mad about science. I’ve not seen these kits before but they look great and something she would be sure to love. Off to investigate further!
Wow! That looks really amazing, This is such a really great review!
It is so amazing to see that they are doing some kind of experiments! I really enjoy reading this post!
Hhhhhmmmmm….this is quite the package of material. I can recommend this to Quincy to buy these, for Quinlan. Thanks for sharing about them.
It’s my first time hearing this subscription. I think it’s best for our kids. This will get creativity out of them. Doing hands-on activities instead of piles of worksheets.
How fab is this! Anything that helps a childs learning especially when it comes to STEM gets a big thumbs up from me xx
I’ve honestly never heard of Mel Science but their STEM program looks amazing! It’s a great way for kids to stretch their minds at a young age. Sharing this with my sister!
This sounds like such a neat program, whether you homeschool or want to provide some additional educational experiences for kids. Those kits look great!
I have heard of MEL science subscription before but didn’t look into it much. But with your review, it looks like it’s worth trying. This will be a great learning opportunity for the kids. especially the youner ones
Experiments are always fun for the kids. The liquid nightlight looks interesting. My kids would love to make one too
This is definitely a great resource for homeschoolers, who don’t do worksheets like in our family. Im always looking for fun, hands-on ways of teaching my kids about science concepts. I love that this kit has everything needed inside so you don’t need to go to different stores. This makes it so much easier, especially when you’re homeschooling and your kids are with you all the time, time is a very valuable resource.
Wow this looks like great fun my kids love doing experiments will have to try this
Fantastic set, this promises so much fun!
Mel science has made physics and chemistry interesting even to the younger ones. When education is made fun for kids, it makes learning easier.
Holy moly, this looks awesome! My kids would love to do something like this. I can’t wait to check this out and have more STEM learning in our house!
This is a great idea, my boys love to do science experiments but I’m sometimes stuck for ideas.
MEL science looks a really fun way to learn at home!
How cool is this, my daughter loves science projects!!
Great to see that Science can be fun, it never was in my schools days. What a good idea
Oh I love this! Definitely one the best subscription services I’ve seen. I’ve always been a fan of Science and would love my kids too as well. Always best learning visually and actively doing something rather than just reading . Will look into this in the future
Great fun – good to get kids excited about science!