MEL Physics is the newest subscription box for kids ages 8-14+ from parent company, MEL Science. Each month you'll receive all of the materials you need to successfully complete physics experiments in the comfort of your home. This is perfect for kids who are interested in science or for homeschool students! Check out our reviews for MEL Chemistry (ages 9- 14+) and MEL Kids (ages 5-10) to see what else MEL Science has to offer!
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About MEL Physics
The Subscription Box: MEL Physics
The Cost: $34.90 per month
ACTIVE DEAL: Use code FREEBOX to get your first box free w/new subscription
CODE: FREEBOX
The Products: Everything you need to conduct physics experiments each month safely in your own home!
Ships to: The US and UK for free. International shipping to select countries is also available, although there may be additional shipping charges depending on location.
MEL Physics "Reflections" Review November 2020
This month our experiments' theme is "Reflections" and the contents were listed on the back of our box along with a note about what we would need to prepare in advance from home. This month we needed to provide two CR2032 coin cell batteries (which I had on hand) and a felt tip pen (which I did not).
I really love how well organized these boxes are! The experiments were labeled 1-3 and the baggies with supplies for each experiment had coordinating numbers on them making everything so easy to locate.
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Inside our box was an instruction sheet that included some general safety rules and information for the supervising adults. I love that they include this sheet so the parent can follow along but still allow the child to work independently.
If you prefer to use technology, you can also download the MEL Physics app and everything you need is there including safety and disposal information. The directions are sometimes animated and they provide scientific descriptions and further educational materials which I definitely recommend checking out!
Experiment 1: Mirror Images in Numbers
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The directions came on a sturdy fold-out card with illustrations and steps that I found easy to follow. Our first experiment was "Mirror Images in Numbers."
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Since this box is all about reflections, they provided two mirrors and one transparent mirror for us to use.
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They also provided a clothespin, an LED light, some stands for the mirrors, and this paper to conduct our experiment with.
1 of 3 | First, I placed the wires of my LED light around the CR2032 battery I had and then secured them with a clothespin.
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I continued to move the mirrors to different locations and observe the way the reflections changed. I haven't shown my kids yet, but I know they will think it's pretty magical!
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Then I swapped out one of the mirrors with the transparent mirror and turned the lights out for a different effect!
Experiment 2: One-way Mirror
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Our second experiment was entitled, "One-way Mirror."
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For this experiment, they provided some cat stickers, a small rectangular mirror, and this box for us to fold up.
1 of 5 | First I creased the box.
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I added the light to the holes and depending on which hole I used, we could see either the bad guy cat or the good guy!
Experiment 3: Infinity Tunnel
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Our last experiment was "Infinity Tunnel." While the first two experiments were cool and gave us a good bit of educational information about reflections and mirrors, I feel like those were just a build-up to this last experiment.
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For this experiment, we received some rubberbands and adhesive squares, some wooden pieces to connect, and this LED strip with a battery compartment attached.
1 of 5 | I assembled the wooden pieces by fitting them together.
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I secured the mirror to one side by slipping the tabs under the rubber bands that were already there and then I turned it on and checked it out in the mirror. It was a really cool effect being able to see the reflections in the mirror.
The last step was to add the transparent mirror to the opposite side.
Now I had my own little handheld infinity portal. How cool!
Bonus Experiment: Anamorphic Mirror
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We also received this QR code along with a candle and some yarn so that we could perform a bonus experiment.
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After scanning the code, I was taken to this experiment entitled "Anamorphic Mirror" and a few different ways we could test this little mirror out using images, videos, and photos. This is a pretty cool bonus!
Verdict: This MEL Physics box was pretty cool! I enjoyed that this was a bit more of an assembly style experiment where we had to put the pieces together and I liked the way the experiments seem to increase in complexity and the depth of the reflection concept. It was a really neat way to explore mirrors and light. I know my kids will think it's cool and I think it's fun that we have a handheld infinity mirror. I also thought it was great that they included a bonus experiment for a little more exploration. As a parent, I appreciated how well organized the box was and the fact that I only had to provide some batteries (although it would have been nice if they were already included, of course!). I think it was both engaging and educational as well as a convenient way to explore physics at home!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, it is possible that you will receive this set. From MEL Physics:
"The topics are looped such that the start date of your subscription does not matter; you will eventually receive all the experiment sets."
ACTIVE DEAL: Use code FREEBOX to get your first box free w/new subscription
CODE: FREEBOX
Check out our list of the best subscription boxes for kids, as recommended by MSA readers!
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