MEL Chemistry is a subscription box for kids ages 10-16+ from parent company MEL Science that sends all of the materials you need to complete 2-3 chemistry experiments every month. This is perfect for kids who are interested in science or for homeschool students!
This is a review of MEL Chemistry (for ages 10-16+), which costs $34.90 per month.
ACTIVE DEAL: Use code FREEBOX to get your first box free w/new subscription
CODE: BOGO
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.)
Check out our reviews for MEL Physics (ages 8- 14+) and MEL Kids (ages 5-9+) to see what else MEL Science has to offer!
First Impressions
As usual, everything was packaged up so neatly and carefully making it easy to locate all the materials we needed for each experiment.
Starter Kit & More
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Before we get into this month's box, I want to quickly highlight a few of the extra features that we have access to. Firstly, your free starter kit (valued at $50.00) will come in your first shipment. It includes all of the equipment you'll need to conduct your experiments each month and even includes some accessories for your tablet or smartphone to help you access all of the information they provide in their apps. To see more details about everything we received in our kit, you can check out our Starter Kit review here!
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Also included with our Starter Kit was this virtual reality headset. This cardboard headset folds up easily and then you slip your phone into the slot and use their free MEL VR app. The VR app opens up in a lab where we have the opportunity to learn about different molecules and atoms and explore them closely. This is so great for gaining a deeper understanding of what happens throughout our experiments and is a fun extension of our lessons!
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While they provide individual cards for each experiment, we also have the option of accessing the directions through the app, which provides a more interactive way to complete the experiments. Here is a look at how the app is set up. It's well organized and easy to use with information on safe disposal, some troubleshooting tips, and a scientific description of what happens during the experiment. You can even set a reminder to start the experiment.
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The app gives so much detail about each of the reagents including a description, hazards, precautions, and even a link to the Wikipedia page for further information. So thorough! And it's even more fun if you interact through the VR app! Now let's get to this month's box!
What's Inside the Box
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The outside of our box has information all about our reagents, a table of contents, and several safety warnings.
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While we needed to grab a few things from our starter kit, they provided the reagents, some measuring spoons, thermal stickers, gloves, wooden sticks, plastic vials, and a syringe.
Experiment 1: Glowing Minerals
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Our first experiment was "Glowing Minerals" and we were using solid fuel, fluorite, and marble. They provided some foil sheets for us too.
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The first step was to add one piece of foil to the base of our pocket stove and add some solid fuel. Then we put the top on and added a scoop of fluorite and a scoop of marble to another piece of fuel. Then it was time to turn out the lights and light our solid fuel on fire!
How cool are these glowing minerals?
Experiment 2: Chemical Nebulae
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The next experiment was "Chemical Nebulae" and we needed hydrogen peroxide, sodium carbonate, Eosin, Phenol Red, luminol, and potassium hexacyanoferrate.
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First, we mixed up a solution of hydrogen peroxide, water, luminol, and sodium carbonate. Next, I split it between the three vials before adding the Eosin Y to one vial and the Phenol Red to another.
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Then it was time to turn out the lights and add some of our potassium hexacyanoferrate. Look how they glow!
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I added some dye to the leftover mixture in the beaker and then we watched that glow, too!
Value - Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $34.90 per month
ACTIVE DEAL: Use code FREEBOX to get your first box free w/new subscription
CODE: BOGO
This month's experiments were really cool and definitely impressed my kids! I like that there are a lot of different ways to extend the learning through the VR app and I think it's awesome that they've found a way to allow kids to do chemistry safely in their own homes. I think that as a homeschool course or supplemental chemistry lesson, this box has a lot to offer! I have no idea what it would cost to get most of these chemicals and reagents, or how difficult it would be, so I think that having them shipped to us in portions that we need them definitely holds some value, too!
Key Takeaways
MEL Chemistry provides everything that we need to perform our experiments safely and effectively. The boxes are well organized with enough materials to perform each experiment at least two times and they make sure to explain the science behind it. What a fun way to explore chemistry!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add MEL Chemistry to your subscription list or wishlist!
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 Chemistry:
"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: BOGO
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