MEL Physics is a monthly subscription box for kids 8-14+ who would like to learn more about how the world around them works. Through exciting experiments kids can learn all about electrostatic energy, luminescence, reflections, and even invisibility! Each month contains a new experiment and physics lesson for kids to dive into, and will contain everything they need to safely and easily complete at home.
This month we reviewed the Heat Transfer box from MEL Physics.
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This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
MEL Physics: Heat Transfer
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As an educator and mom, I am always looking for ways to amp up my kids' education. While I feel they are getting a good base at school, I love incorporating science experiments into our weekends to help keep learning fun. The MEL Physics box is a fantastic way of doing that. With amazing themes and great experiments, we are always excited to see this box arrive on our doorstep. That being said, I cannot recommend this box enough!
Not only are the kids excited to receive these kits in the mail, but they love the projects inside. Paired with the app, we couldn't wait to see where this month's theme would take us. Read below to find out what we discovered.
Organized neatly by project, all components are packaged neatly in separate baggies and laid out in an orderly fashion. Hank was excited when he saw this month's supplies, and couldn't wait to dig in.
MEL Physics "Heat Transfer" Projects
Project Booklet
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Included with this month's project is a well-organized instruction booklet. The written instructions are very detailed, and the illustrations are helpful as well. With interesting facts and the science to back them, this booklet was very informative and essential for this month's build.
Heat Trace
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For the first activity, we received a thermochromic screen and straw. Be sure to take care of these supplies because they will be used in all of this month's projects.
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To complete the first project, we caught a glimpse of how a screen works. A thermochromic screen uses color to represent the temperature of any object it touches. Simple to do, we placed our fingers on the screen for 25 seconds and watched the colors appear. Trying it on the top of our hands, we watched the heat spread on the sheet. Buxton even got in on the action! After playing around with it a bit, Hank then used the straw to blow on the screen and see how warm his breath was. In this activity we learned about the range of temperatures the thermochromic screen has, and the correlating colors that are produced. It was very interesting and educational!
Evaporative Cooling
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In this next experiment, we learned all about evaporative cooling. Using the thermochromic screen from the first experiment, we also utilized a paintbrush, silicone cup, tweezers, and absorbent. The supplies are all nice quality and worked very well.
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This evaporative cooling experiment was super cool. First, Hank boiled some water and placed it in a coffee mug. Next, he used the tweezers to place the absorbent in the water for about 3 seconds. After that, he placed the absorbent into the silicone square and placed the thermochromic screen on top. Suddenly, because of the evaporation, the screen starts turning color! To enhance this reaction, he then dipped the paintbrush into the hot water and added it to the top to produce some fun colors! To finish, we were to blow on the top and watch the colors disappear. In this activity, we learned that heating an object accelerates its molecules and increases the object's temperatures. Neat!
Thermal Race
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For our third and final experiment, we received plastic baggies, stickers, two rods, a cardboard holder, the thermochromic screen, tweezers, and a wooden insert. All of the supplies arrived in good working order and completed their tasks as described.
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In this final experiment we learned about heating and cooling objects and which one is faster. The first step in this experiment is to place water in a bag and freeze it for 6-7 hours. We didn't have that kind of time, so we added water and ice cubes and it seemed to work fine. Proceeding to step two, Hank set up his aluminum rod and heat pipe using the included cardboard form. Fitting the wood insert in, he then stuck the thermochromic screen onto the top of the rods. Using the boiling water from the second experiment, he added some to a plastic bag and laid it on the pipes - which one heated up faster? The copper! Once the ice froze, we discovered that the aluminum rod cooled faster! Awesome!
Final Thoughts - Was This Box Worth It?
Yes! The Heat Transfer Physics box featured three really cool experiments, and even shared more with a QR code for the MEL Science app. Hank and I completed these experiments together, and we not only had a good time, but it was also educational! Incorporating reading, physics, and fun all into one, MEL is really enhancing 5th grade! This subscription is a great fit for my family, and a wonderful project for us to experience together, all while learning about science.
I also want to note that there are always additional experiments that you can do online with these boxes if your child is so inclined. I have downloaded the app and have found a ton of extra experiments, awards, AR and VR opportunities, and more! Check it out!
The Cost: Subscriptions start at $29. 90
ACTIVE DEAL: Use code FREEBOX to get your first box free w/new subscription
CODE: FREEBOX
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, this box is still available. From Mel Physics:
"Your first package will arrive within 2 weeks of registration. Subsequent monthly packages will be delivered within 2 weeks of each monthly charge."
What do you think of MEL Physics? Let us know below!
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