MEL Science is a monthly subscription box for kids ages 5+ who would like to learn more about science and STEM concepts in an exciting way. There are four tracks to chose from with varying recommended age ranges:
- STEM (ages 5 - 10+)
- Physics (ages 8 - 14+)
- Chemistry (ages 10 - 16+)
- Medicine (ages 14 - 99+)
Through hands-on kits, kids can learn about topics such as aircraft, light, hydraulics, and earthquakes, while experiencing real-life applications. Each month contains a new experiment and STEM lesson for kids to dive into, and will contain everything they need to safely and easily complete at home. MEL Science costs $39.90/month; $29.90 per month with an annual subscription.
This month we received the "Hydraulic Lift" box from MEL STEM, which is for ages 5+.
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 Science: Hydraulic Lift
This STEM box includes a science journey through physics. Complete with all the necessary supplies to create our very own hydraulic lift, it also comes with a ton of awesome information presented in a super fun way! Charlie couldn't wait to dive in!
Mystery Planet Map
To kick off this month's box, we received a folded-up "mystery planet map." This colorful poster is printed on thick paper and has spots to place stickers after completing different kits. It also features a hide-and-seek game, which Charlie loved. As a fun little addition, Charlie taped it to his bedroom door because he enjoyed the fun cartoon illustrations and the overall presentation.
Science Journey Booklet
The next item we received was a small comic book featuring some of the MEL characters. This month, we met Newt and Kyle. This box is geared toward kids ages 5–10, and Charlie is 10. While he's at the top of the age range, he loved the comic, was happy to read and understand it on his own, and enjoyed learning about physics and rocket science in an engaging way!
Hydraulic Lift Kit
Hydraulic Lift Booklet
Now, to start the actual activity, we were first greeted with another booklet. This one was titled Hydraulic Lift as it ties into the STEM project. Featuring a list of all included components, a themed comic, and detailed instructions, it was an absolute necessity for completing the box. The directions included fabulous illustrations and were structured similarly to LEGO instructions, which Charlie is very familiar with. With science theories and real-world applications included, this really resonated with Charlie, and he had no problem completing it on his own.
Hydraulic Lift Supplies
This STEM kit included all the necessary supplies to create our very own hydraulic lift, except for water, which was easy enough to provide ourselves. All the components were neatly packaged in their own bags and were of high quality. The parts fit together easily, and it was organized very well. Perfect for my 10-year-old son to complete on his own, MEL Science did a great job putting this kit together!
Hydraulic Lift Build
School has been pretty wild lately and I have been spending many hours in my room after the final bell rings just catching up or waiting for baseball practice to start. Because of this, Hank and Charlie also have to be in my room, and they get easily bored. To keep them from wasting time on an iPad, we brought this kit to work on while we waited. Charlie was completely able to do this project by himself, and did a great job following the directions. The pieces went together easily, and the directions were spot on. Not only was he proud of his accomplishment, but he actually loved the final product!
As you can see, the liquid transmits pressure through the syringe to create the hydraulics, and Charlie’s little lift moved smoothly up and down when he pushed and pulled the syringe. He learned a ton about the uses of hydraulics in everyday life and had a great time building this! I'll be honest—sometimes these kits get set aside once completed and forgotten, but this one made its way to Charlie's room, where he has conducted dozens of experiments with the lift and his Hot Wheels cars. It's been really fun to watch!
Final Thoughts - Was This Box Worth It?
Absolutely! The Hydraulic Lift box was definitely a theme my son was interested in, and he had an absolute blast building it. As I mentioned above, this box is geared toward kids ages 5–10, and Charlie was able to build it by himself. I would expect younger kids to need adult assistance, but for us, it was a great way to let Charlie take the reins and create on his own!
To Wrap Up:
The Cost: $39.90 per month, $29.90 per month with an annual subscription.
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, this box is still available. From MEL Science:
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 Science? Let us know below!
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