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 "Science of Light" 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: Science of Light
This STEM box includes a science journey through physics. Complete with all the necessary supplies to create our very polarizing screen, it also comes with a ton of awesome information presented in a super fun way! Charlie couldn't wait to dive in!
Science of Light Kit
Science of Light Booklet
To start the actual activity, we were first greeted with a booklet titled "Science of Light." This booklet features a list of all the included components, a themed comic, and detailed instructions for this month's project. The directions included fantastic 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.
Supplies
This STEM kit included all the necessary supplies to create our very own polarizing screen, except for scissors, which were 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 everything was very well organized. Perfect for my 10-year-old son to complete on his own, MEL Science did a great job putting this kit together!
Polarizing Screen Build
Before starting the build, Charlie went through the Science of Light booklet and read the instructions. This helped him organize his components, grab scissors from the kitchen, and learn about polarizers in everyday life.
After reading, Charlie got straight to work. Following the directions from start to finish, he was able to complete the project entirely on his own. He had no questions along the way and did a great job. The pieces fit together perfectly, and while he didn’t finish coloring the cover, he was happy with how smoothly the process went.
The independence Charlie showed while doing this project was a proud mama moment. This box is geared toward kiddos ages 5-10, and while Charlie just turned 10, I was happy to see how he flourished in completing it on his own. The confidence he gained was heartwarming, and the overall results of the light polarizer were really fun! As you can see, when you turn the cog, his tape design shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow. Not only did this project use sunlight, but he also got to try it out with a computer screen, the sky, and even a puddle of water for different results! Cool!
Final Thoughts - Was This Box Worth It?
Absolutely! The Science of Light kit was a theme my son was interested in, and he had a lot of fun building it. While he really enjoyed learning about the science aspect, he had the most fun with the building. As I mentioned above, the confidence he gained by completing this 100% on his own was really fun to see, and he’s already asking when the next box will come! 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!
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.