Customer Reviews

Thames & Kosmos Physics Discovery

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The parts in the box make this set look like it would be fun if you could figure out what the instructions mean. The book that comes with the set is written in English and yet the instructions consists solely of microscopic pictures that lack essential information such as how to attach the elastic string to whatever you are supposed to attach it to. So far, two of us have managed to make only one of the described projects work despite a couple of very frustrating hours with the instructions and a magnifying glass.

I have a degree in physics and I struggled kelping my kids with this kit. It's a great kit from a physics education standpoint BUT there are some ridiculous inconsistencies. Most of the parts are durable plastic, but then there are some paper parts that are impossible to assemble as directed. The paper propeller required for the first experiment? Forget it. Instructions are poor for a design that will not work. I tossed that and adopted a plastic propeller from our K'NEX kit. Not optimal, but better than that stupid paper one. The instructions for the machine assembly are minimal at best. If you buy this kit, be prepared to wing it. And assemble it ahead of time so you know how to do it before you work with the kids.

I find that this so called "physics" kit is nothing more than a bunch of rip-off pieces that look exactly like over-sized legos, with ridiculously small instructions. I had to do some of the experiments in this as a grade in school, and as a twelve year old who has played with legos all my life, I still had trouble building these projects. To say that it is challenging is a huge understatement-I spent 3 hours on the wind-up car pictured on the cover, yet it still didn't work. The majority of this time was spent trying to interpret the directions (which were as helpful as having none). I could have probably built the car better if I had built it according to the picture. And to top it off, it had a pitiful two paragraphs on potential energy, which barely even skimmed the surface. ANYONE could have told you the information stated in the booklet. My advice: If you're looking for a kit for your child that is educational and fun, this is not it.

I like the Thames and Kosmos products in general and have ordered several. They provide a sequence of experiments that focus on teaching key concepts in their areas. The experiments are written in a small booklet with not just information on the experiment, but with background on the field in which the experiment occurs.

So for example in this kit there are sequences on exploring using a balloon for propulsion, which builds from a balloon filled with air let free in the air, to other related experiments such as balloon filled with water let free in a tub of water, air in water, water in air. Then it proceeds to attaching the balloon to a small racing car.

While the kit is labeled for certain age groups, the first time the children do the experiments, it has always been necessary for me with these Thames and Kozmos kits (an adult) to do it with them. This means reading the book for them, and keeping them on track, working through the experiments, and talking through the concepts. If the kids were to be handed the kit to navigate on their own, they would go nowhere - the book would be too tough, and the concepts - while organized so that an adult can plainly see how they relate- will be tough to pick up. They open the kit and start fiddling with the tools and putting them together in unusual ways; also a cognitively interesting activity, but not one that would lead them to making the conceptual discoveries that the kit strives for.

Still I think that's just right. I want to teach my kids these concepts. These kits are a nice way to spend time together with the kids, 1:1. In a way these kits serve as a very convenient shortcut for me - they gather the materials, organize the lesson plans, and package them in an appealing way.

Then once I go through the experiments, I find the kids have internalized the concepts and integrate them into their play vocabulary. (e.g., water balloons, etc.). And they can now pull the kits down to repeat the experiments on their own, or then combine the elements to try new discoveries.

My 8 yr old son has had so much fun with reading the schematics and building different projects with it. It is giving him endless amounts of time to focus and create. He loves it!