Thames and Kosmos Classic Science Essential Electronics

by Thames & Kosmos

Product Features

• Learn about electricity, conductors, and insulators
• Assemble series and parallel circuits
• Build an electromagnet, a voltaic pile, and an electric motor
• Surprise your friends with a job buzzer you make yourself
• Construct a vibrating bug

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 10.5 x 2.4 inches ; 1.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001TG6SR8
• Item model number: 600002
• Our recommended age: 8 - 12 years
• Manufacturer recommended age: 8 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,242 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Essential Electronics: The Dangerous Book for Boys Essential Electronics set. Based on the bestselling children's book The Dangerous Book for Boys, this kit presents electronics every kid should know through fun, engaging, and impressive experiments and activities. Learn about electric current and electrons. Conduct hair-raising experiments with static electricity. Read a brief history of the research and discoveries associated with electricity and electronics. Investigate materials to see if they are conductors or insulators. Assemble series circuits and parallel circuits. Discover the relationships between voltage, current, and power. Experiment with resistors, capacitors, diodes, and LEDs. Investigate logical circuits and transistors. Build an electromagnet, an electric motor, a voltaic pile, a joy buzzer, and a vibrating bug. Learn about how some common electronic devices work, such as cell phones, computers, satellites, and televisions. Parents and grandparents will appreciate this nostalgic kit, updated for today's kids. With more than 30 hans-on experiments and projects, it offers a great opportunity for parent-son building. The full-color, 32 page manual guides your experiments.

Product Description

Based on the bestselling children's book The Dangerous Book for Boys, this kit presents electronics every kid should know through fun, engaging, and impressive experiments and activities. Learn about electric current and electrons. Conduct hair-raising experiments with static electricity. Read a brief history of the research and discoveries associated with electricity and electronics. Investigate materials to see if they are conductors or insulators. Assemble series circuits and parallel circuits. Discover the relationships between voltage, current, and power. Experiment with resistors, capacitors, diodes, and LEDs. Investigate logical circuits and transistors. Build an electromagnet, an electric motor, a voltaic pile, a joy buzzer, and a vibrating bug. Learn about how some common electronic devices work, such as cell phones, computers, satellites, and televisions. Parents and grandparents will appreciate this nostalgic kit, updated for today's kids. With more than 30 hands-on experiments and projects, it offers a great opportunity for parent-son bonding. The full-color, 32-page manual guides your experiments.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thames & Kosmos has done it again, February 22, 2011

By 

Science Whizz - See all my reviews

= Durability:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Thames and Kosmos Classic Science Essential Electronics (Toy)

I've loved these Thames & Kosmos science kits for a long time now. There is really nothing else like them on the market, in terms of the amount of content in the books and in the kits. This electronics kit has an old fashioned kind of feel to it, and reminds me of the days when I used to build circuits out of various electronic parts I would find around the house. I think what is so important is teaching kids that you can build really cool things out of everyday materials: you don't need to have lots of expensive equipment -- you can build a battery out of coins or a motor from cardboard, wire and a magnet! This is how kids learn what is really going on inside electronics.

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Junk, September 19, 2010

By 

Robert J. Patocchi "Angry as a dog" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:2.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Thames and Kosmos Classic Science Essential Electronics (Toy)

The circut The circuit board is made of thin cheap cardboard. After a few experiments it tears. Also one of our parts failed to work so I emailed their support address . They never emailed me back. They have one experiment where you get to make a vibrating bug. When I was building it the parts did not hold up. The bugs body was made of cheap paper that does not hold up to its construction as it folds and does not support its paperclip legs. I bought this for my son but it just was a frustrating experience. It is just a box of junk. If the circut board was made of plastic or strong cardboard and if the parts were more durible it would be a great learning tool.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Great concept poor product, December 26, 2011

By 

BobB - See all my reviews

= Durability:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Thames and Kosmos Classic Science Essential Electronics (Toy)

I am an Engineer and appreciate the content of the experiments and the educational value. I just spent some time with my Grandson trying to do some of the experiments included in the kit. His interest (and mine) were quickly lost because the parts included in the kit are of such poor quality that it is difficult to complete any of the experiments. Stay away from this product.