Thames and Kosmos Fun and Fundamentals Elements of Science

by Thames & Kosmos

Product Features

• Giant science lab
• The mission of the National Geographic Society is to inspire people to care about the planet
• The National Geographic science kits from Thames and Kosmos further that mission by helping kids learn about science in a fun way
• 100 experiments in biology, chemistry, and more

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 21.3 x 14.6 x 3.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000JZ8A1M
• Item model number: 631116
• Our recommended age: 10 years and up
• Manufacturer recommended age: 10 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,931 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
  • #57 in Toys & Games > Learning & Education > Science > Physics
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

National Geographic Elements of Science: 100 experiments in biology, chemistry, and physics. Investigate the most important phenomena in biology, chemistry, and physics by conducting more than 100 fun experiments. A broad yet elaborate introduction to the physical and life sciences, this kit is intended to expose children to the full spectrum of science and show firsthand how these three core disciplines interrelate. The full-color, 112-page book is organized into the following chapters: 1. Water: adhesion, cohesion, buoyancy, density, states of water, surface tension. 2. Air: Bernoulli's Principle, gases, pressure, wind, molecular theory. 3. Heat: temperature, evaporation, heat energy. 4. Sound: music, sound waves, vibration. 5. Forces: centrifugal force, energy, weight, gravity, inertia, pendulums, rockets. 6. Magnetism: magnetic fields, compasses, magnetic poles, radiation. 7. Electricity: electric motors, light bulbs, simple circuits, static electricity. 8. Electromagnetism: electromagnets, the EM spectrum waves, current indicators. 9. Light: camera obscure, light and shadow, light intensity. 10. Optics: microscopes, telescopes, lenses, prisms, reflection, refraction, optical illusions. 11. Plants and Animals: seeds, microscopic organisms, plant cycles, plants and light. 12. Colors: color theory, printing, spectrum. 13. The Human Body: brain, eyes, circulatory systems, ears. 14. Chemistry: acids, bases, chromatography, filtration, reactions, tricks, safety. 15. Earth and Sun: gloves, day and night, seasons, rotating, sundials, time zones.

Product Description

Broad yet elaborate introduction to the physical and life sciences 100 Experiments in Biology, Physics and Chemistry expose students to the full spectrum of science and show firsthand how these core disciplines interrelate 112-page, full color manual organized into 15 different chapters: Water, Air, Heat, Sound, Forces, Magnetism, Electricity, Electromagnetism, Light, Optics, Plants & Animals, Colors, The Human Body, Chemistry, and Earth & Sun. A Parents' Choice Silver Honor Winner

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a good homeschool science item or just for fun!!, August 29, 2009

By 

Amanda L. Day (Kentucky) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Thames and Kosmos Fun and Fundamentals Elements of Science (Toy)

This a great item for a curious child...there are 100 experiments that allow a child (and the equally interested parent..at least in our case!!) to examine basic principles as well as delve deeper with the included additional activities to further prove the role of science in everyday events. The kit starts off with water-based experiments, moves on to those addressing air, heat, sound, force, magnets, electricity, electro-magnetism, light/shadow, optical instruments, plants/animals, colors, the human body, earth/sun, and chemistry...while some of the experiments only take a few minutes, other will take considerably more time to accomplish, so some days you may complete multiple experiments, some days you will only get part way through the experiment you are working on...a good variety of chalenges that will keep most young researchers interested and, with this kit, i have found that my 10 year old is apt to start becoming creative with where he could go next with what he discovers...quite an impressive kit!! The only negative i would include about this item is that you DO have to purchase batteries for some of the experiments, as well as provide basic items such as sugar and salt and such...while this is not a big deal, the lack of these items can effectively disable the day's experiment, so be warned!!!
One other minor detraction...the tools and supplies appear to be rather "play-like" in quality, but, in their defence, so far, everything has performed as well as, or better than, expected.
I purchased this item on sale, and as a homeschooling mom i have found this to be a positive addition to our school schedule...however, homeschooling aside, this kit will certainly delight any young inquisitive child...and the instructions are well written, and the text has a number of cute cartoons that reinforce the learning, as well as plenty of clear illustrations throughout...Overall, a good buy at full price, an excellent investment if you find it on sale!!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great first science kit for my 8 year old daughter., January 20, 2011

By 

camperfamily - 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 Fun and Fundamentals Elements of Science (Toy)

We purchased this kit for our 8 year old daughter for Christmas. I was a little concerned that it might be above her head since the kit is recommended for ages ten and up. Our daughter is a very strong reader so we hoped for the best.

She is enthralled with this kit. She spent all afternoon with it the first time she used it. Most importantly, she learned from every experiment that she did, and was successful with every one that she tried. She could hardly wait to show her younger sisters. She just skimmed through the manual and would stop at one that caught her interest. Some are simple effects, but with pretty impressive results, especially for a kid. Although many of the experiments seem simple, the underlying science, which is described in the manual, is usually important. Each experiment has a point to make and they seem to do it well. As a parent, you may want to consider paying close attention to the point of the experiment to see if your child grasps it. For example, one that she tried involved charging a balloon by rubbing it in her hair. No big deal, who needs a science kit for that? Well, they had her sprinkle salt and pepper and mix them. When she brought the charged balloon near the mixture, the pepper all leapt to the balloon, leaving only salt behind. It was a pretty effective demo. She did not remain silent when it happened. Then you can imagine her further reaction when she noticed some of the pepper flakes leaping back off the balloon like fleas into the salt, only to leap back to the balloon again. The point is that she was seeing evidence of the internal structure of salt vs. pepper (salt is an ionic crystal and pepper is not and can be easily polarized). She was learning and having fun at the same time. Now my youngest daughters are rubbing balloons in their hair and watching them repel each other (the balloons, not the kids...)

She does need a small amount of guidance in opening vials, using the provided measuring spoon, and with a pretty complicated sticker of Earth's surface that is supposed to go on a styrofoam ball. Even a ten year old will need a small amount of help with some of the items, but not much. Should be a piece of cake for a typical 12 year old. There are some experiments in the kit (such as making the electric motor) that actually fascinate college students.

The components of the kit are simple, but not hokey. I am a scientist myself and can vouch for the experiments that I have seen thus far, and that I saw in the large experiment manual.

This is a good set. It is quite well thought out and organized. It is very safe. For some experiments, be prepared to provide household items such as a strand of thread, salt and pepper, a comb, a few cabbage leaves to make your own pH indicator, two batteries, etc. Does not make a mess that a vacuum can't clean up.

The magnets provided work for the experiments, but it would have been nice if the kit came with stronger ones, especially the ring magnet.

NOTE: Our kit was sent with the 1st edition manual for the 2nd edition kit. The 2nd edition recommends standard 1.5 volt batteries. If your manual recommends a different voltage, read the bulbs to make sure they match the battery recommendation.

Thames & Kosmos provides a phone number and they answer it and are very helpful.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars worth the money, January 18, 2010

By 

DPL - See all my reviews

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

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Thames and Kosmos Fun and Fundamentals Elements of Science (Toy)

We bought this for my 5 year old for Christmas and she loves it. We use it as a reward to get her to do her chores and such. It is really worth the money. It comes with most everything you need and explains science behind the experiments.