Exploring Heat Transfer with a MEL Science Kit

My kids were so excited to try out another MEL Science kit. In the Heat Transfer set we completed activities that taught us about heat. Through the use of a thermochromic screen included in the science kit we were able to actually see heating and cooling. 

This was a very engaging set that kept the kids busy long after the original activities were completed. Read on to learn more about our experience this physics set from MEL Science and for an exclusive promo code!

This post contains affiliate links meaning I receive a small commission from purchases made from these links at no additional cost to you. Please see disclosures for more information.

Heat Transfer Physics Kit from MEL Science

The Heat Transfer kit from MEL Science includes everything you need to complete three physics activities. We were able to make heat visible in the "heat trace" activity, explored evaporative cooling, held a thermal race. 

Directions for each activity are in the kit, and you can also follow animated step-by-step instructions on the free MEL Science app. 

This kit is intended for ages 8 and up. As I was doing the experiments with my kids, my 8-year-old and her 5-year-old sister worked easily and safely together. Although the younger one didn't grasp as much of the science, they both found these activities engaging and fun. 

Making Heat Visible

The activities in the Heat Transfer physics kit make use of a thermochromic screen. Thermochromic means a substance that changes color as it changes temperature. 

Thermochromic pigments and liquid crystals are used in familiar items such as color-changing mood rings, forehead thermometers, or if you grew up in the late 80's and early 90's like me, those popular Hypercolor shirts! (If you are looking to share a little nostalgia with your kids, you can still get heat-sensitive color changing shirts here.)

The thermochromic screen makes an excellent tool for allowing students to see heat in action. You can see how heat transfer through conduction works if you press your hand on the screen for a few seconds. You can also see how warm your breath is if you breathe on it through a straw. This particular screen changed color in a temperature range of 75-93 degrees F. 

Evaporative Cooling

Another way heat is transferred is through evaporative cooling. This is when temperature is reduced due to moisture evaporating and removing heat from a surface. When we sweat we cool down due to evaporative cooling.

We once again experimented with the color changing screen. It was neat to see the heat dissipate as the water from a paintbrush evaporated. My daughter explored painting with water on the thermochromic screen for quite a while. 

Heat Conduction: A Thermal Race

Lastly we experimented with two different metals to see which would be a better conductor of heat. It's so cool to be able to see the temperature change! 

Heat Transfer Kit

The Heat Transfer Physics Kit from MEL Science got a big thumbs up at our household. My kids also really enjoyed building a music box while studying sound waves with a MEL Science STEM Kit. You can read our review of the Sound Waves kit here. 

MEL Science also offers subscription plans and bulk prices for schools and other groups. You can learn more about school and bulk ordering here.

If you'd like to try out MEL Science kits in your home or school, use our promo code: SHAREITSCIENCE for 50% off your first box. 

Thermochromic Fun

The thermochromic screen in our kit has really been put through its paces, but I'm sure it will be played with more before it is worn out. When the time comes, we would be excited to order this heat sensitive color-changing sheet. It's bigger too, so many possibilities!

If you are looking for another heat transfer project with thermochromic pigment, try this project about ectotherms (cold-blooded) and endotherms (warm-blooded) creatures!

Exploring Sound Waves with a MEL Science STEM Kit

We recently explored the science of sound waves with a MEL Science STEM kit. My kids built a music box on their own with supplies from the kit. They also learned about vibration and sound waves with a lesson on the free MEL STEM app. They definitely learned a lot and enjoyed the activities in their STEM kit. Then we extended our learning with one of my favorite easy sound wave investigations. 

MEL Science offers monthly subscription box STEM kits for kids. The kits come with everything kids need to complete a STEM project. My children loved doing the activities and made some great science connections and discoveries.

This post contains affiliate links meaning I receive a small commission from purchases made from these links at no additional cost to you. Please see disclosures for more information.

Find out what we thought about our MEL STEM kit below. I've included a discount promo code so that you can try out MEL Science too! 

You will also find out how you can teach about sound waves at home or school, whether you have a subscription STEM service or not. 

Exploring Sound Waves with MEL Science

We were excited to dive into our MEL Science STEM kit. The box came with everything necessary to complete the project, including some extension activities and access to digital resources. 

Our box, "Sound Waves" is part of the MEL STEM subscription box line. This subscription is designed for kids ages 5 and up. It was perfect for two of my children, ages 5 and 8. 

We really liked that the instruction booklet included a story. As the kids built their music box, the story played out. It was an engaging way to connect with the science concepts in a kid friendly way.

By taking turns the kids were able to work together independently to complete their task with very little arguing! They are familiar with LEGO and the instruction booklet is laid out in a similar way to a LEGO kit. Each page had a diagram for a single step and the materials needed to accomplish it. 

Want to try a MEL Science STEM kit, too? Take 50% off your first box with our exclusive promo code: SHAREITSCIENCE Click here to get started.

Building a Music Box

The music box activity was a great way to connect the concept that vibrations make sound to a real life scenario. The kids were able to create their own songs by moving around the pieces that would make the hammers strike. 

In the finished product we wished the hammers hit the bars more accurately and firmly so the sound was louder and more consistent. However, this did give us the opportunity to think like engineers and discuss how we might redesign that one element to make it better. 

Augmented Reality Sound Wave Lesson

In addition to the hands-on STEM project, we had access through the free MEL STEM app to a short science lesson on sound waves. We watched our interactive lesson using Augmented Reality (AR). The kids really got a kick out of seeing the animations sitting right on our kitchen table. We liked the characters and kid-friendly explanations.

While building my kids connected the concepts from the AR science lesson to their build. They recognized that the different sized bars would make either low or high sounds based on how fast they were vibrating.

MEL Science Perks

The instruction booklet offered several ideas for extension activities. With some adult assistance, kids can get a lot more out of their MEL Science STEM kit. 

MEL Science also offers subscription plans and bulk prices for schools and other groups. You can learn more about school and bulk ordering here.

Want to try a MEL Science STEM kit? Take 50% off your first box with our exclusive promo code: SHAREITSCIENCE Click here to get started.

 

We Recommend MEL Science STEM Kits

We really enjoyed our MEL Science STEM Kit. I asked my kids what they liked best about it compared to other subscription box kits we've used before and they said they liked that there was an illustrated story in the instruction book. I agree that the story was a fun way for the kids to engage with the project. 

I liked that my kids could easily work together to build something that they could use again later. Through the sound waves augmented reality science lesson on the free app they connected with science concepts in a fun and accessible way. The MEL Science Sound Waves box inspired some curiosity and a desire to continue to explore and play with the concept of sound waves. 

We would highly recommend MEL Science to other families and students who enjoy hands-on building projects!

If you'd like to learn more about MEL Science kits, check out our review of the Heat Transfer physics science kit.

Dancing Salt: A Sound Waves Experiment

We played around with the concept of sound waves some more. Here is a little experiment I have used in the traditional science classroom. 

For this sound waves experiment you will need:

• A speaker or device that can produce loud sounds
• An empty plastic container, like a yogurt tub
• Salt, sugar, confetti (something small and light weight)
• Plastic wrap or aluminum foil
• Rubber band

Put some plastic wrap or foil over the opening of the recycled container. Set the container on or very close to your speaker. Sprinkle just a bit of salt, or something small and light weight on top of the plastic. Start your speaker at low volume and slowly increase. 

What happens? Can you make the salt dance? What happens when you change the type of music? How does the vibration of high notes and low notes differ? Do you notice any patterns or interesting motion as you experiment with volume and music type?

Here is just a short clip of our experiment. In this clip we are using a microphone that is attached to the speaker.

Try it!