Some of our favorite science kits are the Science Wiz kits by Penny Norman, Ph.D.
When I first saw them on the shelf in a teacher store, I was intrigued. The clerk at the store said that they were very popular.
I found out why after I bought my first one.
Perfect for science project ideas, science experiments, or as part of a science curriculum, you get more than your money’s worth from these kits.
Here’s more about them.
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Science Wiz Kits Product Review
The science kits comes in a box and includes a book and some materials for the experiments. The materials are packed securely with styrofoam so that they don’t get damaged in shipping.
Interesting Books
The books are wonderful. They have great illustrations which include funny characters and clear pictures showing how to do the experiments. The text leads children through a science topic in a way which encourages exploration and experimentation. It includes humor and real-world examples of the concept. The books read at about a 3rd or 4th grade level.
Materials Included
The kits include much of the materials needed to do the science experiments. What’s not included are household materials like batteries, vinegar, baking soda, and the like. The materials are good quality. Ours have lasted a few years.
Fun Experiments
The experiments are easy to do. My kids were able to do them with adult supervision when they were in around 4th or 5th grades. They are lot of fun, too. I still remember the great time my kids and I had launching a bottle rocket outside. That was one of the great experiments from the Physics kit. We also had a lot of fun with the Electricity kit building circuits and beeping out Morse Code. Overall, I think the experiments are the highlight of the kits.
A Potential Science Curriculum
I think these products are perfect for homeschoolers who are putting together their own science curriculum for kids at an elementary age. They cover a broad variety of science concepts and are fun for the whole family. If you teach science 2-3 times per week, a collection of these kits could potentially fill up one school year with perhaps a little supplemental information from the internet or the library. These kits are also good for a curriculum that needs a little something extra. If you are not satisfied with the experiments in your current program, you might want to buy these.
For Homeschool Groups
I discovered that the experiments are beneficial for homeschool groups. The clerk who sold me my first kit told me that they were being used in after school programs in some of the local school districts. Because of that, I decided to try them out with a homeschool group that we were active with. They worked out quite well. The kids loved the experiments.
Science Fair Projects
These kits are also great for science fair projects. The Inventions kit has some great projects like building a motor, a radio, and a telegraph that would also be great for a homeschool fair.
The Cons
If I had a very “full” science curriculum, I wouldn’t use these kits unless I needed an idea for a science fair project or wanted to do some fun science activities over the summer.
One improvement that I think the company could make would be to also sell the books by themselves. It would make it easier to use the kits with a group. Every child could have a book to look at while you are teaching.
Updated!
I was elated to discover that the Science Wiz kits have been updated and added to since I bought them. They now include topics like DNA, light, and Chess. I can’t wait to see what other kits they come out with in the future.
Here’s a list of the Science Wiz products: