Secret Science Team Kit review/giveaway


WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!

PENNY W

HAVE A GREAT LEARNING ADVENTURE!

OUR GROUP OF "MAD" SCIENTISTS


As a home school mom I am always on the lookout for new things to energize our schooling time.  I know I get bored with the same 'ole thing all the time.  I was excited when I came across Ectropy Science and their Secret Science Team kits. 
Science has never been my strong subject.  Every time, YES every time, we tried to do an experiment, it would fail.  Fail miserably.  I'd have to explain to the kids that this is what was supposed to happen and this is why according to scientific laws.  Finally we figured out if I never touched anything, then the experiment would work!


I am interested to see what will happen with this Secret Science Team Mission Kit I was sent to review. Maybe if I keep my distance all will be fine.


When the package was delivered the mail woman said, "wow, you're receiving  top secret packages now!"
Nothing like a top secret package to get the neighborhood talking!

Contents of the "top secret" package:  storyline sheet, case file instruction booklet, data recording sheet, test tubes with caps and test tube rack, plastic beaker, chromatography paper, pH paper, test liquids and other reagents.
 

After looking  over the contents, reading the assignment and getting a "feel" for what was involved, I decided to have a 'Science party'.  I invited 4 other families to join us to complete this Science Kit.  
We had 13 children, ages 4 - 16.  

Our assignment was to find out who has stolen Dharma and Pippa's red bicycle.  From Ectropy website: "The girls think they have a lead in the case when they see the boy next door with a new blue bike that looks alot like theirs and find a rag soaked with a red liquid in the neighbor's trash."  After performing 3 experiments, the students were asked to come to a conclusion.  When a conclusion is reached the student has to sign into the Secret Science Team website to find if their conclusion is correct.


I set up 8 stations and divided the children into 8 "teams".  Because of the age difference I put an older student with a younger one.



We began by reading the assignment.  Then moving onto the first experiment.  Here are the children "experimenting and reasoning"





The students worked intensely to figure out who stole the bike.  Each "team" successfully completed the 3 experiments to come up with the correct answer.

This Science Kit was very enjoyable.  The instructions were clear and easy to follow.  We worked through the first experiment together then the students worked on their own.  Each experiment explains the science behind the process.  This kit is more than just science experiments.  It is a science experience. It teaches children how to use science and develop analytical reasoning.  Definitely a fun way to learn about science!  

I feel the best age for this kit is  8-12 year old students because they enjoyed it the most. The instructions are clear enough for them to work on their own with little supervision.  The younger children needed a lot of direction and the older ones felt it was a bit "lame".  

The only drawback I found was there was not enough test liquids and other reagents.  With 8 stations, there were only 2 sets of test liquids and reagents. The students had to wait until another team was finished with the liquids.  I would recommend at least 4 sets of liquids.  

I highly recommend these kits!  We had a wonderful time together experimenting and using our reasoning skills to solve the case!

Ectropy Science has generously offered one of my readers a single mission kit.  Add a little fun into your science class!  OR just have a bit of fun with the kids!

To enter you MUST:
Be a follower of this blog and visit Ectropy Science to check out what else they have to offer and comment about what you find there.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
1.  Follow For One Another on networked blogs
2.  Follow For One Another on Twitter
3.  Like Ectropy Science on Facebook
4.  Visit Ectropy Science blog and comment that For One Another sent you
5.  Blog about this giveaway and leave link

A random winner will be drawn on December 6, 2010.  Winner will have 48 hours to respond with address.  If no response, an alternative winner will be chosen.

*****PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER!!!!

*Thanks to Ectropy Science for sponsoring this giveaway. I received a complimentary kit to review.  I was not obligated to post a positive review, but it was easy to do :) 






Comments

  1. Wow! Glad I found you. We homeschool 5 children - ages 13, 12, 8, 4, and 2. And when baby number 6 arrives in the spring, I'm hoping he or she will learn completely through osmosis! :) We are only starting our 2nd year of home education, though.

    I'm now following you through the Totally Tuesday Blog Hop. I hope you'll do the same! You can find me @ http://sofiasideas.com/

    Sofia's Ideas

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi, I am following you from the totally tuesday blog hop! I hope you have a wonderful day and a Happy Thanksgiving

    http://caseysgoodlife.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. hi there. your newest Tuesday blog hop follower. great blog. would *love* a follow back. you can find me at:

    http://aceandfriendsco.blogspot.com/

    lots of FUN giveaways... come by and enter!

    *love* that they have lab coats. cute!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Very cool!

    I am now following your site (came from a blog hop)! I visited the website and it has some very cool science stuff. My younger daughter has been asking for a microscope and they have some nice affordable ones there.

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    I would love for you to stop by my site.
    http://mysimplewalk.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. First of all I would like to say I loved your review especially the intake of students of different age. I have a 7 year old science geek (lol) and I am certain it would be fun for her (us)

    Google Friends Connect - following your blog publicly as Louis

    another interesting tool is the MicroMax

    Thank you for hosting this giveaway

    Louis
    schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  6. following you on twitter @left_the_stars

    schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I like The Secret Science Team on facebook (Louis Here)

    schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm a follower of your blog (annejk112233) and I also like the MicroMax...I didn't know you could buy a microscope for so cheap:) annejk112233(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I follow you on Networked blogs. annejk112233(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I like Ectropy Science on FB (I'm anne dall on fb) and told them u sent me at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Secret-Science-Team/289388112223#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=452921837223&id=289388112223

    annejk112233(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I visited their blog and told them u sent me under the Welcome post at: http://www.ectropyscienceblog.com/?p=1#comments

    annejk112233(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. GFC follower
    I went to the site and see that they offer Party Kits! My son LOVES Science and doing experiments would be great for his birthday party.
    tchoplin2009@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Like Ectropy Science on fb
    Teresa Inscoe Choplin
    tchoplin2009@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I follow via GFC and they offer a large variety of microscopes
    ape2016(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. follow you on networked blogs
    april yedinak

    ReplyDelete
  16. i love the Gift Bundles!

    hiccupapparel at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. i follow you on twitter @beckybeitzel

    hiccupapparel at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. i follow on networked blogs fb name is becky barrett beitzel


    hiccupapparel at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. i like Ectropy Science on fb @becky barrett beitzel


    hiccupapparel at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. i left them a comment on their blog


    hiccupapparel at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. they sell lab coats (costumes), too. how cute. follow with gfc

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

    ReplyDelete
  22. follow with networked blogs (penny watcher)

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

    ReplyDelete
  23. twitter follower (hcwpw)

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

    ReplyDelete
  24. ectropy science facebook fan (penny watcher)

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

    ReplyDelete
  25. How cool is this! And they even have Scientist costumes! (And I now follow).

    ecarian at yahoo dot com

    Found you on This for That!

    ReplyDelete
  26. And I blogged!

    http://suchfuntogive.blogspot.com/2010/12/easy-wins-low-comment-giveaways.html

    ReplyDelete
  27. And I follow you on Twitter (Scribbleprints).

    ecarian at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. That is so cool! My son would love something like this! They even sell science costumes! I follow your blog.
    kathie78@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I like Ectropy on FB (as Katherine Snyder)
    kathie78@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I like the MagnaScope. annatiffany at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I like the Secret Science Team Mission Kit Case File #1003. I follow your blog.

    thransom@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I follow For One Another on networked blogs

    thransom@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I follow For One Another on Twitter
    (@THRansom)

    thransom@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I Like Ectropy Science on Facebook
    (T.h.Ransom)

    thransom@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I follow you with GFC. I love the MagniScope. Thanks for a great giveaway. This is such a great item to help the children learn.

    rrudnick@netnet.net

    ReplyDelete
  36. fllow via twitter (kathie78)
    kathie78@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Following on GFC! Wow- I loved their site- the party kits and gift bundles are great ideas

    ReplyDelete
  38. Following you on twitter @barrettboys

    ReplyDelete
  39. Chitownchica follows your blog and I like the shporting goods store mission. We homeschool too and I am always looking for fun science things like this!

    chitownchicas at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  40. google friend klp1965
    kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com

    i also like the Carson's zOrb is a digital microscope with an integrated camera that displays the magnified image right on your computer screen.

    ReplyDelete
  41. like es on facebook kathy l pease
    kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I like them on facebook and follow you on twitter! I never knew this science site existed! Some of the gift bundles are going to be great Christmas/Birthday gifts for my nephew!

    ReplyDelete
  43. I saw that they have the carson's zorb digital microscope. We got one of these for my daughter last christmas and she uses it all the time to look at diferent things.

    kerrie@mayansfamily.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I follow with gfc (psychdog) and I would love to get my son the gift bundle 2. He would have so much fun with the microscope, jacket and kit. Thanks!
    hickenfam at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I follow you on twitter - @hifam.
    hickenfam at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I really like the Party Kit. My boys would have a blast.
    megankayden@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Following you via network blogs.
    megankayden@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Following you via twitter.
    megankayden@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I like Ectropy Science on facebook
    megankayden@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. I follow and they have awesome microscopes on their site
    sarahlovesvegas@hotmail

    ReplyDelete
  51. I am a follower and I found this: zOrb
    a macro microscope.
    looks neat :)

    thanks,
    googcheckian AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I follow and they have awesome microscopes on their site
    sarahlovesvegas@hotmail

    ReplyDelete
  53. google friend klp1965
    kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com

    i also like the Carson's zOrb is a digital microscope with an integrated camera that displays the magnified image right on your computer screen.

    ReplyDelete
  54. I follow with gfc (psychdog) and I would love to get my son the gift bundle 2. He would have so much fun with the microscope, jacket and kit. Thanks!
    hickenfam at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  55. And I follow you on Twitter (Scribbleprints).

    ecarian at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. twitter follower (hcwpw)

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

    ReplyDelete
  57. i left them a comment on their blog


    hiccupapparel at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  58. i follow you on twitter @beckybeitzel

    hiccupapparel at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I'm a follower of your blog (annejk112233) and I also like the MicroMax...I didn't know you could buy a microscope for so cheap:) annejk112233(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  60. Very cool!

    I am now following your site (came from a blog hop)! I visited the website and it has some very cool science stuff. My younger daughter has been asking for a microscope and they have some nice affordable ones there.

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    I would love for you to stop by my site.
    http://mysimplewalk.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Hi, I am following you from the totally tuesday blog hop! I hope you have a wonderful day and a Happy Thanksgiving

    http://caseysgoodlife.com

    ReplyDelete
  62. I'm your newest follower from the Tuesday Blog Hops! Come check out my blog at: http://adventuresofathriftymommy.blogspot.com/

    Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete

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