The first American roller coaster was actually a railway. The Mauch Chunk Switchback Gravity Railway (shown above) was built in the mountains of Pennsylvania in 1827. The track, originally built to send coal to the bottom of a hill, relied on mule...
0William Kamkwamba was born August 5, 1987, in Malawi, a country where magic ruled and modern science was a mystery. At the time, a land suffering from drought and hunger. But William read about windmills and dreamed of building one that would brin...
0World Environment Day is the United Nations day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment. It has been celebrated on the 5th of June every year since 1974. The purpose is to create awareness on emerging environmenta...
0 “An earthquake is such fun when it is over.” – George Orwell A long time ago, our ancestors believed earthquakes to be the act of the Gods. Aristotle, a Greek philosopher, was the first to realise that earthquakes were more than an act of the Go...
1 “Water is clearly vital for life. What is perhaps more surprising is that water plays a crucial role in lubricating the motion of plates – without it there would be no plate techtonics. So water quickens life and the Earth itself.” – David Single...
0“I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success… such emotions make a man forget food, sleep, friends, love, everything.” – Nikola Te...
0“I was sold on flying as soon as I had a taste for it.” – John Glenn Many young STEMists are curious about flight – whether they are watching how a bird flies or making a paper airplane that floats around the room. As you think about your summer...
0 “Flying is the best possible thing for women.” — Baroness Raymonde de la Roche Although men were the first aviators, women quickly took to the air as well. Most early flight schools did not accept female students, but determined women lear...
0“My parents gave me a small telescope, then I built my own, and one thing led to another. So that’s how I ended up going from being a hobby astronomer to a professional astronomer.” – Dimitar Sasselov, Bulgarian astronomer based in the United Stat...
0“If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.” – Sir Isaac Newton Young STEMists can learn much from the life of Galileo. Like all good STEMists, he studied the work of those who had gone before him. As he studied,...
0 “Science & Art were never meant to be separated, they must intermingle.” – Elaine Hansen, President & CEO Groovy Lab in a Box Better Fabrics for Better Living STEMists have done some amazing things with textiles (fabric) and clothing. Today we h...
0As you do your own investigations and projects with electricity, you might want to think about a STEMist from the past who was also interested in electricity: Benjamin Franklin. A Founding Father of America While Franklin is best remembered as on...
0The advantages of hydroponic growing gardens and farms are gaining interest around the world. Hydroponics uses less water than traditional farming, is environmentally friendly, and produces more plants, fruits and vegetables. Also, it requires l...
0How do you learn? More than likely, learning from your mistakes is one of the ways you learn. Sometimes STEMists go through school afraid to make a mistake, but we’re here to tell you that failure is a groovy way to learn. Failure is how we all...
0Did you know you can grow plants without soil? The method is called hydroponic, a Latin word that means working water. Although historians believe that the ancient Babylonians worked with hydroponics through their hanging gardens, it was John Woo...
0Sir Isaac Newton—about his life, said it best, “I do not know what I may appear to the world; but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself now and then in finding a smoother pebble or prettier ...
1What do elevators, flagpoles, trains, planes and automobiles have in common? They all use a pulley system. A pulley is a wheel with a groove that holds a rope, cable or belt, and is used to help lift an object or change the direction of a force. ...
0Newton’s Third Law of Motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Although the explanation of the law is simple, STEMists often find the concept hard to comprehend. How do you demonstrate this law to your STEMists...
0 Most STEMists enjoy the free time afforded during winter break. Students get to sleep later in the morning, participate in late-night family gatherings, and hang out with friends without the worry of completing project assignments or homework....
0Elsa, the ice princess of the Disney movie, Frozen, creates a fantastically spectacular ice castle with a grand staircase and chandelier ice sculpture. There is magic in making ice sculptures, but it’s not as easy as the magic at Elsa’s hands. I...
2 Do your STEMists like to build snow forts and igloos? The engineering design of a backyard igloo can be challenging, but not as challenging as creating a hotel made completely of ice. There are many ice hotels throughout the world. Check out th...
1Do you encourage your STEMists to live a “greener” lifestyle? Whether you are a parent who homeschools your children or a teacher with a classroom of STEMists, teaching children to be eco-friendly and environmentally aware can build lifelong habit...
0There is nothing better than the first snowfall of the season — crystal sparkles float down from the sky often blanketing the ground. Winter is the perfect time to learn all about the wonders of snow. Snow is a frozen form of precipitation that fa...
0We are so thrilled and excited to announce that Groovy Lab in a Box has been selected by Popular Mechanics magazine for its “The 100% Wholesome Holiday Toy Guide.” The Popular Mechanics guide showcases toys that encourage critical thinking, pr...
0Birders of all ages from many corners of the world will participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count from February 13 through February 16, 2015. STEMists can capture the exhilaration of discovery while bird watching this winter in preparation for ...
0More than 50 million Americans are considered backyard birders, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. After gardening, it’s the second-most popular hobby in the country. What many birders may not realize is that there is a science to...
1When you hear the word, “Groovy”, what image comes to mind? If you are like many Americans, groovy conjures up flashes of flower power, smiley faces, peace signs, bell bottoms, mini-skirts and go-go boots. Others may think about the excitement...
0Family game nights are popular. But, have you ever thought about changing your family game night to a Family STEM Night? There are plenty of activities that require participants to think like an engineer or a scientist to identify and solve prob...
2Most STEMists learn to appreciate vibrations as an infant when they hear their first lullaby. And, many learn to love singing children’s songs with the accompaniment of maracas, drums and triangles in preschool and elementary school. But, do ST...
0“Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents.” ― Ludwig van Beethoven An integration of music in the classroom can create a multisensory learning en...
0 Today’s students need groovy new ways to learn. Many students are disengaged, bored, uninterested and unchallenged. In fact, research places the percentage of disengaged middle and high school students between 25 percent and 66 percent (Taylor,...
0Crisp cool weather, spice-scented rooms, and fun fall-related activities are a sure sign of autumn. Check out these five groovy STEM-related projects to kick off the start of your STEMist’s fall season. #1. Pumpkin Math There are numerous acti...
0Most everyone at some point has looked up to the sky to admire the fluffy white clouds floating by, or have been threatened by dark, gloomy storm clouds preparing to soak the earth. How often, though, have you and your STEMists thought about clo...
0Weather is a daily event that we cannot control. It is the reason we choose to wear a sweater, bring a jacket, carry an umbrella or dress in layers. Extreme weather often causes fear, panic and anxiety, and in its wake, major devastation. STEM...
0STEMists in the classroom are using the Minecraft video game to learn physics, math, history, language, team building and more! As the top-selling app on both iPads and iPhones in 2013, according to the Mirror, Minecraft continues to prove to be...
0Homeschooling has its challenges from developing curriculum to finding educational activities that will keep your students engaged. Monthly themed Groovy Lab in a Box is the ideal complement to your curricula, traditional textbooks and supplement...
0The end of summer break can cause back-to-school madness in many families. Parents struggle with changes in their schedules, managing transportation, juggling before- and after-school activities, packing lunches and hours of homework help. Chi...
1How cool would it be to build a roller coaster in your own backyard? Though it’s not common practice, recently there have been several people who were driven to meet the challenge of designing their own backyard coaster. Not such a crazy idea—t...
3Do you remember your first roller coaster ride? Did you stop breathing for that second when you felt your stomach drop as you rode down the first steep hill? Many people love the sound of coaster wheels on the track and the exhilarating thrill of ...
0What do you do with your Groovy Lab in a Box once your STEMists have completed the monthly themed activity? Teach your STEMists about the importance of recycling and reusing materials by finding new ways to use the Groovy box. Below are 12 fun a...
0Do your STEMists realize that water isn’t just for drinking, bathing, or swimming in? Water has a multitude of uses and your STEMists can have fun learning about water with these educational experiments designed with fun in mind! Make a Rain Gau...
0Water wheels come in all shapes and sizes. Prevalent through the industrial revolution in America where they were used for navigation, raising waters and milling, water wheels were originally created for irrigation by the Greco-Romans. Water wheel...
0Dark and eerie nights can be turned into cool summertime memories for your STEMists with glow-in-the-dark activities. To add an educational spark and light up their summer nights, check out these 3 glow-in-the-dark activities that you and your S...
0Fourth of July is one of the best holidays for STEMists to get engaged in celebration preparation and super groovy activities. From yummy recipes and STEM-related activities, to watching the night sky light up with fireworks, the STEMist in you ...
0Every month subscribing STEMists (kids ages 8+) receive our groovy, retro style Groovy Lab in a Box that contains hours of exciting STEM fun and engineering design challenges. Each box is carefully put together and filled with theme-specific ...
0The movement to engage more girls in STEM is in full force and has the backing of the White House. In fact, at its annual science fair in May, girls made up more than half of the participating students! The 2014 White House Science Fair theme ...
0U.S. landfills are littered with 2.4 billion batteries every year, leaving toxins in our groundwater supply. Ditching battery-operated gadgets is one way you can make a conscious environmental statement. There are many gadgets that use the sun’s...
0STEMists are learning at an early age that going green is groovy. Whether it’s the type of family car they use, where their food is grown, or how their house is built, STEMists are being groomed to upgrade to an eco-friendly world. Solar power...
0Catapulting is fun and provides a frame of reference for physics concepts your STEMists are learning in school. Why not plan to build a catapult this summer? Kids love to watch objects fly through the air, across the room or in the yard. It’s ...
1The ‘Lunar Launch’ box wins silver in the Spring 2014 Toys list May 21, 2014: Anaheim, CA: Academics in a Box today announced that its Lunar Launch box has won the silver award from the Parents’ Choice® Foundation, the U.S.’s oldest nonpr...
0The academic year is coming to an end. Some children will head to summer camp; others will stay at home. Whatever your STEMists are scheduled to do this summer, you should be well prepared for the time when you hear, “Mom, I’m bored!” Here are ...
0Kids have been engineering catapults since the dawn of time. Whether they build a contraption, or simply used a paper clip and a rubber band to launch a grape, toy soldier, marshmallow, or other weapon of choice, catapulting objects fosters creat...
0Are you looking for a fun way to teach math? Try LEGOS®! Math can be fun to learn when you use LEGOS to reinforce key math concepts. From grouping and multiplying; adding and subtracting; measuring, weighing, and estimating; LEGOS can mak...
0Summer is an excellent time to visit your local planetarium for a night of star gazing. And, if you are planning a summer vacation, your STEMists will want a trip to a planetarium added to your list of must- see attractions. Here are 7 U.S planet...
0Are you concerned that your child spends too much time playing meaningless games on the smartphone or tablet? Don’t fret! Apple features over 65,000 educational apps, designed specifically for the iOS platform that reaches all levels of education....
0STEMists are fascinated by the Moon. Most likely you started wondering about the Moon in your childhood after hearing about the ‘man in the Moon’ and the ‘cow that jumped over the Moon’ in nursery rhymes. Early childhood exposure to the Moon oft...
0What problems have you solved today? Every day we are challenged with solving problems, and as adults, we don’t think about the process that goes into finding a solution because we have years of practice. We learned at an early age to be problem ...
2Every month, STEMists receive a Lab Notebook in their subscription box. Many lab notebooks are just a set of directions, but not ours. Our Lab Notebooks are truly groovy! Sure, our Lab Notebook has directions. STEMists will follow the Lab Notebook...
2If you have followed Groovy Lab in a Box for a while, you may have noticed that we reference “STEM” a lot. However, you may be wondering: “What is STEM, exactly?” Let’s take a look at what STEM is and why it is so important to the Unite...
0
The first American roller coaster was actually a railway. The Mauch Chunk Switchback Gravity Railway (shown above) was built in the mountains of Pennsylvania in 1827. The track, originally built to send coal to the bottom of a hill, relied on mule...
0
William Kamkwamba was born August 5, 1987, in Malawi, a country where magic ruled and modern science was a mystery. At the time, a land suffering from drought and hunger. But William read about windmills and dreamed of building one that would brin...
0
World Environment Day is the United Nations day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment. It has been celebrated on the 5th of June every year since 1974. The purpose is to create awareness on emerging environmenta...
0
“An earthquake is such fun when it is over.” – George Orwell A long time ago, our ancestors believed earthquakes to be the act of the Gods. Aristotle, a Greek philosopher, was the first to realise that earthquakes were more than an act of the Go...
1
“Water is clearly vital for life. What is perhaps more surprising is that water plays a crucial role in lubricating the motion of plates – without it there would be no plate techtonics. So water quickens life and the Earth itself.” – David Single...
0
“I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success… such emotions make a man forget food, sleep, friends, love, everything.” – Nikola Te...
0
“I was sold on flying as soon as I had a taste for it.” – John Glenn Many young STEMists are curious about flight – whether they are watching how a bird flies or making a paper airplane that floats around the room. As you think about your summer...
0
“Flying is the best possible thing for women.” — Baroness Raymonde de la Roche Although men were the first aviators, women quickly took to the air as well. Most early flight schools did not accept female students, but determined women lear...
0
“My parents gave me a small telescope, then I built my own, and one thing led to another. So that’s how I ended up going from being a hobby astronomer to a professional astronomer.” – Dimitar Sasselov, Bulgarian astronomer based in the United Stat...
0
“If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.” – Sir Isaac Newton Young STEMists can learn much from the life of Galileo. Like all good STEMists, he studied the work of those who had gone before him. As he studied,...
0
“Science & Art were never meant to be separated, they must intermingle.” – Elaine Hansen, President & CEO Groovy Lab in a Box Better Fabrics for Better Living STEMists have done some amazing things with textiles (fabric) and clothing. Today we h...
0
As you do your own investigations and projects with electricity, you might want to think about a STEMist from the past who was also interested in electricity: Benjamin Franklin. A Founding Father of America While Franklin is best remembered as on...
0
The advantages of hydroponic growing gardens and farms are gaining interest around the world. Hydroponics uses less water than traditional farming, is environmentally friendly, and produces more plants, fruits and vegetables. Also, it requires l...
0
How do you learn? More than likely, learning from your mistakes is one of the ways you learn. Sometimes STEMists go through school afraid to make a mistake, but we’re here to tell you that failure is a groovy way to learn. Failure is how we all...
0
Did you know you can grow plants without soil? The method is called hydroponic, a Latin word that means working water. Although historians believe that the ancient Babylonians worked with hydroponics through their hanging gardens, it was John Woo...
0
Sir Isaac Newton—about his life, said it best, “I do not know what I may appear to the world; but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself now and then in finding a smoother pebble or prettier ...
1
What do elevators, flagpoles, trains, planes and automobiles have in common? They all use a pulley system. A pulley is a wheel with a groove that holds a rope, cable or belt, and is used to help lift an object or change the direction of a force. ...
0
Newton’s Third Law of Motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Although the explanation of the law is simple, STEMists often find the concept hard to comprehend. How do you demonstrate this law to your STEMists...
0
Most STEMists enjoy the free time afforded during winter break. Students get to sleep later in the morning, participate in late-night family gatherings, and hang out with friends without the worry of completing project assignments or homework....
0
Elsa, the ice princess of the Disney movie, Frozen, creates a fantastically spectacular ice castle with a grand staircase and chandelier ice sculpture. There is magic in making ice sculptures, but it’s not as easy as the magic at Elsa’s hands. I...
2
Do your STEMists like to build snow forts and igloos? The engineering design of a backyard igloo can be challenging, but not as challenging as creating a hotel made completely of ice. There are many ice hotels throughout the world. Check out th...
1
Do you encourage your STEMists to live a “greener” lifestyle? Whether you are a parent who homeschools your children or a teacher with a classroom of STEMists, teaching children to be eco-friendly and environmentally aware can build lifelong habit...
0
There is nothing better than the first snowfall of the season — crystal sparkles float down from the sky often blanketing the ground. Winter is the perfect time to learn all about the wonders of snow. Snow is a frozen form of precipitation that fa...
0
We are so thrilled and excited to announce that Groovy Lab in a Box has been selected by Popular Mechanics magazine for its “The 100% Wholesome Holiday Toy Guide.” The Popular Mechanics guide showcases toys that encourage critical thinking, pr...
0
Birders of all ages from many corners of the world will participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count from February 13 through February 16, 2015. STEMists can capture the exhilaration of discovery while bird watching this winter in preparation for ...
0
More than 50 million Americans are considered backyard birders, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. After gardening, it’s the second-most popular hobby in the country. What many birders may not realize is that there is a science to...
1
When you hear the word, “Groovy”, what image comes to mind? If you are like many Americans, groovy conjures up flashes of flower power, smiley faces, peace signs, bell bottoms, mini-skirts and go-go boots. Others may think about the excitement...
0
Family game nights are popular. But, have you ever thought about changing your family game night to a Family STEM Night? There are plenty of activities that require participants to think like an engineer or a scientist to identify and solve prob...
2
Most STEMists learn to appreciate vibrations as an infant when they hear their first lullaby. And, many learn to love singing children’s songs with the accompaniment of maracas, drums and triangles in preschool and elementary school. But, do ST...
0
“Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents.” ― Ludwig van Beethoven An integration of music in the classroom can create a multisensory learning en...
0
Today’s students need groovy new ways to learn. Many students are disengaged, bored, uninterested and unchallenged. In fact, research places the percentage of disengaged middle and high school students between 25 percent and 66 percent (Taylor,...
0
Crisp cool weather, spice-scented rooms, and fun fall-related activities are a sure sign of autumn. Check out these five groovy STEM-related projects to kick off the start of your STEMist’s fall season. #1. Pumpkin Math There are numerous acti...
0
Most everyone at some point has looked up to the sky to admire the fluffy white clouds floating by, or have been threatened by dark, gloomy storm clouds preparing to soak the earth. How often, though, have you and your STEMists thought about clo...
0
Weather is a daily event that we cannot control. It is the reason we choose to wear a sweater, bring a jacket, carry an umbrella or dress in layers. Extreme weather often causes fear, panic and anxiety, and in its wake, major devastation. STEM...
0
STEMists in the classroom are using the Minecraft video game to learn physics, math, history, language, team building and more! As the top-selling app on both iPads and iPhones in 2013, according to the Mirror, Minecraft continues to prove to be...
0
Homeschooling has its challenges from developing curriculum to finding educational activities that will keep your students engaged. Monthly themed Groovy Lab in a Box is the ideal complement to your curricula, traditional textbooks and supplement...
0
The end of summer break can cause back-to-school madness in many families. Parents struggle with changes in their schedules, managing transportation, juggling before- and after-school activities, packing lunches and hours of homework help. Chi...
1
How cool would it be to build a roller coaster in your own backyard? Though it’s not common practice, recently there have been several people who were driven to meet the challenge of designing their own backyard coaster. Not such a crazy idea—t...
3
Do you remember your first roller coaster ride? Did you stop breathing for that second when you felt your stomach drop as you rode down the first steep hill? Many people love the sound of coaster wheels on the track and the exhilarating thrill of ...
0
What do you do with your Groovy Lab in a Box once your STEMists have completed the monthly themed activity? Teach your STEMists about the importance of recycling and reusing materials by finding new ways to use the Groovy box. Below are 12 fun a...
0
Do your STEMists realize that water isn’t just for drinking, bathing, or swimming in? Water has a multitude of uses and your STEMists can have fun learning about water with these educational experiments designed with fun in mind! Make a Rain Gau...
0
Water wheels come in all shapes and sizes. Prevalent through the industrial revolution in America where they were used for navigation, raising waters and milling, water wheels were originally created for irrigation by the Greco-Romans. Water wheel...
0
Dark and eerie nights can be turned into cool summertime memories for your STEMists with glow-in-the-dark activities. To add an educational spark and light up their summer nights, check out these 3 glow-in-the-dark activities that you and your S...
0
Fourth of July is one of the best holidays for STEMists to get engaged in celebration preparation and super groovy activities. From yummy recipes and STEM-related activities, to watching the night sky light up with fireworks, the STEMist in you ...
0
Every month subscribing STEMists (kids ages 8+) receive our groovy, retro style Groovy Lab in a Box that contains hours of exciting STEM fun and engineering design challenges. Each box is carefully put together and filled with theme-specific ...
0
The movement to engage more girls in STEM is in full force and has the backing of the White House. In fact, at its annual science fair in May, girls made up more than half of the participating students! The 2014 White House Science Fair theme ...
0
U.S. landfills are littered with 2.4 billion batteries every year, leaving toxins in our groundwater supply. Ditching battery-operated gadgets is one way you can make a conscious environmental statement. There are many gadgets that use the sun’s...
0
STEMists are learning at an early age that going green is groovy. Whether it’s the type of family car they use, where their food is grown, or how their house is built, STEMists are being groomed to upgrade to an eco-friendly world. Solar power...
0
Catapulting is fun and provides a frame of reference for physics concepts your STEMists are learning in school. Why not plan to build a catapult this summer? Kids love to watch objects fly through the air, across the room or in the yard. It’s ...
1
The ‘Lunar Launch’ box wins silver in the Spring 2014 Toys list May 21, 2014: Anaheim, CA: Academics in a Box today announced that its Lunar Launch box has won the silver award from the Parents’ Choice® Foundation, the U.S.’s oldest nonpr...
0
The academic year is coming to an end. Some children will head to summer camp; others will stay at home. Whatever your STEMists are scheduled to do this summer, you should be well prepared for the time when you hear, “Mom, I’m bored!” Here are ...
0
Kids have been engineering catapults since the dawn of time. Whether they build a contraption, or simply used a paper clip and a rubber band to launch a grape, toy soldier, marshmallow, or other weapon of choice, catapulting objects fosters creat...
0
Are you looking for a fun way to teach math? Try LEGOS®! Math can be fun to learn when you use LEGOS to reinforce key math concepts. From grouping and multiplying; adding and subtracting; measuring, weighing, and estimating; LEGOS can mak...
0
Summer is an excellent time to visit your local planetarium for a night of star gazing. And, if you are planning a summer vacation, your STEMists will want a trip to a planetarium added to your list of must- see attractions. Here are 7 U.S planet...
0
Are you concerned that your child spends too much time playing meaningless games on the smartphone or tablet? Don’t fret! Apple features over 65,000 educational apps, designed specifically for the iOS platform that reaches all levels of education....
0
STEMists are fascinated by the Moon. Most likely you started wondering about the Moon in your childhood after hearing about the ‘man in the Moon’ and the ‘cow that jumped over the Moon’ in nursery rhymes. Early childhood exposure to the Moon oft...
0
What problems have you solved today? Every day we are challenged with solving problems, and as adults, we don’t think about the process that goes into finding a solution because we have years of practice. We learned at an early age to be problem ...
2
Every month, STEMists receive a Lab Notebook in their subscription box. Many lab notebooks are just a set of directions, but not ours. Our Lab Notebooks are truly groovy! Sure, our Lab Notebook has directions. STEMists will follow the Lab Notebook...
2
If you have followed Groovy Lab in a Box for a while, you may have noticed that we reference “STEM” a lot. However, you may be wondering: “What is STEM, exactly?” Let’s take a look at what STEM is and why it is so important to the Unite...
0