When you come inside for a cold drink after a frolic at the park or a long bike ride with some friends, you might not give much thought to turning on the kitchen faucet or pushing a button on your refrigerator for a clear, cool thirst quencher. Bu...
0Imagine that you lived in the hot, sandy climate of Egypt, thousands of years ago. Your house would be a small mud hut baked by the summer sun, with little furniture and no running water. After helping your family harvest crops and tend fields and...
0What if you could have a robot that could take out the garbage, put away your toys or help you with your homework? Already, you live in a world where you can tell a device in your home or command a cell phone to play a song, call a friend or answe...
0If you were growing up in the 1960’s, you might have watched the first moon landing on television. Back then, space exploration was still in its very early stages…in fact, having a television in the house to watch it unfold was a pretty new lu...
0Now is the perfect time to give a homemade creation to a friend or family member to brighten their day. With a few simple materials you might already have at home, you can design and construct a special greeting card, complete with its own little ...
0There are too many unique characteristics to count that makes each one of us who we are. Just like fingerprints, no two people have exactly the same lip prints. And like fingerprints, lip prints are used by forensic scientists to figure out who ma...
0Have you ever wondered if one of your favorite hobbies could change the world? A 19th-Century Girl If you were a girl born in the mid- to late-1800’s, most of your education would be learning how to cook, clean, and sew. You were more likely to ...
0Detectives and forensic scientists collect fingerprints at the scenes of mysterious events, which can help them solve the mystery. Did you know that collecting fingerprints is super simple? All you need is a few tools you already have at home, and...
0Our world is brought to life by the colors we see. Nature provides an amazing array of colors, whether we’re looking at red and yellow leaves falling, a brilliant pink sunset, the ocean’s deep blue water or a lush green field dotted with purpl...
0In 2000, a hiker stopped to have his lunch on a rock in the mountains near Fukang, China. He noticed that the rock had a metallic shimmer and crystals in it, so he broke a few pieces off, and curious to see what kind of rock it was and where it ca...
0Imagine you’re a miner looking for new ore deposits deep beneath a hillside cave. You hold up your lantern, and to your surprise and astonishment, giant milky-white crystals emerge from the darkness, filling the horseshoe-shaped cave. What luck!...
0When warm is the weather sheep lose their sweater. Once a year all my sheep get haircuts. We call this process sheering. Just like with people, haircuts don’t hurt and the hair will grow back. We call sheep hair wool. This sheep is half way thr...
0Currently, we find ourselves plagued with the idea of germs and how they are so easily spread. As adults, it can be confusing sometimes, imagine how it is for children. The best way to teach children about germs is through learning activities. So,...
0Earth Day is a groovy day for kids to learn about nature. Did you know that there are more than 350,000 different types of plants on Earth? Learn all about plants with these Free Earth Day Activities. Start of by taking a few minutes and describe ...
0Although 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 learned from friends or paid for private lessons. Since the early 19th century, women have ...
0What is Sound? A popsicle (craft stick) harmonica is a groovy way to demonstrate the science of sound because all sounds are produced by a certain kind of motion. As you stretch a rubber band and then pluck it, the rubber band moves back and forth...
0Catapults are fun for kids! Supplement and enrich physics concepts while kids build various catapults and practice their engineering design process skills! Why not build a catapult? Kids love to watch objects fly through the air, across the room o...
1Do you think a balloon can bend water? 1. Turn your faucet on low and slow so you have a steady stream of water.Create static electricity and charge your balloon by rubbing it on your headfor one minute. Without touching the water, move the ba...
0Follow our step by step instructions to make a six pointed paper snowflake. Did you know? All snowflakes have six sides. How does a snowflake form? A snowflake starts off as a tiny droplet of water that freezes in the sky to create an ice crystal....
1Most everyone loves the first weeks of winter and even the first few days of a snowstorm, but soon STEMists become bored with cold, winter activities. Keeping STEMists entertained while they are on holiday, or at home for a snow day, is a test fo...
0There is nothing better than the first snowfall of the season — crystal sparkles float down from the sky often blanketing the ground. Learn all about the wonders of crystallization, make your own homemade snow and create a delicious dessert with t...
0If 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 United...
4Nikola Tesla imagined the future and is being rediscovered in pop culture and celebrated as a man before his time. He thought of devices and technologies we use today such as mobile phones, wireless internet and renewable energy. “It will soon be...
1As 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 one...
0STEMists have done some amazing things with textiles (fabric) and clothing. Today we have clothing that changes color in sunlight, socks with aloe to soothe the feet, and fleece fabric made from recycled plastic bottles--just for starters!...
0Did you know you can grow plants without soil? Hydroponics uses water and a growth medium to grow plants. NASA has been researching how to use hydroponics in space. The theme for our October subscription box, Water Works, is about how a future Mar...
0The advantages of hydroponic growing gardens and farms are gaining interest around the world. Hydroponic gardens use less water than traditional farming, are environmentally friendly, and produce more plants, fruits and vegetables. Also, they re...
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 evolution of hydroponics started with the ancient Babylonians and their hanging gardens, i...
0Here’s the deal behind the Chemistry of Fireworks – and yes, with anything worthwhile, you really need to Try. Fireworks are created by chemistry. The colors are produced by the heating of metal salts, that emit characteristic colors. The atoms of...
1International Asteroid Day is observed every year on June 30th. Also known as National Meteor Watch Day, on a cloudless night, STEMists turn their eyes to the sky in hopes of spotting the glow of a falling star. What is an Asteroid? Asteroids are ...
0The 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...
2“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“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,...
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...
1Sir 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....
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 obj...
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...
2Do 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 thes...
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...
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...
1Most 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...
1“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 supplemen...
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. Child...
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 an...
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 groovy STEM for kids fun this summer. In addition, late night fun offers a chance to create memories and add an educational spark. STEMists love glow-in-the-dark activities. Why not try these 3 glow-in-the-...
1The 4th of July is one of the best holidays for STEMists! Firstly, it’s a great way to get kids engaged in celebration preparation. Secondly, it’s a chance to do some super groovy STEM activities. From yummy recipes, to watching the night sky li...
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...
0The ‘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 ...
1Kids 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...
1Are 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 phases of 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 t...
1Engineering Design Process Subscription Box
Groovy Lab in a Box is much more than science supplies. Kids use the Engineering Design Process to be problem solvers....
2Every month, STEMists receive a STEM Lab Notebook in their subscription box. Many lab notebooks are just a set of directions, but not ours. Our STEM Lab Notebooks are truly groovy! Sure, our Lab Notebook has directions. STEMists will follow the L...
5
When you come inside for a cold drink after a frolic at the park or a long bike ride with some friends, you might not give much thought to turning on the kitchen faucet or pushing a button on your refrigerator for a clear, cool thirst quencher. Bu...
0
Imagine that you lived in the hot, sandy climate of Egypt, thousands of years ago. Your house would be a small mud hut baked by the summer sun, with little furniture and no running water. After helping your family harvest crops and tend fields and...
0
What if you could have a robot that could take out the garbage, put away your toys or help you with your homework? Already, you live in a world where you can tell a device in your home or command a cell phone to play a song, call a friend or answe...
0
If you were growing up in the 1960’s, you might have watched the first moon landing on television. Back then, space exploration was still in its very early stages…in fact, having a television in the house to watch it unfold was a pretty new lu...
0
Now is the perfect time to give a homemade creation to a friend or family member to brighten their day. With a few simple materials you might already have at home, you can design and construct a special greeting card, complete with its own little ...
0
There are too many unique characteristics to count that makes each one of us who we are. Just like fingerprints, no two people have exactly the same lip prints. And like fingerprints, lip prints are used by forensic scientists to figure out who ma...
0
Have you ever wondered if one of your favorite hobbies could change the world? A 19th-Century Girl If you were a girl born in the mid- to late-1800’s, most of your education would be learning how to cook, clean, and sew. You were more likely to ...
0
Detectives and forensic scientists collect fingerprints at the scenes of mysterious events, which can help them solve the mystery. Did you know that collecting fingerprints is super simple? All you need is a few tools you already have at home, and...
0
Our world is brought to life by the colors we see. Nature provides an amazing array of colors, whether we’re looking at red and yellow leaves falling, a brilliant pink sunset, the ocean’s deep blue water or a lush green field dotted with purpl...
0
In 2000, a hiker stopped to have his lunch on a rock in the mountains near Fukang, China. He noticed that the rock had a metallic shimmer and crystals in it, so he broke a few pieces off, and curious to see what kind of rock it was and where it ca...
0
Imagine you’re a miner looking for new ore deposits deep beneath a hillside cave. You hold up your lantern, and to your surprise and astonishment, giant milky-white crystals emerge from the darkness, filling the horseshoe-shaped cave. What luck!...
0
When warm is the weather sheep lose their sweater. Once a year all my sheep get haircuts. We call this process sheering. Just like with people, haircuts don’t hurt and the hair will grow back. We call sheep hair wool. This sheep is half way thr...
0
Currently, we find ourselves plagued with the idea of germs and how they are so easily spread. As adults, it can be confusing sometimes, imagine how it is for children. The best way to teach children about germs is through learning activities. So,...
0
Earth Day is a groovy day for kids to learn about nature. Did you know that there are more than 350,000 different types of plants on Earth? Learn all about plants with these Free Earth Day Activities. Start of by taking a few minutes and describe ...
0
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 learned from friends or paid for private lessons. Since the early 19th century, women have ...
0
What is Sound? A popsicle (craft stick) harmonica is a groovy way to demonstrate the science of sound because all sounds are produced by a certain kind of motion. As you stretch a rubber band and then pluck it, the rubber band moves back and forth...
0
Catapults are fun for kids! Supplement and enrich physics concepts while kids build various catapults and practice their engineering design process skills! Why not build a catapult? Kids love to watch objects fly through the air, across the room o...
1
Do you think a balloon can bend water? 1. Turn your faucet on low and slow so you have a steady stream of water.Create static electricity and charge your balloon by rubbing it on your headfor one minute. Without touching the water, move the ba...
0
Follow our step by step instructions to make a six pointed paper snowflake. Did you know? All snowflakes have six sides. How does a snowflake form? A snowflake starts off as a tiny droplet of water that freezes in the sky to create an ice crystal....
1
Most everyone loves the first weeks of winter and even the first few days of a snowstorm, but soon STEMists become bored with cold, winter activities. Keeping STEMists entertained while they are on holiday, or at home for a snow day, is a test fo...
0
There is nothing better than the first snowfall of the season — crystal sparkles float down from the sky often blanketing the ground. Learn all about the wonders of crystallization, make your own homemade snow and create a delicious dessert with t...
0
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 United...
4
Nikola Tesla imagined the future and is being rediscovered in pop culture and celebrated as a man before his time. He thought of devices and technologies we use today such as mobile phones, wireless internet and renewable energy. “It will soon be...
1
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 one...
0
STEMists have done some amazing things with textiles (fabric) and clothing. Today we have clothing that changes color in sunlight, socks with aloe to soothe the feet, and fleece fabric made from recycled plastic bottles--just for starters!...
0
Did you know you can grow plants without soil? Hydroponics uses water and a growth medium to grow plants. NASA has been researching how to use hydroponics in space. The theme for our October subscription box, Water Works, is about how a future Mar...
0
The advantages of hydroponic growing gardens and farms are gaining interest around the world. Hydroponic gardens use less water than traditional farming, are environmentally friendly, and produce more plants, fruits and vegetables. Also, they re...
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 evolution of hydroponics started with the ancient Babylonians and their hanging gardens, i...
0
Here’s the deal behind the Chemistry of Fireworks – and yes, with anything worthwhile, you really need to Try. Fireworks are created by chemistry. The colors are produced by the heating of metal salts, that emit characteristic colors. The atoms of...
1
International Asteroid Day is observed every year on June 30th. Also known as National Meteor Watch Day, on a cloudless night, STEMists turn their eyes to the sky in hopes of spotting the glow of a falling star. What is an Asteroid? Asteroids are ...
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...
2
“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
“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
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...
1
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
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 obj...
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 thes...
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
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...
1
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...
1
“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 supplemen...
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. Child...
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 ...
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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 an...
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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...
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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...
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Dark and eerie nights can be turned into groovy STEM for kids fun this summer. In addition, late night fun offers a chance to create memories and add an educational spark. STEMists love glow-in-the-dark activities. Why not try these 3 glow-in-the-...
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The 4th of July is one of the best holidays for STEMists! Firstly, it’s a great way to get kids engaged in celebration preparation. Secondly, it’s a chance to do some super groovy STEM activities. From yummy recipes, to watching the night sky li...
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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 ...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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 ...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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....
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STEMists are fascinated by the phases of 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 t...
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Engineering Design Process Subscription Box Groovy Lab in a Box is much more than science supplies. Kids use the Engineering Design Process to be problem solvers....
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Every month, STEMists receive a STEM Lab Notebook in their subscription box. Many lab notebooks are just a set of directions, but not ours. Our STEM Lab Notebooks are truly groovy! Sure, our Lab Notebook has directions. STEMists will follow the L...
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