STEM Archives - Homeschool Creations

HUGE Giveaway Bundle from Home Science Tools – ends 11/25/19

Nov182019

November 18, 2019 by Jolanthe 50 Comments

This past week, Home Science Tools has been so incredibly gracious in sharing several giveaways with my readers as well as a FREE ebook: 21 Winter Science Experiments (be sure to download it!). Today we’re wrapping up the giveaways with one HUGE bundle of goodness!

Science and fun experiments are definitely something we love in our home. More recently we have been ordering our lab supplies from Home Science Tools, but their company offers so much more than just lab materials!

These giveaways will hopefully put some science-related tools in your hands with the goal of making science even more enjoyable! Our family has been using Home Science Tools as our go-to for lab supplies, but there are many other fun science kits and materials kids will love!

Today’s giveaway features EIGHT products and all are briefly described a bit below, but I’d encourage you to visit the Home Science Tools website and check out their science gift guide as you begin your second semester planning and holiday shopping.

Inside the Home Science Tools Bundle

Here’s a peek at what you’ll find inside this amazing giveaway from Home Science Tools. A link to each item is included if you’d like to click over and learn more. All together this bundle giveaway contains over $250 in fun projects and kits.

This Naturalist’s Backyard Backpack Kit is designed for children ages 5-12, with age-appropriate tools to help them get the most of the outdoors, starting with their own backyard.

The Master Detective Toolkit (ages 8+) provides all the tools needed to start solving crimes right out of the box, including barrier tape, fingerprint dust, and evidence specimen canisters.The full-color manual explains how to analyze the gathered evidence along with some fun facts.

Learn about the science of soaps and body scrubs – and have fun while doing it while using the Spa Science Kit!Children can make their own face masks, fizzing bath balm, salt and sugar rubs, and more using the included lavender oil, peppermint oil, glycerin soap, sea salt, and other ingredients.

Grow dazzling crystals and conduct 15 experiments with the crystal growing science kit ($39.95). Discover the various properties of four different types of chemical crystals: potassium alum, sodium sulfate, sodium acetate, and plaster made from gypsum crystals.

How fun would it be to make your own gummies? With the MakeYour Own Gummies Kit, kids can learn about chemistry and thermal reversibility.
Learn about chemiluminescence and the quantum leap with the Cool Blue Light Kit as you make a cool blue light appear in the dark and complete 6 other illuminating chemistry experiments. (Ages 9+)

Working on a human body unit? Be sure to check out the SomeBody Game ($28.95). Children will enjoy learning the major organs, muscles, and bones of their bodies and how these parts fit and work together as they play this game. Ages 6-10, 2-4 players.

Have fun learning about the properties of magnetism with the Magic Penny Magnet Kit ($24.95). Perform 32 amazing magnetic experiments with the two powerful bar magnets and 24 British pennies in this kit.

Download the 21 Winter Science Experiments Ebook

Home Science Tools is offering my readers a FREE ebook: 21 Winter Science Experiments, which includes some great projects to work on in the upcoming months, including DIY Hand Warmers, Poinsettia PH Paper, and so many others! Download it HERE.

Enter the Giveaway!

Ready to enter? All you need to do is follow the directions in the Rafflecopter widget below. Giveaway is open to those with a US mailing address only. Giveaway ends on Monday, November 25, 2019 at 11:59pm.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don’t Miss These Too!

There are a few additional giveaways you don’t want to miss! Click on the graphics below to enter the other daily giveaways from Home Science Tools!

Day 4 Giveaway – ends 11/21/19

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Filed Under: Giveaways, STEM 50 Comments

{Giveaway #3}: Home Science Tools: Crystal Growing Kit and Make Your Own Gummies Kit

Nov142019

November 14, 2019 by Jolanthe 19 Comments

Here we go! Day three of the fabulous giveaways from Home Science Tools is ready to go! I truly hope you all are as excited about these as I am!

If you are just joining us, be sure to check out the end of the post for links to the past giveaways and take a moment to enter before they end. Over the next several days, I will be sharing some MORE giveaways from Home Science Tools to both get your family thinking of science-related gifts for Christmas and to put some tools in your hands that will make science even more enjoyable!

Today’s giveaway features TWO products and both are described a bit below, but I’d encourage you to visit the Home Science Tools website and check out their science gift guide as you begin your second semester planning and holiday shopping.

Crystal Growing Kit

Grow dazzling crystals and conduct 15 experiments with this crystal growing science kit ($39.95). Discover the various properties of four different types of chemical crystals: potassium alum, sodium sulfate, sodium acetate, and plaster made from gypsum crystals.

Investigate rapid and slow crystal growth and observe the effect on crystal structures. Try to grow many small crystals and one giant crystal. Kids can display their creations in the included treasure chest with a locking lid.

Experiment with crystallization, solutions, dissolution, and the chemistry of crystal growing. And study the structures and geometries of different crystal shapes.

This 26-piece kit includes a 32-page manual for doing 15 crystal-growing experiments plus chemicals, molds, dye, measuring cups, safety goggles, and more. You supply distilled water and common household items. Ages 12 and up.

——–> Learn more about the Crystal Growing Kit <———-

Make Your Own Gummies Kit

How fun would it be to make your own gummies? With the Make Your Own Gummies Kit ($14.49), kids can learn about chemistry and thermal reversibility.

First, extract carrageenan from the included seaweed then combine it with the sugar and other ingredients in the kit. Finally, pour your candy mixture into molds or shape it with your hands. Let it cool, and enjoy! (Ages 8+)

——–> Learn more about the Make Your Own Gummies Kit <———-

Download the 21 Winter Science Experiments Ebook

Enter the Giveaway!

Ready to enter? All you need to do is follow the directions in the Rafflecopter widget below. Giveaway is open to those with a US mailing address only. Giveaway ends on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 11:59pm.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Filed Under: Giveaways, STEM 19 Comments

{Giveaway} Home Science Tools: Spa Science Kit and Cool Blue Light Experiment

Nov132019

November 13, 2019 by Jolanthe 19 Comments

Are you ready for another day of fun science giveaways from Home Science Tools?

Yesterday I shared a Great giveaway (see the end of the post for the link to enter) and over the next several days, I will be sharing some MORE giveaways from Home Science Tools to both get your family thinking of science-related gifts for Christmas and to put some tools in your hands that will make science even more enjoyable!

Spa Science

Learn about the science of soaps and body scrubs – and have fun while doing it while using the Spa Science Kit! Children can make their own face masks, fizzing bath balm, salt and sugar rubs, and more using the included lavender oil, peppermint oil, glycerin soap, sea salt, and other ingredients.

This is a great kit for kids who are reluctant to do science and need some motivation, but anyone can enjoy making their own spa products. The results would be such fun to give as Christmas gifts as well. (Ages 9+)

——–> Learn more about the Spa Science Kit <———-

Cool Blue Light Experiment Kit

Learn about chemiluminescence and the quantum leap as you make a cool blue light appear in the dark and complete 6 other illuminating chemistry experiments. (Ages 9+)

The Cool Blue Light Experiment Kit contains: luminal mixture, perborate mixture, copper sulfate, cups, empty vial, pipet, scoops, spoon, stirrers, and a rack.

——–> Learn more about the Cool Blue Light Kit <———-

Download the 21 Winter Science Experiments Ebook

Enter the Giveaway!

Ready to enter? All you need to do is follow the directions in the Rafflecopter widget below. Giveaway is open to those with a US mailing address only. Giveaway ends on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at 11:59pm.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Filed Under: Giveaways, STEM 19 Comments

{Giveaway} Home Science Tools: Backyard Naturalist Backpack Kit and Master Detective Toolkit

Nov122019

November 12, 2019 by Jolanthe 34 Comments

Over the next several days, I will be sharing some great giveaways from Home Science Tools to both get your family thinking of science-related gifts for Christmas and to put some tools in your hands that will make science even more enjoyable!

Backyard Naturalist’s Backpack Kit

This Naturalist’s Backyard Backpack Kit is designed for children ages 5-12, with age-appropriate tools to help them get the most of the outdoors, starting with their own backyard. The kit includes the following items:

Nature Backpack – Your kids can easily take this durable backpack with them wherever they explore! It will comfortably hold all of their nature investigation tools. Padded shoulder straps and back.
One Small Square: Backyard – This book will teach kids how to observe and understand the ecosystem of plants and animals that live and depend on one another right in your backyard.
Insect & Butterfly Net – This net has a sturdy wooden handle and mesh net that is ideal for catching everything from tiny bugs to delicate butterflies.
Compact Binoculars – These quality binoculars that are small, light, and easy for kids to use. Great for watching birds, squirrels, and other animals.
Deluxe Magnifier Jar – View bugs, rocks, leaves, and more. Small air holes and a 3X magnifier in the cover allow up-close viewing without hurting the specimens.
Nature Notebook – A small, spiral-bound notebook with blank pages for recording nature observations with drawings and notes.
Colored Pencils – With these, sketches can show the unique coloring of animals and plants.
Plastic Forceps – Use to gently pick up beetles, feathers, worms, etc.
Specimen Collection Bags – 15 plastic bags of varying sizes work perfectly for transporting rocks, pinecones, etc.
Instructions – Our instructions include tips on how to use the insect net, binoculars, and more.
This kit is packaged in an environmentally-friendly white cardboard box.

——–> Learn more about the Nature Backpack <———-

Master Detective Toolkit

The Master Detective Toolkit (ages 8+) provides all the tools needed to start solving crimes right out of the box, including barrier tape, fingerprint dust, and evidence specimen canisters. The full-color manual explains how to analyze the gathered evidence along with some fun facts.

The kit includes more than 30 pieces, plus a full-color, 48-page manual (you provide some common household items).

——–> Learn more about the Master Detective Toolkit <———-

Download the 21 Winter Science Experiments Ebook

Enter the Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Filed Under: Giveaways, STEM 34 Comments

Learning about Coding with EEME’s Uno Board

Aug172018

August 17, 2018 by Jolanthe Leave a Comment

EEME is a blog sponsor and we received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. All opinions expressed are my personal, honest opinions. You can read my full disclosure policy for more details.

Just before the school year ended, we shared about Kaleb building Q the robot from EEME. We were then in the throes of packing for our European adventure and the day before we left, another box arrived from EEME for the Uno Board.

One thing that can be frustrating about other STEM projects is you build it and that’s the end – nothing more. With Q the Robot though, EEME has created a series of projects that build on the framework of what your child has already started. The base remains the same and children essentially add more brains and smarts to their robots.

That is a win-win!

The Uno Board is not a stand-alone project – meaning you cannot purchase just the Uno Board and have your child work on it. Children start by building the Q the Robot project kit, a 3-wheeled robot who follows light. He is the first in a series of robotics projects from EEME – and there is no coding required to get started! Once completed, Q follows light around using two sensors, or photo resistors. When light is shined directly onto the sensors, Q turns to follow the light.

The kids “beef up” their robots with (and I quote, because I could never in a million years say this) “an Arduino-compatible UNO microcontroller board”. With the Uno Board, concepts covered include:

Coding programs for the UNO board
What a compiler does
A coding language called C++
What all those holes, pins on the UNO board do
How UNO powers up

Adding the Uno Board

EEME has FREE online lessons (anyone can view these!), and this is where we went to begin our work with the Uno Board. The first several lessons covered the components we needed for the project (all included), safety, familiarizing ourselves with the projects, and getting the board connected to Q the robot for programming.

We divided the thirty video lessons for Uno Board into two segments over the course of two days. Each of the 30 videos range in length, but average time each day was a bit over an hour, taking us a almost 2.5 hours to complete the entire project.

There are some super tiny screws and pieces that will require a bit of patience at times – completely doable, but just a heads up. :)

One thing we had to do in the early stages was download some firmware to “test” and make sure our board was working correctly. This step took us a little bit of problem solving (all questions that were answered via their site), but because we had a Mac, we required a different patch for our test. Once we had that figured out, we were good to go!

(The green light is a good thing.)

One thing to love about the video lessons is the way EEME dad ties in practical/real-life to help kids understand the terms. The above lesson is teaching about coding and broke it down by showing that coding is essentially giving kids the steps to a function. When parents ask you to work on morning chores (function), there are certain steps that define that function.

The hardest area for us was more the actual coding. In this section, I will admit that we bypassed a little bit, but only after Kaleb and I talked through the coding. For kids to learn and understand how the coding works, EEME recommends that kids type through the coding – it is provided in a box above and kids copy it line by line.

I 100% agree that we learn best by doing ourselves, but in this instance, Kaleb and I would go through it and I would have him point out the various functions. Because I had a broken arm at the time (and had limited use of the computer keyboard) and Kaleb struggles with typing, after we discussed the coding, we did copy/paste from the provided coding. For a few of them I would omit certain segments and have him point out where the errors were. That said, the program itself does recommend kids work through it step-by-step. We didn’t follow the directions. :)

Each time new coding is entered, there is an opportunity to test it to see what that specific coding does. Honestly, so fun.

Above is a super short video clip Kaleb took showing the light sequence coding he worked on.

Once the coding was completed, Kaleb mounted the platform onto the top of Q the Robot. Prior to this point, the Uno Board was connected but off to the side.

This step was a little trickier at times because there are so many more wires now and he was trying to make sure everything stayed in place (he may have knocked one out by accident and had to backtrack to see how we had the wires connected).

After about two hours and 15 minutes total – the Uno Board was fully mounted and working!

And now – we’re ready to work on the next step with Q the Robot to make him even better!

What I will say after this step – Kaleb is 11 and a bit of a perfectionist. He wants to have things done well and correctly, so there isn’t any rushing through. If something isn’t working right, he at times gets frustrated with himself, so I sat alongside for the lessons and helped him flip back through pictures we had taken to look and see how wires were connected if he accidentally unhooked something.

If our older son (age 13) were working on this, he would not need the 1:1 help (he might as for a hand occasionally), but much of that is also personality differences as well. It can be done and may need to be broken up into smaller chunks as well.

What Mom’s Need to Know…

Everything’s included – parts, wires, batteries are included in all every kit
No experience needed – the online lessons to mentor, guide, and teach your kid (seriously, this is a lovely thing)
Safety first – no soldering required, low voltage projects (the mom in me rejoices)

Meanwhile, kids are learning solid concepts and being challenged by building projects using REAL components. They may make mistakes, but in doing so, they learn to review and discover what they can do to make it better and work correctly.

Perfect for ages 10+

Time Required: 2-2.5 hours

Parental involvement: varies based on child, but this one may require more assistance depending on your child’s keyboarding/typing skills since it does involve more detailed computer usage.

Start Learning With EEME

There are 3 ways to learn with EEME – FREE online lessons, their robotics kit series, and their electronics kit series.

For free online lessons – families create a free account with EEME and use their web browser to interactively build and learn about electronics circuits.

2. Robotics series – The first kit of the series, Q the Robot, is a project where your child builds a 3-wheeled light-following autonomous robot. The online lessons associated with Q teach how robotics circuitry works.

You can purchase Q and additional add on kits here.

3. Electronics series – electronics kits are purchased as electronics kit monthly subscriptions. A new bite-sized kit ships every month complete with all the electronic components needed to build a new project.

Each month’s project builds on the previous month’s knowledge and interactive quizzes, questions reinforce kids’ understanding of the why’s and the how’s.

Learn more about the electronics monthly subscriptions here.

Be sure to take a look around the EEME site. If you have kids in the 7-10 range, they have a monthly subscription option where each project focuses on a different electronic concept, but otherwise – go for Q!

Past EEME Projects

We’ve worked on several other projects from EEME. If you’re interested in learning more about their monthly subscription program, be sure to check out the below posts for more information:

Q the Robot (Kaleb’s project)
Project DIY Light Display
Project Genius Light
Project Attraction – building an electromagnet
Project Amp
Project Tentacle
Q the Robot (Zachary’s project)

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Building a Robot with EEME

Apr252018

April 25, 2018 by Jolanthe 1 Comment

Recently we shared Kaleb’s work on building Q the robot from EEME. Before getting to the finished (and fun!!) part of watching his robot move around, there were steps of learning about circuits, how motors work, and so much more.

In short, a little bit of patience.

The finished project though – so much fun to shut the blinds in the house, whip out the flashlight, and guide Q around the house! Especially when you see all your hard work pay off.

Q the Robot is a project kit that guides your child through the process of building a 3-wheeled robot who follows light. He is the first in a series of robotics projects from EEME – and there is no coding required to get started! Once completed, Q follows light around using two sensors, or photo resistors. When light is shined directly onto the sensors, Q turns to follow the light.

Building our Robot

Using the FREE online lessons (anyone can view these!), Kaleb learned first about all the components that go into building this particular robot: breadboards and how circuits are completed, making the motors turn in different directions, powering the robot, photoresistors, and finally had a chance to start building the actual robot.

If you don’t know a thing about electronics, don’t worry. There are step-by-step videos that will walk your child (and you) through the process, and that includes explaining all the various parts and exactly what they do.

We initially broke the video lessons for Q the Robot into three segments and over the course of three/four days: lessons 1-10, 11-20, and 21-35. Each of the 35 videos range in length, but average time each day was between half an hour to 45 minutes, taking us a little over two hours to complete the entire project.

Our first step toward finishing Q was learning about photo resistors. The battery back was temporarily hooked up again with one of the motors to see how the circuit was completed and would function. You can see the photo resistor just to the right of Kaleb’s left hand. Later there will be two that will help “guide” the robot based on the light that shines on each resistor.

After learning about the photo resistors, Kaleb was finally able to pull out the main platform and start assembling the body for Q (lesson #26).

The back of Q features a single caster that allows the robot to pivot or wiggle back and forth as it moves.

The next steps (#27-28) may have caused a little more frustration for Kaleb. In assembling the motors and attaching them to the platform, it was a little trickier for him (he kept dropping one of the screws and missing the hole).

Can I tell you what I loved at this part though? His utter concentration, shown by the tongue that stayed half stuck out of his mouth for the remainder of the building process.

He was able to finally get both motors attached and labeled either right or left. The labeling is important for the turning of the wheels that are still to be added.

The power switch and battery pack were the next to be added. We used some velcro dots (provided) to attach the battery pack to the platform – super quick and easy.

At this point, Q the Robot was beginning to take shape nicely. While Q waited patiently, Kaleb completed a little more wiring.

And finally the breadboard was mounted to robot body…

motors were wired correctly (in complete concentration as you can see)…

And Q the Robot was finished!

The best part though, after all this hard work, was seeing Q in action and having Kaleb explain some of it. Click to watch the video above (you can also visit and watch on YouTube).

What Mom’s Need to Know…

Everything’s included – parts, wires, batteries are included in all every kit
No experience needed – our online lessons to mentor, guide, and teach your kid (seriously, this is a lovely thing)
Safety first – no soldering required, low voltage projects (the mom in me rejoices)

Perfect for ages 10+

Time Required: 1-2.5 hours

Parental involvement: varies based on child

Start Learning With EEME

There are 3 ways to learn with EEME – FREE online lessons, their robotics kit series, and their electronics kit series.

For free online lessons – families create a free account with EEME and use their web browser to interactively build and learn about electronics circuits.

You can purchase Q here.

Each month’s project builds on the previous month’s knowledge and interactive quizzes, questions reinforce kids’ understanding of the why’s and the how’s.

Learn more about the electronics monthly subscriptions here.

Be sure to check out the first half of our Q the Robot project, and be sure to take a look around the EEME site. If you have kids in the 7-10 range, they have a monthly subscription option where each project focuses on a different electronic concept, but otherwise – go for Q!

Past EEME Projects

We’ve worked on several other projects from EEME. If you’re interested in learning more about their monthly subscription program, be sure to check out the below posts for more information:

Project DIY Light Display
Project Genius Light
Project Attraction – building an electromagnet
Project Amp
Project Tentacle
Q the Robot (Zachary’s project)

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Filed Under: Opinions and Reviews, Reviews: My Favorites, STEM 1 Comment

Inside the Home Science Tools Bundle

Download the 21 Winter Science Experiments Ebook

Enter the Giveaway!

Don’t Miss These Too!

Day 4 Giveaway – ends 11/21/19

Crystal Growing Kit

——–> Learn more about the Crystal Growing Kit <———-

Make Your Own Gummies Kit

——–> Learn more about the Make Your Own Gummies Kit <———-

Download the 21 Winter Science Experiments Ebook

Enter the Giveaway!

Spa Science

——–> Learn more about the Spa Science Kit <———-

Cool Blue Light Experiment Kit

——–> Learn more about the Cool Blue Light Kit <———-

Download the 21 Winter Science Experiments Ebook

Enter the Giveaway!

Backyard Naturalist’s Backpack Kit

——–> Learn more about the Nature Backpack <———-

Master Detective Toolkit

——–> Learn more about the Master Detective Toolkit <———-

Download the 21 Winter Science Experiments Ebook

Enter the Giveaway!

Adding the Uno Board

What Mom’s Need to Know…

Start Learning With EEME

Past EEME Projects

Building our Robot

What Mom’s Need to Know…

Start Learning With EEME

Past EEME Projects

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