AD – GIFTED | It’s a very sad day today, as this is our last review for the amazing Letterbox Lab science subscription box series that Flora’s been revelling in throughout her time in Year 5 and Year 6. Tailored to the KS2 National Curriculum for STEM and STEAM, this series of KS2 fun science experiments for kids has made learning outside the classroom so much fun, especially during the pandemic. They’ve definitely reinforced and expanded her passion and curiosity for all things Science, Technology and Engineering. Not Maths though, but 3 out of 4 isn’t too bad! So, without further preamble, are you ready to take a dive into chemistry with us in Go Forth and Science* this one final time?
Contents
Letterbox Lab
For those who haven’t read our previous reviews, Letterbox Lab is a series of 12 linked science kits with full instructions and tools (you only need to add water for some of the experiments). Online resources and videos accompany every box, plus some suggestions for further fun science experiments and extension activities. The Explore box (for age 6+) and the Investigate box (for age 8+) both support the UK primary school curricula, and one off boxes start at £11.25 including P&P. And it’s a very flexible subscription that you can pause or cancel at any time.
Go Forth and Science
Go Forth and Science is the twelfth in the Investigate box series, and we’ll be creating colourful concoctions, discovering the power of oxygen, generating heat, and investigating materials that have changed the world. This time we had five different fun science activities, with the usual Messiness star rating at the beginning of each one. This last box had a lot to live up to, so how did we get on?
- Stained Glass – 2 x petri dishes, 2 x bottles of sodium silicate, bottle of copper sulphate, bottle of iron sulphate, bottle of magnesium sulphate, cocktail stick, safety gloves, safety goggles and measuring cylinder from Box 1, metal spatula from Box 3, some water.
- Hand on Heat – bottle of copper sulphate, bottle of iron filings, sachet of salt, plastic bag, safety gloves, safety googles, measuring cylinder, some water.
- Shake on It – bottle of vitamin C powder, bottle of copper sulphate solution, bottle of methylene blue solution, safety gloves, A and B stickers, safety goggles, measuring cylinder, the test tube rack and 4 x test tubes from Box 3, some water.
- Life Atomic – salt sachet, sugar sachet, tea light, safety goggles, metal spatula, heatproof plate, test tube rack, test tube, lighter, some water.
- Moulded for Greatness – 4 x wheels, 2 x dowels, plastic straw, bag of plastic beads, metal spatula or tweezers, hot water, a heatproof bowl, scissors, the box.
- A 24-page instruction booklet, a safety sheet, a bonus Space Projector torch gift, a Platinum Investigator Certificate, a British Science Association Crest Award Certificate, and an Investigate Box Graduate badge.
Stained Glass
Flora had to add 10ml water to a petri dish and stir in one of the bottles of sodium silicate, effectively making liquid glass. Then she added one drop of copper sulphate, which instead of staying liquid, turned into a little blue green blob, or copper silicate. She did the same with the iron sulphate and magnesium sulphate, testing dropping them from different heights. Dropping close to made blobs, dropping from a height made more of a splat (technical term).
After discovering the different colours and shapes she could make, Flora got more creative with the second petri dish. Her design is based on an underwater scene: copper seaweed, blue fish, and white jellyfish. At the time of writing, we’re waiting for both petri dishes’ contents to harden, so we can put her chemical art on display 🙂
Hand on Heat
Remember our thermochromism experiment with colour changing slime in Box 11? This is similar, in that mixing copper sulphate, iron filings, salt and water together in a little plastic bag not only makes copper, it generates heat.
Iron sticks to copper sulphate, leaving copper behind and as the copper forms, it releases energy in the form of heat. Rather like the elastic bands releasing energy and pinging in Box 7. Can you see the condensation on the inside of the bag, caused by the steam and the fizzing chemicals? Also, fun fact: the bag gets hot really quickly which is why Flora’s holding it by the tip!
Shake on It
The third of our fun science experiments involved catalysts and oxidisation. First Flora had to measure 15ml water into two test tubes, then add 4 drops of methylene blue to each one. Next she had to make some Vitamin C solution and measure 3ml into test tube A, and 3ml copper sulphate solution into test tube B.
After a minute, she mixed the two solutions together – can you guess what happened?
The Vitamin C and copper sulphate have acted as a catalyst and reacted with the methylene blue to make it lose its colour. But what happens if we give the test tube a really good shake? (Yes, we did screw the lid on first, thank you for asking, I don’t to have to redecorate my kitchen).
We have discovered oxidation. Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant but its reaction with methylene blue can be reversed by mixing it with the oxygen in the space at the top of the test tube. So the liquid turns blue again. However, if you stop shaking, it will revert to clear, although you can keep repeating the experiment to your heart’s content – or your arm gets tired. Like all good science experiments, we did another test, this time with less copper sulphate to speed up the reaction, so the second tube turned from blue to clear slightly more slowly.
Life Atomic
Did you know we are all made up from two types of chemicals? Organic and inorganic. This activity was discovering the most important chemical in living things, carbon.
When you hold the sugar in the flame of a tea light for a minute or two, you heat up sugar, and get rid of the hydrogen and oxygen, leaving the carbon behind. You also make caramel, but as this isn’t a cookery post, let’s move on…
On its own, carbon is black – think coal or the graphite in a pencil – and chemicals containing carbon are organic. Unlike salt, which has no carbon, is inorganic, and doesn’t react to heat. Side note: after making this tiny amount of caramel, Flora now has a yen to make her own toffee apples.
Moulded for Greatness
The last of our fun science experiments was another heating activity, this time with thermoplastic beads. Wherever you stand on recycling and sustainability, plastics are definitely a group of materials that have changed the world. Flora had to mix the beads with some very hot water until they turned transparent and could be moulded into a ball. (We did have to microwave them in short bursts though, because we’re yes, we are that impatient).
And once the ball was cool enough to handle, Flora could pick it up and play with it.
Because plastic is denser than water, a large clump of beads will always sink. So the next challenge was to try making something that might float, while the plastic was still warm. Ta-dah!
OK, not the best-shaped boat in the world but nautical enough to prove the point. Once Flora had moulded her boat, she ran it under cold water to set the shape. Gravity pulls things down but water pushes back, creating buoyancy – the more surface area there is, the more likely something is to float. And I’m sure every boat passenger is relieved to hear that. Anyway, back to the thermoplastic beads, which set without a permanent chemical reaction, so we can heat them up again and make something else.
Do you remember testing air resistance with Para Pico in Box 7? Air pushes against moving things and the last part of our experiment involved making a car and testing it to see what shape goes fastest. Hint: think about why racing cars are the shape they are. That’s right, flat at the front so the air flows over rather than pushing against them, allowing them to go faster. Racing stripes down the sides are, of course, optional. But the real beauty of thermoplastics is they’re not single use, you can heat them up again and again to make new shapes. Which is very handy while scientists look to invent new materials that are as useful as plastics, but that don’t damage the environment, isn’t it?
Final thoughts on these fun science experiments to do at home
We carried out all the activities in our Go Forth and Science box over the course of a rainy Saturday afternoon. Flora’s favourite fun science experiments were Hand on Heat and Life Atomic – although she plans on experimenting with the thermoplastic beads again soon 🙂 Note: Flora likes to live dangerously, so chose not to use her gloves or goggles for any of the activities, but I’m very much not recommending this for anyone else’s kids… Big thank you again to Letterbox Lab for our twelfth and final Investigate box, we can’t believe it’s our last one. But it is, and as Letterbox Lab is an accredited British Science Association partner, guess who’s now the proud owner of a fabulous British Science Association CREST SuperStar award for completing all 12 boxes – go Flora!
Letterbox Lab Investigate Series Highlights
We’ve really loved our bi-monthly dives into hands on fun science experiments for kids, so it feels only right to share Flora’s favourites from the last two years:
- Box 1 – Marvellous Mixtures: Squirmy Worms – exploring atoms, molecules and alginate chains.
- Box 2 – Science up your Sleeve: Write with Light – luminous paint – and Disappearing Water – not getting wet when a bowl of water is tipped over your head.
- Box 3 – Magneto Slime: Cloud in a Bottle – making coloured liquids sparkly in the light.
- Box 4 – Rocket Fuel: Rocket Balloon – racing balloons around the kitchen – and Fizz Rocket – lift off with a Berocca tablet.
- Box 5 – Let It Glow: Glow with the Flow – learning about quantum mechanics.
- Box 6 – Inner Space: Robo Hand – aka THE CLAW, that even our cat loved.
- Box 7 – Over The Top: Para Pico – parachuting down the stairs.
- Box 8 – Bubble Ahoy: Cububble – making SQUARE bubbles!
- Box 9 – Letterbox Rox: Creating Crystals III – farting rocks – and Crystal Balls – invisible balls.
- Box 10 – Waste of Space: Orbital – the wailing balloon – and You Are Here – making her own orrery.
- Box 11 – Top Secret: Tea Light My Fire – disappearing water.
- Box 12 – Go Forth and Science: Hand on Heat – making copper – and Life Atomic – making caramel.
Truly the end of an era then – but I can confirm she’ll be joining the Letterbox Lab Graduate Club, and is looking forward to trying some more exciting new kids subscription boxes in the future. She’s always been curious about how things work, and has been recently been identified as Most Able in Science, Technology, Music, and Maths at school too. But I think Letterbox Lab has played a large part in making science really fun for her, as well as educational, over the last two years. And if I were a gambling girl, I’d think it’s pretty safe bet to say some sort of career in STEM awaits her in the future!
Did you enjoy learning more about making glass, generating heat, and moulding with plastic this time? Which experiment is your favourite? Do you know any kids who’d love to Go Forth and Science – or discover more about science in general – with one of these truly amazing subscription boxes?
* This post features gifted items but all opinions are our own (please see my Disclaimer).
Thank you for sharing this! Although my daughter is too young for this I’ll be definitely recommend for my nephews who I know will benefit from this especially in the summer holidays. I honestly love activities through the door!
I’m sure your nephews will love these boxes – and hopefully your daughter too, in time!
These science experiments look so fun! This would be perfect for my sister who’s 10, she loves science so I’m sure she would love this box, it looks so fun I even want to try it! X
They are so much fun, and I can guarantee you’ll love them just as much as your little sister 🙂 x
These experiments look like so much fun. I love activities that are both educational and entertaining.
Antonia || Sweet Passions
Oh, these activities definitely tick all the boxes!
These are incredible ideas. I studied Forensic and Medical science at uni and this would be a great way to enstore the love of science for my little one.
Wow, that sounds amazing, what a combination! And yes, I’m sure these boxes would enthuse your little one 🙂
I’ve absolutely loved this series of posts and reviews about Letterbox Lab from you and Flora. Kinda sad that it’s ending myself! This one looked fun; so cool about the oxidization from shaking the tube! I love what you said about Flora living dangerously too haha! xxx
Thank you so much, Jenny – that’s a great compliment! And yes, she certainly knows her own mind, haha! xxx
I always love your posts about science experiments to do with kids, and with the holidays coming up this will really help parents! Thanks for sharing x
Thank you, Eleanor – and yes, I certainly hope so! x
Aw this was lovely to read! What a fun activity to do with your kids and it’s great they can learn at the same time x
Thank you, Della, yes, it’s just as much fun for big kids! x
It’s amazing how long Flora has been doing the letter box lab! The box sounds amazing and like it would be great fun to get kids engrossed in science. I’m definitely going to think about getting little bear into this, he loves to find our how things work and enjoys getting creative so I think this would be great for him. I like the stained glass one, that would be my favourite to do.
I know, I can’t believe it’s two years, time flies! I think LB would love these boxes too – the Explore one would be perfect for him to start with, all about mixing colours and light 🙂 x
This is an interesting experiment activity for kids to do. It’s good that your daughter likes this kinda activities. It will make her more knowledgeable than other kids.
They are so interesting – and yes, she’s already quoting science stuff to her teachers, haha!
I always love to read these posts! They come second to your garden updates, but really love to see what experiments you try. The sained glass one sounds like a lot of fun and also moulding plastic! I am sure I would have loved having to try something like this when I was younger x
Aw, thank you, Cristina, that’s very kind! Yes, I wish Letterbox Lab had been around when I was younger too 🙂 x
This looks like a fun experiment Lisa. My kid sisters would love this. I have heard of Letterbox Lab and they are amazing. I am a science student so I especially loved the Shake on It experiment. The one that involved catalysts and oxidization. I have a question tho. In the Shake on it experiments, is there a possibility of the chemicals exploding?
Oh that’s interesting, I didn’t know you had a science background – glad you like Letterbox Lab! And in answer to your question, no, there’s no danger, Letterbox Lab carry out rigorous testing and would never send anything out that could explode in a child’s face.
These science letterboxes sound seriously cool! I found science so hard during primary school so these would have been perfect for me 🙂 x
I know, life’s just not fair, I would have loved them too! x
Great post! It looks like they’re some really fun experiments here. I think my cousin would really love the stained glass experiment so I’ll definitely do that to her when I next see her! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, there are indeed – hope your cousin thinks so too 🙂
This is such a cool experiment and I want to have a go at it myself! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
I know what you mean! x
I love homemade caramel, but toffee apples sound as ambitious as they are delicious!
The chemical art also sounds fun; love the stained-glass effect just a little bit makes and can imagine more could result in a full-on creative outburst.
Thanks so much for sharing the last of your experiments; I particularly enjoyed your video additions. Nothing like a great visual!
Thank you, Jaya, that’s very kind – I do think the videos add to our reviews, so I’m very happy you do too!
That’s unlucky it’s the last one. It’s always fun doing these with kids and being careful.
Yes, it’s a sad day, we’ve loved all these experiments.
Hi Lisa,
Another great science lesson. And all of these lessons seem to have been great fun – for you and Flora! The only fun I recall in Chemistry lessons at school was when I (accidentally!) mixed the wrong chemicals together creating a noxious cloud of gas that resulted in half of the school being evacuated! That did not go down well with the teacher. Not at all.
It’ll be interesting to see how Flora’s future school experiments compare to these.
Oh Richie, I sincerely hope Flora’s school experiments don’t turn out like yours, haha! Thank you for sharing though 🙂
This subscription box is amazing. I remember how fun the experiments from the previous months were and these look like they were just as great.
I think plastic is great if it’s used in a sustainable way, as in to make long lasting products with it, not waste it on single-use plastic stuff.
All the boxes are so good, really well thought out and engaging. We are going to miss them! And yes, totally agree about long-lasting plastic too.
Amazing ideas as the kids learn the best on the practical way. Thanks for recommending..
They do indeed – and thank you 🙂
Lovely post! These experiments sound fun and it’s great how she is learning as well! The making caramel experiment sounds so cool and thanks for sharing this series!
Thank you – they are fab experiments, we feel very sad we’ve come to the end now!
It sounds and looks amazing. A great way to expand knowledge and also creativity while having fun. 🙂
♡ ☯ ☮ P&P style ☮ ☯ ♡
Thank you, yes, they are indeed 🙂
This is so awesome. I’d have loved this as a kid on the summer holidays! I love a good experiment. This package is excellent for learning and doing something different while at home!
Rosie
They really are – and yes, they knock the chemistry sets available when I was a kid right out the park!
I remember when I was younger and my mother would do science experiments with me. All of these experiments are so creative and great. I know if I was younger I would totally do this with my mother.
That’s lovely to hear – my mother wasn’t into science, unfortunately, although if these boxes had been around back then, who knows!
My boys would love this kind of thing! I really like the thermoplastic beads, how fun! It definitely looks like a good subscription 🙂
Hope you are having a nice weekend 🙂 Going to be a busy one for us with two kids birthday parties!
I think this box would be most boys’ dream, the racing car was so much fun – your weekend sounds far more hectic than ours, hope if goes well!
Your daughters name is Flora? That’s beautiful – and it’s so sweet that you named her after something you clearly love. This whole subscription is a great idea. The Stained Glass experiment especially I’d definitely have loved while I was in school! x
mia // https://beautiful-inspiring-creative-life.com/
Ah, thank you, that’s very kind 🙂 And yes, the stained glass was one of my favourites, so creative and so effective!
I remember how I was creating similar experiment with kids at my job and they was so interested and excited for results. Kids love these type of kits because they learn through fun.
http://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com
You are such a good mum, I would have loved mine to do something like this when I was a child!
It’s a bit sad that this is the last Letterbox Lab series box, but it’s great you & Flora enjoyed them.
I liked the stained glass experiment because there is the creativity aspect
I know, it feels like the end of an era (well, 2 years is a long time!) but we’ve loved them, it’s been so worthwhile 🙂
Thanks for sharing, its so sad that this is the last box, its so good that your daughter has enjoyed them, I do hope that my nepwhew might try these one day 🙂
I know, it feels like the end of an era – I hope your nephew will enjoy them too if he does try them 🙂
So fun!! My girls would love this, thank you for sharing!
I’m sure they would, thank you 🙂