Subscription Box Archives - Eva Varga


November 12, 2016

My son has a growing interest in computers and programming. It was thereby no surprise when he recently shared that he wanted to hear the Boy Scout Programming Merit Badge, which debuted in 2013. We thereby reached out to the computer science teacher at the local high school and inquired if she would be willing to serve as his merit badge counselor.

There are several activities required of the scout to earn the Programming Merit Badge. Requirement number 5 requires scouts to choose three different programming languages and development environments. Then, write, debug, and demonstrate a functioning program in each to their counselor.

This post contains affiliate links.

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Programming with Creation Crate

The first project Jeffrey chose to undertake was coding in C++ with Creation Crate, a monthly subscription kit a monthly subscription box to help you learn about electronics.

Creation Crate is hosting a giveaway for a 1 year subscription to Creation Crate this month. The contest will run until the end of November 24. Enter to win!

The Creation Crate kit includes both the hardware of electronics and the programming aspect. Each monthly delivery comes in a sturdy box with all of the components wrapped carefully in bubble wrap. Because of the programming required, you will also need a computer or laptop to download and use the Arduino software. The intended age range is accurate, I would say, especially if kids have electronics-building experience (or a parent nearby). The projects start relatively simple and get harder as you go through the boxes.

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When the Creation Crate kit arrived, Geneva was also very intrigued. They thereby agreed to collaborate, dividing the work between themselves. Geneva carefully assembled the hardware, whereby Jeffrey focused on the coding. This was his first time programming any sort of electronics with actual software code, as opposed to just circuits, so it was both challenging and fun.

It wasn’t always easy, however. When Jeffrey ran into trouble with the code, it took several adults to overlook everything before we caught the errors in the code. He enjoyed the process so much he is interested in trying additional Arduino projects on his own.

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This was a fantastic box and perfect for anyone who wants to tinker with Arduino projects but isn’t sure where to start. This box isn’t just for kids – it’s suitable for anyone age 12+ who wants to learn or enhance their electronics and coding skills.

With a longer term subscription the price lowers and shipping is free worldwide. EVERY BOX comes with an Uno R3, which is a $25 board. EVERY BOX. This is great as it means that you will not have to disassemble the projects you’ve previously completed.

Don’t forget, Creation Crate is hosting a giveaway for a 1 year subscription to Creation Crate this month. The contest will run until the end of November 24. Enter to win!

 



July 8, 2016

In June Groovy Lab in a Box teamed up with Popular Mechanics for Kids and created the popular Groovy Lab subscription box What’s the Matter? The kids and I recently had the opportunity to review this box and just love everything about it.

Groovy Lab Subscription BoxDisclosure: The links in this blog post are affiliate links. 

What’s Inside June’s Groovy Lab Subscription Box – What’s the Matter?

The first of three Popular Mechanics boxes to launch, What’s the Matter? centers around the scientific properties of ice. It is featured in the June issue of Popular Mechanics for Kids.

My son loves unpacking videos and was eager to humor me for an Instagram sneak peak. Here’s a quick look at everything that was inside the Groovy Lab subscription box

The Groovy Lab subscription box is packed with all the materials you’ll need to do the lab activities. The What’s the Matter kit guides kids through an investigation of the states of matter (gas, liquid and solid) and teaches them about the properties of ice. Each monthly kit comes with an engineering challenge and all the materials needed to complete the project, including a groovy lab notebook that outlines all the activity procedures, asks leading questions, and provides a space for your young STEMist to record their observations.Groovy Lab Subscription Box "What's the Matter?"

Groovy Lab in a Box was named a winner of the Popular Mechanics 2014 Toy Awards, which recognizes the best new toys of the year with a heavy emphasis on STEM-related skills and outdoor or imaginative play. Recipients of the Toy Awards encourage problem solving, inspire creativity, spark imagination, and spur mischief. And they’re fun!

Our Favorite What’s the Matter Activity

There are several well designed activities in the Groovy Lab subscription box. Each activity is purposeful a it develops student understanding of the material to ensure success in the culminating activity. This was our favorite activity, the design challenge whereby students were asked to design the lighting of a “groovy” ice hotel and build a portable lantern out of ice.

This was a fun challenge to undertake and my daughter delighted in brainstorming ideas and then following through with her vision. She chose an aluminum tea tin for the structure as it was rectangular and inside placed a small measuring cup (a little larger than a shot glass) for the interior space for the light. She used botanicals and colored layers for appeal.groovylanterns

There were a couple of small challenges along the way, the biggest of which was getting the lantern out of the tin once it had frozen. The rim of the tin was indented a little to accommodate a lid and it was thereby necessary to melt more of the external side of the lantern than she had desired. Not deterred, “I want to do this again!”

July’s Groovy Lab Subscription Box – Out To Launch!

Do your STEMists love catapults? The second of three Popular Mechanics boxes, July’s Out to Launch is the perfect fit for them! In the Out To Launch box, your children will learn about the forces of catapults and things that are elastic.

The Engineering Design Challenge will test their engineering skills as they build several types of catapults, using only supplies from their Groovy Lab in a Box. As always, the Out To Launch box will have a groovy lab notebook where your kids can read about the investigations and design challenge. Plus, all subscribers get access to the Beyond…in a Box web portal for additional learning and fun.

Be sure to start your subscription today with FREE SHIPPING so you can receive “Out To Launch” before it ships on July 28th. Save $10 on a 3, 6, or 12 month subscription to Groovy Lab in a Box.