MEL Math is a monthly subscription box for kids 8-12+ who would like to learn more about math in an exciting way. Through hands-on math kits, kids can learn about topics such as probably and statistics while experiencing real-life applications. Each month contains a new experiment and math lesson for kids to dive into, and will contain everything they need to safely and easily complete at home.
This month we reviewed the "How to Never Lose Kit" from MEL Math.
ACTIVE DEAL: Get 10% off discount to the first box
CODE: PART10
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
MEL Math: "How to Never Lose"
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If you have read any of my other reviews, you may know I work in education. Between my background as a lab scientist and the fact that I just spent an entire semester working with 11th grade students in a Probability and Statistics course, you can bet this box was right up my alley. My own kids are 8 and 10 years old, so when I received this box and noted how they broke down these concepts for my kids' age, I was thrilled! Read below to see what they discovered in this month's box!
Organized neatly by project, all components are packaged in separate baggies and laid out in a really nice way. Hank was really excited to dive in!
MEL Math How to Never Lose Experiments:
Token Toss
The first experiment came with an instruction guide, four tokens, and a recording sheet. All items were high quality and re-useable!
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Extremely simple yet amazingly entertaining, the first experiment really honed in on probability. Hank tossed the four coins over and over again, documenting his results until one of the combinations reached the top of the graph. Interestingly enough, the middle combinations were those that occurred the most. After reading the back of the experiment instructions, we found a pattern in the data, and discovered it was "normal distribution". Hank was intrigued by this finding, and was really excited to move onto the other included projects.
Bean Machine
The second experiment included a Galton board that demonstrates normal distribution piggy backing off of the token experiment. With its help, it demonstrates that falling beads don't scatter randomly. This plays perfectly off the first experiment, and was a blast to make.
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For this experiment we received all of the necessary supplies to create our very own Galton board. We were very impressed with the quality of the materials and the easy-to-follow instructions. Hank was able to put this together entirely on his own and was very proud of his results.
Fighting Chance
The last experiment was actually a game that rounded out this month's math topics perfectly. With a game board, cards, marbles, and score cards, everything we needed to play came in the box.
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We are game addicts in this house, so the last experiment was a very welcomed one. Featuring two different score cards, we found out that games of chance like this one typically give an expected result. Comparing this to a few games we've tried out at the local county fair, we see how results can be skewed!! Ahh the art of probability!!
Final Thoughts - Was This Box Worth It?
Yes! The How to Never Lose box was a total trip! While my son does well with math, he enjoys reading and writing more, so this was a fantastic way to expose him to math in a fun and challenging way that doesn't include memorization or worksheets. Because he is at age where he still enjoys fun and games, this was a perfect fit, and he has really become excited about probability and statistics as a whole.
I also want to note that there are always additional experiments that you can do online with these boxes if your child is so inclined. I have downloaded the app and have found a ton of extra experiments, awards, AR and VR opportunities and more. While we haven't had a ton of extra time to check this out this month, you can bet I will be incorporating some of these components into my at-home summer school for the boys in 9 weeks! (Not that I'm counting or anything!)
The Cost: $39.90
ACTIVE DEAL: Get 10% off discount to the first box
CODE: PART10
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, this box is still available. From MEL Math:
"Your first package will arrive within 2 weeks of registration. Subsequent monthly packages will be delivered within 2 weeks of each monthly charge."
What do you think of MEL Math? Let us know below!
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