Science: Grades K - 12
Treasure Box Press Science Kits
Created by: Cindy Hullings and Michelle Eichhorn
For More Information or to Order: www.treasureboxpress.com

Mini-unit and science kit all rolled into one!  Written from a Christian perspective, Treasure Box Press science kits have been developed by two homeschool moms with a passion for getting kids excited about science.  We had the opportunity to review two of their Science Explorations kits, Space: Get to Know the Planets and Mars: The Red Planet.  Each kit includes an easy-to-use Teacher's Guide, which provide lesson goals, lesson prep, vocabulary words, and step-by-step instructions for several hands-on activities along with suggestions of other activities that could be used to extend your study.  Of course, activities are great, but who wants to go hunting for all of the supplies needed?  With busy homeschool moms in mind, the creators of Treasure Box Press science kits have supplied almost everything you will need to complete the activities, leaving just a few inexpensive (and easy to find) items for you to provide.  Also included in each cleverly packaged kit are a few activity sheets and/or a mini activity guide AND a related book or reader. 

Treasure Box Press offers many different kits covering various science topics and geared toward specific grade levels.  Space: Get to Know the Planets is designed with young learners (K - 3) in mind and includes a "sweet" activity - making a solar system with candy as you learn the planets in order!  Even my 6th grader had fun working with this kit.  An important note, each kit has enough supplies for one student to do the activities - this was not a problem for us, we just worked on the hands-on portion as a team.  I am really impressed with the creativity of these kits!  You can tell that a lot of thought went into preparing each science exploration.  Not only are the lessons/activities right on target for their intended grade level, but some of the kits also include unique supplies that last long after you've finished your study.  For instance, after completing the Planets kit, we are left with the book and a cassette, "Space" from Twin Sisters Productions that can both be added to our resource shelf for future reference and enjoyment.

Created for older students (4 - 12), Mars: The Red Planet offers more challenging activities, vocabulary and reading material.  Students use the materials in the kit, and soil that you provide, to explore the surface of a planet by using soil analysis and observation.  As might be expected in a kit designed for older students, there is a bit more writing and the experiments require greater attention to detail.  Although this kit is more challenging academically, the creators have done a great job explaining concepts while encouraging students to have fun with science.

Science Explorations from Treasure Box Press are priced to fit anyone's budget.  In fact, I am amazed at how much you get for such a reasonable price!  Although they can stand alone as a short unit study, the price makes them an inexpensive way to add hands-on fun to more expensive textbook curriculums or enhance a more in-depth unit study.  Each kit is unique and I encourage you to visit their site to see the many explorations Treasure Box Press has to offer!

Making the Grade: A
Cost: $9.95 - $19.95 depending on the kit
Value for Your Homeschool Dollar: 10
Review provided by Cindy Prechtel, Editor