Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.
I want my children to have a well-rounded education. I want to provide them with varying opportunities to apply their learning in everyday situations, as well as provide them with situations that allow my students to learn. One of the best ways to do this is to allow students to engage in STEM activities. This is one of our favorite activities and we were ecstatic to learn that we were given the opportunity to review Middle School STEM Creator Pack (46204) – Grades 6-8 from Pitsco Education.
ABOUT PITSCO EDUCATION
Pitsco Education provides learners with a wide range in products that are used to share its core mission, which is student success. Founded over 40 years ago, Pitsco Education had provided students with the opportunity to use hands-on exploration and problem-solving. Pitsco Education provides products that vary in topic (aerospace, coding, physical science, math, etc.), and grade level (k-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12).
ABOUT Middle School STEM Creator Pack (46204) – Grades 6-8
Middle School STEM Creator Pack (46204) – Grades 6-8 includes all of the materials needed to complete five projects, and complete 15 different challenges. Students work to complete the following projects: Catapults, Balloon Cars, Da Vinci Bridges, Friction Climbers, and Inventions.
he activities available within the Middle School STEM Creator Pack (46204) – Grades 6-8 can be used in the classroom; at camps or co-ops; and at home.
The picture below shows what the kits include.
The cost of the Middle School STEM Creator Pack (46204) – Grades 6-8 is originally $79.95, however, at the time of this review, they were on-sale for $49.95.
HOW DID WE USE IT & WHAT DID WE THINK?
During our review period, we were able to complete four of the project kits: Catapults, Balloon Cars, Da Vinci Bridges, Friction Climbers.
Let me begin by saying that as soon as we received our product, my children were begging to work on it. When we opened the box, we found that each project was contained in its own bag. This made it very organized, as I didn’t have to search through all the materials to find what I needed.
Each project kit included everything that my students needed needed. The instructions were very well written. So much so that my children were able to complete their projects with very little input or direction from me.
We began with Catapults, and my children absolutely loved it. They were able to easily build the catapult, and had fun launching the beads across the driveway. They quickly learned what they needed to do to launch the beads further. The challenges provided them with plenty of opportunities to explore the factors that would affect the length the beads would launch.
The next project that they worked on were the Friction Climbers. Again, this was an easy project for them. The project itself lent us many opportunities to look at friction and how it applies to our everyday lives. I heard my children have very in-depth, scientific conversations, even after the projects were completed. If you click on the image below, you will see a video of my daughter operating the friction climber.
The next project was the Da Vinci bridge. This one proved to be the most difficult for them. They struggled to build the bridge and were very frustrated. It took some guidance and help from me and my husband, and even we struggled.
The last project we completed was the Balloon Cars, and my boys loved this one the best. The loved using scrap wood and boards to launch the cars from. This helped them understand the effect that an incline has on the distance a car with travel. We applied this to real life very easily, as we live in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
We were not able to complete the last project in which students create their own invention. However, I did look through the kit and found that students are supposed to use the materials in the kit, and everyday materials to create an elevator that will transport a small plastic person from the floor to a height of ten inches, a balloon powered tractor that will pull a two-wheeled trailer, and an invention of their own design. I can see how using the concepts learned from the other kids would help students be successful in their designs and creations.
Overall, we LOVED Middle School STEM Creator Pack (46204) – Grades 6-8. My children gained valuable knowledge of physics, physical science, and engineering. I found it very helpful that if directions get lost that can be downloaded by going to this website: https://www.pitsco.com/STEM-Creator-Pack#resources .
FOLLOW UP
Pitsco Education is offering a chance for you to win a free product. Go to the following website to entered into the giveaway. www.Pitsco.com/Creator-Pack-Giveaway
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Home Is Where The Heart Is 
oooh that looks like fun! My boys would have enjoyed that as well!
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