Thames & Kosmos Physics Workshop

I ordered this for use in homeschooling two girls, ages 11 and 9. We just started using it, and so far, it looks like it will be a valuable component of my physics curriculum. I do the think the experiments tend to build upon each other in some place and thus require somewhat of a consecutive order. However, I'm sure a person can pick through here and there if one had the time. There are other, more thorough reviews on the structure of it. I mainly wanted to say that, in the kit we received, the motor box (an essential part of the kit) was not working correctly, as the motor was spinning but not fully engaging with the axle inserted into the side of the box. I simply called the phone number, which I found on their site, within one minute was connected with a LIVE ENGLISH SPEAKING PERSON, briefly explained the problem, gave my address, and should receive a new part within a week. Where do you get customer service like THAT anymore? So I thought I would take some of the time that COULD have been spent getting through an automated phone system, hassling with an outsourced customer service rep who, after arguing with me for 10 minutes, would tell me to return the kit at my inconvenience... and spend that time letting potential customers know that this is a quality product and a good company to deal with.Edit: Well, after looking again at the other reviews, maybe I should expound a little. My girls LOVE building the structures, and so far have had no problem doing that, by themselves, from the detailed pictures provided. I have been reading the lessons in the manual to them, and honestly, this workshop, including the accompanying narrative, could be an entire curriculum in and of itself. I had compared it to the physics textbook we have been working in, and this workshop provides excellent coverage of the physics subject. It is NOT just a bunch of experiments. The manual thoroughly explains all of the concepts involved, in very understandable language and an engaging manner. As a longtime homeschooler, I would consider this to very usable as a curriculum, especially for hands-on learners, and a lot of fun, as well.

I bought this kit to support a home-based learning program for a fifth-grade boy (11 years old). It is EXACTLY what I was looking for - there's the fun of building the labs, then the fun of trying the experiments. The included documentation is very good, as it describes not only how to build the equipment, but also how to conduct the experiments, and it also discusses the related scientific concepts. I'd suggest that parents/educators read through everything ahead of time if they plan to use this kit as a teaching tool, to become familiar with the flow of the material. You can easily jump around between topics within the book, as the labs generally do not depend on each other (with the exception of force scale).The suggested age range for this kit is 8 - 12, but I'd be inclined to increase the upper limit, as some of the concepts are clearly in middle school territory.

This is a very nice toy, strong and well built. Seems to be a very good learning tool for a curious mind. The parts are not too small and are very sturdy. They fit as they are supposed to and produce strong structures. The booklet that comes with it explains the physical principles at a secondary school level and so they are easy to follow. The instructions for building the experiments however, are not as great. They tell you that you can go to their website to get more help building them, but that means that you need a computer with you whenever you want to build something from the booklet. The axes for the pulleys are not supported by ball bearings and so they will introduce friction to the system. I needed to build a small proof of concept for a larger experiment and so I did't need extra instructions.

My nephews down in Philadelphia are very smart and love toys that require thinking or assembly. Amazon should feature more educational toys! I am running out of options for Xmas this year!

I purchased this as a birthday gift for my 7-year-old grandson. We previously gave him the Thames & Kosmos Remote Control Machines for Christmas. He did all the projects in that book several times and began creating his own machines.When he opened the Physics Workshop and looked at a few of the pictures in the book, he began building his own variations of those ideas. In the days following his birthday party, he settled down and, with his dad, read the description of a project and then constructed it.When his dad was a boy, he always helped me take things apart, fix them and put them back together. By the time he was 12, I was helping him take things apart, repairing them and putting them back together. I did some of the same with my father.