We’re back with a new Monday Science Fun Day installment!
(Except, pretend it wasn’t Wednesday when we did this, and it’s not Thursday when I’m posting, m’kay?? M’kay.)
I give you…the Crunch Labs Disc Launcher!
But, first.
The super-fantastic awesomesauce thing about this whole process is that the video actually included an amazing bit of background surrounding the physics principles and engineering/mechanics of the creation.
The videos related to this weekly STEM fun specifically promote this kind of build-on fun and experimentation—and even some challenges to take one—and I foresee A LOT of related engineering fun in our future. :)
But, first.
Let’s back up for a minute and give some context.
It was about three or four years ago—at the start of one summer, when I decided to manufacture random theme days to keep our brains active and engaged—when Monday Science Fun Day was born.
At the time, we looked up random, attainable science experiments online, or purchased kits, and it was all good fun.
Too much fun, apparently.
Because, although I planned to only make it a one summer thing (much like Test Kitchen Tuesdays), the kiddos enjoyed it so much that they just expected to continue with it summer after summer (after summer).
Welp.
All this time later, I’m pretty much tapped out in terms of the simple experiments I can find online. So I’ve had to call in a bit of STEM assistance.
Hence…Crunch Labs!
So.
If you haven’t heard of this dude and his YouTube channel and you have kiddos, you’re probably missing out:
He’s a former NASA engineer who was part of the Mars Rover program, and now he runs a really impressive channel full of allllll the fun science/STEM-based learning you could possibly want. (It’s where our elephant toothpaste videos from month’s experiment originated).
He’s a former NASA engineer who was part of the Mars Rover program, and now he runs a really impressive channel full of allllll the fun science/STEM-based learning you could possibly want. (It’s where our elephant toothpaste videos from month’s experiment originated).
Anywho.
For some time now, he’s had a monthly subscription-based box that can be delivered and assembled. But for the summer, he turned it into a legitimate “camp” experience with a weekly box delivery and associated videos to keep the brain engaged and learning.
Enter: Camp Crunch Labs!
Since we were already fans, this was kind of a no-brainer, though I must admit we were slow to pull the trigger, because it wasn’t cheap for 12 weeks of boxed deliveries to occupy us throughout the summer.
Since we were already fans, this was kind of a no-brainer, though I must admit we were slow to pull the trigger, because it wasn’t cheap for 12 weeks of boxed deliveries to occupy us throughout the summer.
As in, more than $300.
But. I put a lot of thought and effort into keeping the kiddos happy and engaged and learning throughout the summer—even when it just feels like play—and this seemed like a really fantastic way to work in some engineering in a seamless way.
Our first delivery arrived about 10 days ago, but…life.
Obviously, I was sick, and we were gearing up to head out of town. So I tucked the box away, stacked the second one with it when it arrived, and upon our (heinous) return yesterday, when emotions were running high and we NEEDED a diversion, I busted that bad boy out. :)
And we pulled up the video to dig in. :)
My babies were tired, but they were definitely paying attention.
Obviously, I was sick, and we were gearing up to head out of town. So I tucked the box away, stacked the second one with it when it arrived, and upon our (heinous) return yesterday, when emotions were running high and we NEEDED a diversion, I busted that bad boy out. :)
And we pulled up the video to dig in. :)
My babies were tired, but they were definitely paying attention.
The super-fantastic awesomesauce thing about this whole process is that the video actually included an amazing bit of background surrounding the physics principles and engineering/mechanics of the creation.
Honestly, I’ve been learning a ton right alongside the kiddos, and the videos break everything down in an understandable way—and keep it entertaining enough that everybody is engaged. It’s fantastic.
So the first half the video is all about the science behind the concept, and then the second half gets into the instructional nitty-gritty of building each creation.
I lurv these concentration faces. :)
Each weekly delivery comes with an instruction booklet, as well, in case it’s easier to build that way. And I think they’ve done a great, consistent job with the branding.
As I mentioned at the start of this post, the creation for the first weekly delivery was a Disc Flyer, and the engineering component of focus was the flywheel.
It was so fun to test the thing out and see the power behind the battery-operated flywheel and the simple, functional components that optimize the creation.
Little Man even took it one step further for the rest of the day and built his own little domino course. It took many, many tries (and emotional, travel weary meltdowns) before he was successful, but eventually, it worked so that:
I lurv these concentration faces. :)
Each weekly delivery comes with an instruction booklet, as well, in case it’s easier to build that way. And I think they’ve done a great, consistent job with the branding.
As I mentioned at the start of this post, the creation for the first weekly delivery was a Disc Flyer, and the engineering component of focus was the flywheel.
It was so fun to test the thing out and see the power behind the battery-operated flywheel and the simple, functional components that optimize the creation.
Little Man even took it one step further for the rest of the day and built his own little domino course. It took many, many tries (and emotional, travel weary meltdowns) before he was successful, but eventually, it worked so that:
1. He shot the disc at the first domino.
2. The rest of the dominoes toppled as planned.
3. The last domino knocked the ping-pong ball off the console and at the right angle to bounce into the cup.
The videos related to this weekly STEM fun specifically promote this kind of build-on fun and experimentation—and even some challenges to take one—and I foresee A LOT of related engineering fun in our future. :)
So much fun that we actually completed the second box today and had even more fun (I’ll post it tomorrow).
Better yet—the third box arrived today, and the kiddos are PUMPED to tackle it mañana…after which, we’ll finally be current and will have to wait until next week for the fourth delivery.
So a big, giant, YAY, for a really coolio Monday Science Fun Day that will continue on and on for a dozen installments!
So…stay tuned. :)
Happy Almost Friday, peeps!
Over and out.
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