Thursday, June 3, 2010

Learning Spaces/Giveaway: Science Centers

Esmé's Mom here.

It has been raining and raining and raining here.  I am REALLY ready for summer to actually arrive so we can enjoy all these daylight hours.  In the meantime, we're just wanting to cuddle up under blankets rather than face the downpour and get the schoolhouse roof done...

This week we're focusing on science centers.  If you've been following our blog's Motion, Matter, Mitosis, and Me feature, you know we put a big emphasis on science.  I've drooled over centers like this one at Whimsical Ways - if only I had the space for such a thing!

So I was very excited to see this Modular Science Center at Guidecraft!  It's got four science units that compactly fit on top of each other, as well as a mobile base with casters so we can move it around easily.

And we've got it set up in our tiny little house!  It's stationed right by Esmé's bed, where she can engage with it on her own terms, and we move it out into the hallway when we want to focus on one of the units.

Before going on, let me say that this arrived very compactly packed and far sooner than I thought it would - I was quite impressed.  It was fairly easy to put together.  We used a cordless screwdriver to screw the casters onto the base, but the package included everything else needed for assembly.  Sturdy, light, and easy to move around - just what I was looking for.

Let's take a tour, shall we?  Since we're doing a unit study on whales at the moment, we set it up with a beach/ocean type of theme.  Here it is in the hall, with Esmé and lamb taking a close look at the beach scene in the habitat unit.


Nothing live in there (yet), but we've got plans!  This works great for dioramas, etc.  Caution:  It can get a little messy if you put sand in.  (We used corn meal to look like sand - since we haven't gotten to the beach yet.)


Moving on to the plant and grow unit - we're saving the actual plants for winter, when we don't have to take care of the plants in the yard!  In the meantime, it works great as a sensory tub.  And I've got a great idea for an earthworm farm, too.


For now, we've filled it with glass rocks, shells, plastic fish, and water...  Maybe some live seaweed or algae would complete it!


Here's a another favorite (actually, they are all favorites) - the magnifier unit.  It makes EVERYTHING big! Esmé checked a bunch of her stuffed animals with it.


We've set up rocks and shells for closer investigation under the magnifier.


And finally, the touch and see unit, with a hand opening on one side, and acrylic view panel on the other.  So you can start by feeling the object and trying to guess what it is, and then look at it from the other side.


For the touch and see unit, we started with a big shell and some sandpaper.  And had lots more fun changing the items around and making Mom guess!


Are we pleased with the product?  Absolutely!  The delivery, the quality, the portability, the fun, and the learning opportunities make for a terrific addition to our learning space.

Guidecraft has a full line educational toys and furniture that would be terrific for your child's learning space!  Head on over and take a look...

---------------
Guess what?!  Guidecraft is sponsoring a giveaway for one of you, too!  One reader will win a Modular Science Center.

Mandatory entry:
  • Visit Guidecraft, then comment here with another product you absolutely love!
Additional entries (leave a separate comment for each entry):
US entries only.  You have until June 19 to enter.  Winner will be randomly drawn and notified via email, so make sure I have a way to contact you.   

Thanks to Guidecraft for providing two Modular Science Centers:  one for our review and one for the giveaway.

177 comments:

ShEiLa said...

The science center is awesome. I wonder what Miss Esme will be when she grows up???? Hmmmm... I guess it will be anything she wants.

ToOdLeS.

coliebear said...

I like the 4 in 1 dramatic play theater.
lenz.nicole(at)gmail(dot)com

CD said...

I like the high rise step up crayolaswap at hotmail dot com

Tabathia B said...

I love the creation station art center
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

CD said...

I follow Guidecraft on facebook. crayolaswap at hotmail dot com

Tabathia B said...

follow guidecraft on twitter (chelleb36)
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

Tabathia B said...

guidecraft fb fan (michelle barrett)
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

Tabathia B said...

follow guidecraft blog
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

CD said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tabathia B said...

google follower
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

CD said...

I follow your blog under cdewitt_23 crayolaswap at hotmail dot com

Tabathia B said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/15342705389
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

Stephanie said...

All In One Play Kitchen
tvollowitz at aol dot com

Jessi said...

I love their pirate and table chairs! I also love their puppet center.

jessilovesjetter (at) yahoo (dot) com

Jessi said...

I am a fan of guidecraft on facebook

Jessica Jetter

Jessi said...

I follow guidecraft on twitter @zookeeperjess

Sarah G. said...

I love the Safari Clothes Tree

Soggy Cereal Mom said...

I love the SAND TRAY. Awesome Montessori style learning toy.

mommieseatsoggycereal at gmail dot com

Soggy Cereal Mom said...

Following GuideCraft on twitter: azmarry
mommieseatsoggycereal at gmail dot com

Soggy Cereal Mom said...

Facebook fan/liker of Guidecraft.
Mary-Frances C.
mommieseatsoggycereal at gmail dot com

Soggy Cereal Mom said...

Following Guidecraft's blog via GFC.
mommieseatsoggycereal at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I like the high rise step up.

Anonymous said...

Follow Guidecraft on Twitter: rhoneygee

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

Domestic Diva said...

I"d love a guidecraft kitchen helper. Great stuff!

maxfate said...

My kids would love the Storytime Puppet Theater.

maxfrostfate@gmail.com

maxfate said...

I'm following Guidecraft on Twitter (maxfate)

maxfrostfate@gmail.com

maxfate said...

I'm following Guidecraft's Blog with Google Connect (maxfate)

maxfrostfate@gmail.com

maxfate said...

I'm an email subscriber of Mozi Esmé.

maxfrostfate@gmail.com

maxfate said...

Tweet (maxfate)
http://twitter.com/maxfate/status/15350863172

maxfrostfate@gmail.com

Denise S. said...

I love the Guidecraft Kitchen Helper.

Denise S. said...

GFC follower

Misty said...

CONSTRUCT-IT EARLY BUILDER 160 PCS is my favorite item.

Misty said...

I requested to be their friend on Facebook.

Misty said...

I subscribe to MoziEsme on Google Reader.

Misty said...

I subscribe to MoziEsme on Google Reader.

Misty said...

I also subscribe to Guidecraft through Google Reader.

Beth said...

I love the Mission Table and Chairs Set.

debbie said...

I love the kitchen helper.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

wildcat32 said...

I like the 4 in 1 Dramatic Play Theater.
monster6236 at gmail dot com

wildcat32 said...

follow Guidecraft on twitter @5memb
monster6236 at gmail dot com

Shannon said...

the all in one play kitchen is awesome!

mummashan @ yahoo . com

Hippie4ever said...

LOVE the School Library Cart silenttributary(at)yahoo(dot)com

Hippie4ever said...

following Guidecraft's blog silenttributary(at)yahoo(dot)com

Hippie4ever said...

Liked Guidecraft on FB Kirsten J H silenttributary(at)yahoo(dot)com

Hippie4ever said...

following Guidecraft on twitter hippie4ever2 silenttributary(at)yahoo(dot)com

Hippie4ever said...

email subscriber and blog follower of Mozi Esme' silenttributary(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shay said...

visited Guidecraft and I really love their Papagayo Table & Chairs Set!

Thanks for hosting!

nazelnutz@msn.com

Shay said...

Following Guidecraft on twitter.
(nazelnutz)

nazelnutz@msn.com

Shay said...

Fanned Guidecraft on Facebook.
FB name: sherrie seruntine cruson

nazelnutz@msn.com

Shay said...

Following Guidecraft's blog via google connect. (shay) & Networked blogs. (sherrie seruntine cruson)

nazelnutz@msn.com

Shay said...

Following you via google connect. (shay)

nazelnutz@msn.com

Jolanthe said...

their rolling bookshelf is on my list of 'must haves'. Seriously ~ what homeschool mom couldn't use that? :)

Jolanthe said...

I follow them on twitter.

Beth said...

I would love the School Bus Playtime Loft but my kids would outgrow it too soon and we would have no where to put it! The more sensible choice would be the double-sided bookcase!

Beth said...

Google friend
baileypoo [at] gmail [dot] com

Beth said...

twitter follower of Guidecraft as monkeyswashtub

baileypoo [at] gmail [dot] com

Beth said...

Google Friend of Guidecraft baileypoo[at]gmail [dot]com

Katie @ Frugal Femina said...

I love this set: http://www.guidecraft.com/product/126580/G85502/_/Mission_Table_%26_Chair_Set

Alice said...

I like the magneetoes

alice.lapray (at) gmail dot com

Alice said...

I follow your blog.
alice.lapray (at) gmail dot com

evelester @ gmail.com said...

I love the kitchen helper stand, my daughter would love that! The science center would be perfect since I plan on homeschooling her!

Martha said...

we need the 4-1 FLIPPING TABLE TOP EASEL here.mavans@scottsboro.org

Anonymous said...

Love the All In One Play Kitchen. thanks
trishbazin(at)yahoo.com

Helpful Housewife said...

Love this! Its on the wishlist at our school. I have also wanted the Kitchen Helper for a long time. Thanks for the opportunity! bowtiesnbutterflies@live.com

Jennifer said...

The High Rise Step-Up would be handy in my house jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com

Jennifer said...

I follow Guidecraft on Twitter (@jkgorcery) jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com

Jennifer said...

I follow Guidecraft's blog jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com

Jennifer said...

I follow via google friend connect jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com

Jennifer said...

I tweeted: https://twitter.com/jkgorcery/status/15602521871 jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com

daunfamily said...

I love the dramatic play theater
daunfamily@yahoo.com

daunfamily said...

•Follow Guidecraft on Twitter
daunfamily@yahoo.com

daunfamily said...

•Fan Guidecraft on Facebook
daunfamily@yahoo.com

daunfamily said...

•Follow Guidecraft's Blog
daunfamily@yahoo.com

daunfamily said...

follow you, feel free to follow me back :)
daunfamily@yahoo.com

Jennifer said...

I looked all over the site and can barely decide what I would buy if money were no object. Maybe an art easel/station or the dress up tower.

Jennifer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jennifer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jennifer said...

Following Guide Craft on Twitter.

Jennifer said...

Following Guide Craft on FB.

Jennifer said...

I also followed their blog.

Jennifer said...

I already follow you on FB, Twitter, and Google!

Jennifer said...

Tweeted - https://twitter.com/familymusings/status/15644014075

Leigh said...

What a COOL thing!!! I also really like their "library cart" - I'd love one for my homeschool room!

Leigh said...

I now follow you on Google friends!

Leigh said...

and I follow guidecraft on twitter...

Leigh said...

and facebook!

Anonymous said...

I like the 4 in 1 dramatic play theater
babybunny1983 AT comcast DOT net

Anonymous said...

I LOVE the science center that is up for giveaway but if i had to pick something else: the pink and white dollhouse book case

one frugal lady said...

I love the kitchen helper!
onecheaplady@yahoo.com

Laura O in AK said...

The science center is quite neat (and something I hadn't seen before.)

Another product they have is the double sided bookcase. As avid readers, we never have enough shelves for books in the house!

lauraoneill69 at yahoo dot com

Laura O in AK said...

following Guidecraft on FB

lauraoneill69 at yahoo dot com

Stephanie said...

MOON & STARS STACK SHELVES - adorable
tvollowitz at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

I like the creation station art center

creatingchldhoodmemories (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

I absolutely love the All In One Play Kitchen! stef4916 @ yahoo . com

Unknown said...

I love the canvas book display!
janel_marie at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

like sponsor on facebook
a moms take
janel_marie at yahoo dot com

Valerie McClintick said...

Oh gosh, I'm dying for the art activity cart...what else right? We just snagged the library cart that wheels, and this science center looks like a treat too!

Blessings,

Valerie

busiemommie said...

I also love the 4 in 1 Dramatic Play Theater

busiemommie said...

I subscribe to Mozi Esme via email

wendy wallach said...

I love the kitchen helper.

madamerkf at aol dot com

Megan said...

The Balance Base would be a great one for my house. My two year old tries to do that on his little rocking chair now - this would be much safer :)

Megan said...

I follow Guidecraft on Twitter (@ostmega)

jengd said...

I like the Skyscraper Building Set

AEKZ2 said...

My children would also like the All In One Play Kitchen.

AEKZ2 said...

Email subscriber.

X said...

I love the ART ACTIVITY DESK
kimhigueria at gmail dot com

X said...

following guidecraft on twitter @kimhigueria
kimhigueria at gmail dot com

X said...

fan of guidecraft on fb
kimhigueria at gmail dot com

X said...

tweet!
http://twitter.com/kimhigueria/status/16041561961
kimhigueria at gmail dot com

Linda said...

I like the Discovery Wagon from Haba.
mintstatesportswear(at)juno(dot)com

Stephanie Grant said...

My son would love this and I think he would also like the Magneatos Jumbo Master Builder Series 296 pcs
thegrants(at)live(dot)com

Stephanie Grant said...

Follow Guidecraft on Twitter @sgrant2005
thegrants(at)live(dot)com

Stephanie Grant said...

I'm a Fan of Guidecraft on Facebook (Stephanie Petty-Grant)
thegrants(at)live(dot)com

Stephanie Grant said...

I Follow Guidecraft's Blog (thegrants)
thegrants(at)live(dot)com

Stephanie Grant said...

I follow Mozi Esmé blog via GFC
thegrants(at)live(dot)com

Stephanie Grant said...

Tweet:
http://twitter.com/sgrant2005/status/16251549675
thegrants(at)live(dot)com

John S. said...

I'd pick the Art Activity Cart; that would be very useful.

John S. said...

Follow Guidecraft on twitter as akds33

John S. said...

Follow Guidecraft blog via google reader

John S. said...

Follow Mozi Esme.

John S. said...

Fan/Friend of Guidecraft on facebook

Anonymous said...

I would love to have their High Rise Step-Up

ardy22 at earthlink dot net

Anonymous said...

FOLLOW THEM TWITTER

ARDY22

Anonymous said...

FB FAN OF THEM

RICH HICKS

Anonymous said...

FOLLOW THEIR BLOG

ardy22 at earthlink dot net

Anonymous said...

subscribe rss via google reader

Anonymous said...

tweet

http://twitter.com/Ardy22/status/16320314467

Unknown said...

I like the Fire Truck Toy Box.

hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Unknown said...

I follow Guidecraft on Twitter- ksh123

Unknown said...

I follow Guidecraft's blog through Google reader.

Unknown said...

I follow your blog through Google Friend Connect.

Melissa said...

I love their dress up tower

melissamcnicol[at]yahoo[dot]com

Gidget Girl Reading said...

I follow guidecraft on twitter gidgetnfroggi

Anonymous said...

I love the safari bookshelf

girlforgotten81@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I like guidecraft on FB

user Brandy L Nelson

Mama Michelle said...

I love the high rise step up!

jennem said...

At Guidecraft I like the Interlox- 96pcs
Jennifer, jennem22 at yahoo dot com

Molly K said...

My kids would love the STORYTIME PUPPET THEATER.

Sonya said...

I love the EASY-VIEW STORAGE BENCH!

Sonya said...

I follow

Sonya said...

Twitter follower as dewer421

Louis H said...

the 4 in 1 Dramatic Play Theater is my favorite :)

Louis H said...

following Guidecraft on twitter @rosidentevil

Louis H said...

I like Guidecraft Toys on FaceBook (louis huff) :)

Louis H said...

Following publicly as Louis on Google Friends Connect

Unknown said...

87 pc. table top building block set
gothicdaymares@aol.com

Jinxy and Me said...

I like the 4 in 1 Dramatic Play Theater

Jinxy and Me said...

I'm following Guidecraft on Twitter (I'm @ThriftyJinxy).

Jinxy and Me said...

I'm following your blog in Google Friend Connect.

Jinxy and Me said...

I like Guidecraft on Facebook.

Trina said...

I like the Madame Alexander Rocking Chair.
couponsiwant(at)verizon(dot)net

Trina said...

I follow Guidecraft on twitter
@couponsiwant
couponsiwant(at)verizon(dot)net

Trina said...

tweet
couponsiwant(at)verizon(dot)net
http://twitter.com/couponsiwant/status/16527834427

Bakersdozen said...

I love the 4-SIDED LIBRARY. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Lauren Wayne said...

I love the Kitchen Helper and could so use that. My little guy loves to cook with me but is short. :)

mail {at} HoboMama.com

Lauren Wayne said...

I follow Guidecraft on Twitter (@Hobo_Mama).

mail {at} HoboMama.com

Lauren Wayne said...

I like Guidecraft on Facebook (Lauren Wayne).

mail {at} HoboMama.com

Lauren Wayne said...

I follow Guidecraft's blog.

mail {at} HoboMama.com

Lauren Wayne said...

I follow your blog.

mail {at} HoboMama.com

Tracey said...

I like the adorable Papagayo Rocking Chair.
traymona[at]aol.com

Steph said...

I like the Flower Match Garden Patch.

Kathy P said...

i love the MOON & STARS STACK SHELVES

Kathy P said...

like gc on facebook Kathy L Pease

Kathy P said...

following your blog as klp1965

Kathy P said...

http://twitter.com/klp1965/status/16559581051

Melissa B. said...

I like the Center Stage Tabletop Puppet Theater.

checkers said...

Papagayo Toy Box

ShesAnAngel said...

I visited Guidecraft and I also love their Puppet theater, how awesome for kids!

justine417@comcast.net

ShesAnAngel said...

I'm following Guidecraft via twitter

ShesAnAngel417
justine417@comcast.net

ShesAnAngel said...

I added Guidecraft as a friend on facebook

justine pierson
justine417@comcast.net

ShesAnAngel said...

I'm following Mozi Esme via google connect

justine417
justine417@comcast.net

susansmoaks said...

i like the Block Mates Dinosaurs

susansmoaks at gmail dot com

susansmoaks said...

following them on twitter @fdp4life
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

susansmoaks said...

their fb fan tony l smoaks
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

susansmoaks said...

subscriber to your blog
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

cman said...

All In One Play Kitchen