Learning Spaces/Giveaway: Science Centers

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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...

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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):

• Follow Guidecraft on Twitter (www.twitter.com/Guidecraft) 
• Fan Guidecraft on Facebook (www.facebook.com/guidecraft) 
• Follow Guidecraft's Blog (http://guidecrafttoys.blogspot.com/)
• Subscribe or follow Mozi Esmé
• Blog about or tweet about this contest (leave a link in your comment)

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.