Mel Science

ScienceSTEMPhysicsChemistryMedicine
Written By Manisha Snoyer (co-founder of Modulo)

MEL Science was founded by Vassili Philippov, a passionate scientist and entrepreneur with a background in science and software. He was motivated by the vision of enhancing science education and making it more engaging and accessible for children. Observing a gap in the market for truly educational hands-on science kits, Philippov, along with other dedicated educators and scientists, established MEL Science to create a subscription-based model that offers continuous educational value. His leadership and innovative approach have led MEL Science to become a key player in the EdTech field, receiving substantial accolades such as the BETT “Innovator of the Year” and other awards in virtual and augmented reality educational solutions​ (TechRound)​​ (MEL Science)​​ (Wamda)​.

Differentiation: What Makes MEL Science Special

MEL Science stands out in the realm of science education by combining physical experiment kits with advanced digital technologies like VR simulations and live lessons. This "phygital" approach helps bring complex scientific concepts to life, making them more understandable and engaging for young learners. The integration of storytelling from acclaimed science communicators further enhances the learning experience, ensuring concepts are not only demonstrated but also retained and loved. This unique melding of hands-on and digital learning is distinctive in its capacity to engage students and foster a genuine love for science​ (TechRound)​​ (MEL Science)​.

Getting Started with MEL Science

To begin using MEL Science as a homeschooling resource, families can subscribe to the service, which will deliver monthly kits. Each kit contains all the necessary components for the experiments along with access to the VR content and educational apps that complement the physical activities.

How MEL Science Works as a Homeschool Curriculum

Each MEL Science kit is designed to be used independently or with parental guidance, making it flexible according to the child's age and educational needs. The recommended usage is about 3-4 hours per week, combining hands-on experiments with VR exploration and video content. This allows for a thorough understanding of the scientific principles at play while keeping the learning process engaging and interactive. The curriculum is suitable for children aged 5 to 14, catering to a broad age range by adjusting the complexity of the experiments and concepts​ (TechRound)​​ (MEL Science)​.

Educational Concepts Taught by MEL Science

  • Chemistry: Understanding chemical reactions, molecular structures, and the periodic table.

  • Physics: Concepts like magnetism, electricity, and forces.

  • Biology: Basic anatomy, plant science, and microbiology.

  • Earth Science: Weather patterns, geological processes, and environmental science.

Highlights: What Users Love About MEL Science

Users appreciate the high-quality materials provided in the kits and the detailed, easy-to-follow instructions that make complex experiments accessible. The integration of VR technology is frequently highlighted as a game-changer, providing immersive experiences that enhance understanding and retention of scientific concepts. The consistent addition of new experiments and updates to the VR content keeps the curriculum fresh and engaging over time​ (TechRound)​​ (MEL Science)​.

Areas for Improvement

While MEL Science receives high marks for innovation and educational value, some users note the need for more varied levels of difficulty within the kits to cater to different age groups and learning speeds. Additionally, occasional technical issues with the VR apps and a desire for even more interactive features in the digital content are areas mentioned for potential enhancement​ (TechRound)​​ (MEL Science)​.

Parental Advice for Maximizing Benefits

Parents suggest setting a regular schedule for experiments to maintain consistency and engagement. They also recommend involving children in the setup and cleanup processes to enhance learning and responsibility. Utilizing the supplemental digital content, such as the VR lessons and educational videos, can significantly enrich the learning experience and provide deeper insights into the experiments​ (TechRound)​.

Ideal and Non-Ideal Fits for MEL Science

MEL Science is ideal for children who are naturally curious about how things work and who enjoy interactive and hands-on learning. It is particularly suitable for students who thrive with visual and practical learning experiences. However, it may not be the best fit for very young children who might find the experiments too complex, or for families looking for a more traditional, textbook-focused science curriculum​ (TechRound)​​ (MEL Science)​.

Grades

MEL Science is tailored for children from kindergarten through 10th grade and up.

Cost

The subscription costs vary, typically ranging from $25 to $40 per month, depending on the selected kit and subscription length​ (TechRound)​.

Availability

MEL Science kits can be purchased directly through their website or via various online educational product retailers, offering flexible options for getting started with this innovative science curriculum​ (TechRound)​​ (MEL Science)​.

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Manisha Snoyer (co-founder of Modulo)

For the last 20 years, I’ve taught over 2000 children in 3 countries (of all socio-economic backgrounds). I pioneered an English language program in a conflict region in the Middle East. I’ve worked as a bilingual public school teacher at some of the highest and lowest performing public schools and in all five boroughs of NYC. I’ve tutored 18 subjects in three languages to some of the wealthiest families in NYC, San Francisco and Paris to make up for shortcomings in private schools they were paying up to $60,000 a year to attend.

Since 2015, I’ve helped hundreds of parents start microschools (way before this was a household buzzword). I founded CottageClass, the first marketplace for microschools and learning pods that was part of the Techstars 2018 class. In 2019, I created a virtual learning program to help families through the pandemic, a free online math tutoring program (masteryhour.org), and schoolclosures.org, a hotline developed in collaboration with Twilio and 80 other partners including Khan Academy, Revolution Foods and the Crisis Text Line, that served 100,000 families impacted by school closures.

I’ve climbed trees with children in forest schools in San Francisco, and tested new digital apps with kids in seven countries.

I’ve also coached dozens of families at different stages in their homeschooling journey. Most recently, I founded Modulo with homeschooling dad, best-selling author and tech entrepreneur Eric Ries, to help families curate their children’s education, social and childcare experiences drawing from a diverse array of in-person and online resources.


During the last three years, I’ve devoted much of my time to reviewing and testing secular homeschooling curriculum and other resource. I’ve spent the last three years talking to thousands of secular homeschooling families, and poring over tens of thousands of secular curriculum reviews and testing physical curriculum and digital apps for with hundreds of students to find the highest quality, most engaging, personalized learning materials for every type of learner.

I’ve spoken about homeschooling and modular learning at multiple venues including SXSW EDU, NY Tech Meetup, and on the LiberatedEd podcast.

In 2022, Modulo was one of 8 organizations who were awarded the Bridge Grant from the Vela Education Fund to expand access to homeschooling and modular learning to under-resourced communities.

My experience in education and homeschooling has led me to believe that there is no perfect education for every child, but families have an extraordinary amount of wisdom they can apply to building the perfect education for their individual child.

My goal with Modulo is to make it possible for any family to easily build a customized education that their child will love, and that will empower the whole family to thrive, taking into account, social, emotional and academic needs.

I love to answer questions from parents and receive feedback on how we can improve Modulo, so feel free to reach out anytime! I personally answer all the questions and comments readers leave on my blogs.

In my free time, I like hiking, traveling the world, tasting ceremonial grade matcha, enjoying dark chocolate.

I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Brandeis University with highest honors, with a double degree in French Literature and American Studies and minors in Environmental Studies and Peace & Conflict Studies.

And I love to learn!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/manisha-snoyer-5042298/
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