FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gayle Glickman/Brian Grabowski
Healy Communications, Inc.
312/440-3900; gglickman@healyco.com

Portsmouth, RI  – February 2, 2005 – Thames & Kosmos^® and National Geographic today announced the launch of two science kits for kids ages eight and up.  The National Geographic Earthquakes & Volcanoes Experiment Kit and the National Geographic Dinosaurs & Fossils Experiment Kit are the first science kits in their respective topic areas to be created under the National Geographic brand.  They will be unveiled at the American International TOY FAIR™ in New York City, Feb. 20-23, 2005, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center at Booth #3021.

“For more than a century, National Geographic has fed people’s thirst for adventure and exploration, and increased their knowledge of the world,” said John Dumbacher, vice president of licensing, National Geographic.  “These kits feed children’s curiosity about Earth and Earth’s history, and proceeds from sales help fund National Geographic’s research, exploration, conservation and education programs so that kids can continue to learn more about the world and all that’s in it.”

In the Earthquakes & Volcanoes Experiment Kit, kids ages 10 and up learn about the inner workings of Earth’s most powerful and destructive natural phenomena, including earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes.  They discover why these devastating events occur and why they are often in the same regions of the world.  The kit explains how scientists measure earthquakes using a seismograph, the keys to spotting various types of volcanoes, and the many types of rock that are formed from lava emitted during volcanic eruptions. 

Junior scientists get the chance to make two model volcanoes erupt, play a volcano quiz game and assemble a plate tectonics puzzle.  They also construct a globe showing the world’s volcanic regions, examine real volcanic rock, build and use a seismograph and much more.  The kit includes a 32-page, content-rich, full-color book to guide the experiments and learning.

In the Dinosaurs & Fossils Experiment Kit, kids ages eight and up become junior paleontologists, learning how to unlock the mysteries of prehistoric life through the study of fossils.  They learn about the many species of dinosaurs and a group of large

flying reptiles called pterosaurs that conquered the skies of the dinosaur kingdom.  The kit also touches on the principles of evolution.

The junior paleontologists also assemble a dinosaur skeleton, build a pterosaur mobile, cast plaster fossils and play a dinosaur quiz game.  They create an “Ages of Earth” bookmark that shows the periods of development of life on Earth, and a time spiral.  The time spiral is a free-standing model that represents Earth’s history in broad strokes from the creation of our planet to today.  The kit includes a 32-page, full-color book to guide the experiments and discoveries.

“These kits draw kids in with activities that are first-class and downright fun, such as erupting volcanoes and casting plaster fossils,” said Ted McGuire, president of Thames & Kosmos.  “And while they’re building and playing, they are seeing firsthand the cause-and-effect relationships that have shaped Earth and all of the life on it.”

These kits comply with all U.S. and European standards for toy safety.  Parents are encouraged to enjoy the products and overall experience alongside their children.

In the past three years, Thames & Kosmos has received six Parents’ Choice Awards and five National Parenting Center Seals of Approval across their line of more than 15 science kits designed for children.

With an MSRP of $29.95, the Earthquakes & Volcanoes Experiment Kit and the Dinosaurs & Fossils Experiment Kit will be available nationally during the second quarter 2005 at specialty toy, educational, hobby and museum stores.  The kits will also be available through school and homeschool suppliers and toy and gift catalogs.  Visit www.thamesandkosmos.com for a list of area retailers. 

National Geographic and Thames & Kosmos plan to launch two more kits in 2006.

For more information about the Earthquakes & Volcanoes Experiment Kit or the Dinosaurs & Fossils Experiment Kit, or to request photographs or product samples, contact Gayle Glickman at Healy Communications, Inc., at 312/440-3900; gglickman@healyco.com.

About Thames & Kosmos

Thames & Kosmos, a privately held company headquartered in Portsmouth, RI, was founded in 2001 with the mission of creating high-quality science and technology-related educational products for children.  Thames & Kosmos places an emphasis on teaching concepts and skills through hands-on modeling of real-world devices and processes.  The company’s current line of science kits involves topics ranging from chemistry and biology to alternative energy such as fuel cells and solar power to natural phenomena.  Other science kit topics include: kites and aerodynamics, optical illusions and human perception and crystals and crystallography. For more information, visit www.thamesandkosmos.com.

About National Geographic

Founded in 1888, the National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations.  It reaches more than 280 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and its four other magazines; the National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; films; radio programs; books; videos; maps; interactive media; and merchandise.  All of National Geographic’s net proceeds from the sale of its products support exploration, conservation and education programs combating geography illiteracy.  The Society has funded nearly 8,000 scientific research projects.  For more information, log on to nationalgeographic.com, AOL Keyword: NatGeo.