Eleven New Science Kits Take Thames & Kosmos’ Award-Winning Line in New Directions!

For Immediate Release
Contact: Ted McGuire, Thames & Kosmos
401-683-5535 x2; pr@thamesandkosmos.com

Wind Power, TK2 Scope, Electronics Workshop 1, Space Exploration, Genetics & DNA, Archaeology, Core Science MS-1, and Four New Little Labs: Time, Cranes, Navigation, and Boats

Portsmouth, RI – February 11, 2008

Thames & Kosmos today announced the addition of eleven new science kits to their award-winning line for 2008.  These new experiment kits span the topics of wind power, microscopy, electronics, space exploration, genetics, archaeology, middle school science, and introductory science.  The new kits will be presented for the first time at the American International TOY FAIR™ in New York City, Feb. 17-20, 2008, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Booth #1855. 

Continuing their successful line of alternative energy themed science kits is Wind Power, a construction kit that allows children, ages 8 and up, to build a wind turbine complete with electric generator, adjustable rotors, and wind speed indicator.  Over 20 experiments testing variables such as the number of rotor blades, the angle and profile of the blades, different wind speed, and different gear ratios can be conducted.  The wind turbine can even power an LED and charge a rechargeable battery!  Wind power is one of the most promising sources of clean, renewable energy available today, and its usage is increasing rapidly.  For every Wind Power kit sold, 1% of the suggested retail price will be donated to environmentally focused non-profit organizations in the United States.  A list of recipients can be found at www.thamesandkosmos.com.  Wind Power retails for $49.95.

Foundational to their line is the microscope kit, and this year Thames & Kosmos announces the new TK2 Scope: Microscope & Biology Kit.  The TK2 Scope employs professional-quality optical glass lenses to magnify at 40-, 100-, and 400-power, and has two LED lights for viewing objects both from above and below.  Designed in-house by Thames & Kosmos and manufactured by C & A Scientific, the TK2 Scope is made of metal and plastic, with a sleek yet durable design incorporating a handle.  The kit comes with a 48-page manual as well as over 20 tools and accessories to guide the child’s investigations.  For children ages 10 and up, TK2 Scope retails for $119.95.

A valuable addition to Thames & Kosmos’s technology category is Electronics Workshop 1: Introduction to Electronics.  The experiments in this engaging electronics kit are creatively presented through the story of a young robot beginning his education in electronics on an enormous space station orbiting Earth in the year 2069.  The child learns, along side the robot, how to build simple circuits with blinking LEDs and resistors, then progresses to more complex experiments that explain the concepts of current, voltage and resistance.  A few experiments include: building a moisture sensor, a battery tester and an alarm system.  Electronics Workshop 1 is the first in a new series of electronics kits that will progress in levels of difficulty, much like Thames & Kosmos’s best-selling CHEM and Physics lines. For children ages 10 and up, Electronics Workshop 1 retails for $109.95.

Thames & Kosmos’s first kit to cover the science of astronomy is Space Exploration.  Topics covered include rocket propulsion, telescopes, star maps, the solar system, the Earth’s rotation, as well as the Earth’s axis and its revolution around the sun, lunar and solar eclipses, and our expanding universe.  Full of model-building activities and engaging reading, Space Exploration is a perfect introduction to the vast topic of outer space.  For children ages 8 and up, Space Exploration retails for $34.95.

Genetics & DNA provides a hands-on introduction to biological inheritance and genetic engineering.  Experiments include isolating DNA from a tomato, building a DNA model, breeding a bacteria colony to experiment with genetic engineering, and more.  The kit also provides important information on influential scientists in the field of genetics.  For children ages 10 and up, Genetics & DNA retails for $34.95.

In their sixth kit collaboration with National GeographicTM, Thames & Kosmos announces Archaeology Kit: Egyptian Pyramid.  The science of archaeology is illustrated as the child unearths artifacts, including a sarcophagus with a mummy inside, from within a model pyramid.  Other fun activities include deciphering the ancient language of hieroglyphics and constructing a 3-D cross section of a pyramid.  As with all National Geographic science kits from Thames & Kosmos, a portion of the proceeds goes to support vital exploration, research, and education programs.  For children ages 8 and up, Archaeology Kit: Egyptian Pyramid retails for $24.95.

Core Science MS-1 is a supplemental science curriculum for students entering grades 5 through 8.  Correlated to National Science Education Standards for middle school level physical and life science, it focuses on 45 topics at three different levels of proficiency (easy, moderate, and advanced).  Accompanied by a full-color 96-page instruction manual and a 48-page workbook, this kit reinforces science concepts the child is, or will be, learning in school in a fun, at-home setting.  This kit denotes another new direction for Thames & Kosmos: serious curriculum-based science kits.  For children ages 10 and up, Core Science retails for $109.95.

Building on their best-selling Little Labs™ line of beginner science kits (for ages 5-7) Thames & Kosmos announces four new single-topic kits: Boats, Time, Cranes and Navigation.  All four kits include up to 10 experiments, each with steps outlined by easy-to-follow illustrations.  The illustrations are supported with just enough text to reinforce vocabulary and aid in language learning, as well as guide parents and adult supervisors.  All Little LabsTM kits are designed to answer common questions children have from their everyday experiences through hands-on experimentation.  All single-topic Little Labs kits are approved for ages 5 to 7, and retail for $15.95.

Thames & Kosmos kits can be found at specialty toy, hobby, gift and museum stores, as well as through educational and home-school suppliers, toy and gift catalogs, and online stores.

For a complete list of retailers, visit www.thamesandkosmos.com.  All Thames & Kosmos 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.

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For more information about any of the award-winning kits, or to request photographs, contact Ted McGuire, pr@thamesandkosmos.com. To download high-resolution photographs of our products, click here.

About Thames & Kosmos
Thames & Kosmos, a privately held company headquartered in Portsmouth, RI, was founded in 2001 with the mission of improving informal science education by creating high-quality science and technology-related educational products for children. Thames & Kosmos places an emphasis on teaching science that is relevant to the important issues in the world today through hands-on experimentation. Topics covered in Thames & Kosmos’ line of over 50 kits include alternative energy, chemistry, biology, physics, electronics, natural history, and earth science. For more information, visit www.thamesandkosmos.com