The Chemistry 60 kit is an introductory set that includes 60 simple, safe experiments. This kit is similar in scope to the Elements of Science kit, with experiments revealing how chemistry plays a part in our daily lives. However, this kit got lower ratings because it doesn’t contain any chemicals.
The thorough examination of household science in the Chemistry 60 earned this chemistry set a spot on our top ten list.
With 60 experiments, the Chemistry 60 kit is mid-range compared to other beginner sets on our list, which range from 10 to 100 tests. The set covers several of the topics on our survey including acids and bases, solutions and colloids, states of matter, basic organic chemistry and many other areas. The manufacturer’s description of this kit is that it helps expose kids to chemistry applications in the home, especially the kitchen. Thus, many of the experiments are everyday kitchen activities accompanied with a scientific explanation. Even though parents may feel that some of the experiments are too simple, this kit is designed to help kids to understand scientific principles they’ve already witnessed but weren’t aware of. So, while the activities are simple, they set a foundation for your child to understand more complicated experiments like the ones in the CHEM C3000.
Most of the experiments in this kit are quick, but a few (like crystal growing) may take several days or longer to complete. Make sure you read through the entire procedure before starting an experiment so you know how long it will take.
This kit comes with very basic lab equipment including measuring and mixing tools, test tubes and a test tube stand, safety glasses and a few other items. There are a few glass pieces but the kit is designed to be safe for kids. If your child is at the lower end of the age spectrum, he/she may need help measuring ingredients, using the small tools and learning the experimental method (following instructions in the proper order).
Like the Milestones in Science kit, Chemistry 60 uses household chemicals that are not included in the kit. Most of the required chemicals are found in the average home, but there may be a few items that require a trip to the grocery or hardware store.
This kit comes with a very small booklet with nowhere near the depth of information or visual appeal of the Milestones in Science kit manual. The booklet contains procedures for all the experiments and explanations of the how and why the experiments work. Although a kit’s manual plays a big part in helping kids understand the experiments, very young chemists won’t want to spend a lot of time reading. In fact, the reason chemistry sets are so effective in teaching science is that the reading is balanced with activities to keep the child’s interest. So, even though the manual for this kit is nothing to write home about, it is sufficient for this purpose.
Chemistry 60 is very similar to the higher-rated CHEM C500, but the C500 includes chemicals and has a better experiment manual. Even though the Chemistry 60 lost points for not including chemicals, it has almost twice as many experiments as the C500.
