Thames & Kosmos^® Announces Gigantic, Gorgeous, Ground-Breaking Science Kits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ted McGuire, Thames & Kosmos
401-683-5535 x2, pr@thamesandkosmos.com

Portsmouth, RI – February 11, 2005 – Thames & Kosmos^® today announced the launch of three new science kits for kids ages eight and up.  CHEM C3000 is the largest chemistry set available in the U.S. market, and the fourth kit in Thames & Kosmos’ award-winning line of chemistry sets.  Creative Cosmetics offers girls an introduction to the science behind skin care and cosmetics.  Finally, Physics Workshop is the most comprehensive physics set available in the U.S. market.  The kits will be presented for the first time at American International TOY FAIR™ in New York City, Feb. 20-23, 2005, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center at Booth #3021.

In CHEM C3000, children and young adults ages 12 and up perform more than 360 fascinating and fun experiments accompanied by an extensive and well-balanced curriculum. The kit provides tools, instructions, and explanations for kids to learn first-hand the fundamental principles in chemistry.

CHEM C3000 begins with introductory experiments to teach basic chemistry principles. Substances fizz, foam, melt, evaporate and change color as kids see first-hand the cause and effect of the chemical reactions. After this initial lab experience, the alcohol burner and other advanced lab equipment is introduced for more elaborate experiments. Kids separate mixtures and titrate solutions, and experiment with everything from basic elements like hydrogen and oxygen to more complex materials like sugars, starches, proteins, and polymers. As children perform these hands-on experiments, the experiment manual guides them through advanced topics such as chemical equations, atomic structures, orbitals, bonding and the periodic table — concepts that are crucial for understanding chemistry.

CHEM C3000 is an excellent way to build a strong foundation in chemistry and prepare for high-school level, and even college level chemistry. Thorough safety precautions and instructions ensure safe experimentation. CHEM C3000 includes a 178-page, full-color experiment manual, and more than 105 lab-quality tools and chemicals.  With an MSRP of $199.95, CHEM C3000 will be available in September 2005.

In 2004, Thames & Kosmos won a Gold Award from the Parents’ Choice Foundation for the second kit in the CHEM Series, CHEM C1000.

In Creative Cosmetics, children ages 12 and up learn about cosmetics and the science behind caring for their skin, hair and nails. The kit starts by teaching some basic dermatology and biology. Children then investigate the chemistry of oils, gels, and lotions. They can mix their own personalized beauty formulas from the cosmetic base substances in the kit and natural ingredients from the local market. For example, starting with a shower gel base, some lotion base is added, one of the pleasant fragrances is mixed in, some blue dye adds a hint of color, and finally the formula can be bottled, labeled, and presented as a gift. The kit also offers tips for cosmetic application and suggestions for proper hygiene to promote healthy skin. The kit includes seventeen different cosmetics base substances to make personalized makeup, lip gloss, body lotion, face crème, and shower gel.

Creative Cosmetics is the second kit in Thames & Kosmos’ Sophisticated Science line of science kits designed specifically for girls. The first kit, Perfume Science, that introduced children to the art and science of making fragrances, was released in September of 2004.

Creative Cosmetics includes a full-color, 48-page book that guides children through the science and history of cosmetics, and provides dozens of beauty recipes and techniques. With an MSRP of $59.95, the kit will be available in July of 2005.

In Physics Workshop, children ages 8 and up learn about the essential science of mechanical physics while building dozens of working models of real-world machines. Despite being as crucial a discipline as chemistry, physics is underrepresented in the science kits available today. While there are many chemistry sets of varying sizes and qualities on the market, ‘physics sets’ are almost unheard of. That is, until now.

Physics Workshop brings physics to the forefront, enlivening the science with 36 building projects and subsequent experiments. Children will learn the fundamental laws of mechanics as they build windmills, cranes, sail cars, robots, hammering machines, centrifuges, scales, and dozens of other machines. They will learn about simple machines – gears, levers, screws, inclined planes, pulleys, wheels, and axles – the building blocks of their more complex models. This hands-on approach is both fun and effective because the principles of physics are demonstrated right in front of them.

With more than 300 building pieces and a full-color, 64-page manual, Physics Workshop has an MSRP of $49.95 and will be available in July of 2005.

Appropriately, 2005 also happens to be ‘The World Year of Physics’. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Albert Einstein’s “miraculous year” in which he published three important papers describing ideas that have since influenced all of modern physics. This year provides the opportunity to celebrate Einstein, his great ideas, and his influence on life in the 21st century. Physics not only plays an important role in the development of science and technology, but also has a tremendous impact on our society. See www.physics2005.org for more information.

CHEM C3000, Creative Cosmetics and Physics Workshop will be available through specialty toy, educational, hobby and museum stores, school and homeschool suppliers, and toy and gift catalogs. Visit www.thamesandkosmos.com for a list of area retailers.

For more information about these products, or to request photographs, contact Ted McGuire at Thames & Kosmos at 401-683-5535; pr@thamesandkosmos.com