Portsmouth, RI – February 12, 2006 – Thames & Kosmos today announced the addition of three new products to its line of high-quality science experiment kits produced under license of the National Geographic Society.  National Geographic Elements of Science is a comprehensive science kit that boasts 100 experiments in biology, chemistry and physics.  National Geographic Dinosaur Expedition Kit, a dinosaur excavation activity, and National Geographic Dinosaur Skeleton Kit, a dinosaur skeleton model, are fun companions to the National Geographic Dinosaurs & Fossils kit released in 2005.  The new kits will be presented for the first time at American International TOY FAIR™ in New York City, Feb. 12-15, 2006, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Booth #2903.

To expose children to the full spectrum to science, and its many fields of study, Thames & Kosmos and National Geographic have produced National Geographic Elements of Science. With 100 experiments in biology, chemistry and physics, it is a broad, yet thorough, introduction to the physical and natural sciences that expertly illustrates how these three core disciplines inter-relate. 

Today, a higher quality of science and math education could not be more important or more needed.  America lags behind countries such as China and India in terms of math and science proficiency, numbers of students earning degrees in science and engineering, and even in exports of high-tech products.  All of this stems from the fact that math and science programs, at the elementary and secondary level, are not as strong as they should be.  The U.S. government is aware of this shortcoming and efforts are being made to improve the situation.

Thames & Kosmos hopes to foster a better understanding of science and math through fun, informal education at home.  Elements of Science is a supplement to the foundational science concepts taught in school.  Fifteen chapters cover such important topics as water, air, heat, sound, forces, electricity, magnetism, light, optics, chemical reactions, and the human body.  The full-color, 112 page, lab manual is abundant with illustrations, diagrams, and photos to further enhance the child’s understanding of the experiments he or she is conducting.  Elements of Science is suitable for children ages 10 and up.  It has an MSRP of $69.95 and will be available in July 2006

This year, to follow up the success of their first two science kits, Thames & Kosmos and National Geographic have produced two small dinosaur activity kits.  The National Geographic Dinosaur Expedition kit is a small-scale dinosaur dig.  Equipped with all the necessary excavating tools (mallet, pick, chisel, brush, and sponge) the child unearths the bones of one of four different dinosaurs.  Like a real excavation, the dinosaur skeleton is fragile and must be dug out very carefully, so as not to be damaged.  Upon fully uncovering the dinosaur bones the dig can be displayed.  Accompanying the digging activity is a fact sheet on the dinosaur that has been discovered and a set of quiz cards.  Dinosaur Expedition comes in four versions, brachiosaurus, stegosaurus, tyrannosaurus rex and triceratops, and is recommended for children ages 7 and up.  It has an MSRP of $10.95 and will be available July 2006.

Also available in four versions, so kids can choose their favorite dinosaur, is the National Geographic Dinosaur Skeleton kit.  Kids will have fun assembling the skeleton of a brachiosaurus, stegosaurus, tyrannosaurus rex or a triceratops while learning about the dinosaur from the included fact sheet.  Each Dinosaur Skeleton version also comes with three tradable fact cards on various dinosaurs.  Among the four versions of Dinosaur Skeleton there are twelve different fact cards to collect.  Recommended for ages 6 and up, Dinosaur Skeleton has an MSRP or $5.95 and will be available July 2006. 

In 2005, Thames & Kosmos introduced the National Geographic Earthquakes & Volcanoes kit and the National Geographic Dinosaurs & Fossils kit.  Having won a Silver Honors award from the prestigious Parents’ Choice Foundation, Earthquakes & Volcanoes (MSRP $29.95) is a true example of the exceptional learning materials for which both Thames & Kosmos and National Geographic are known.  Activities like erupting model volcanoes, piecing together a plate-tectonic puzzle, and building a working seismograph teach the child how Earth’s constant movement affects its inhabitants and their environment. 

Also an award-winning kit, Dinosaurs & Fossils (MSRP $29.95) earned a Recommended Seal from the Parents’ Choice Foundation.  With activities such as casting plaster models of fossils, building a pterosaur mobile, and playing a dinosaur quiz game, Dinosaurs & Fossils allows the child to become a junior paleontologist, unlocking the mysteries of prehistoric life through the study of fossils. 

Thames & Kosmos products are available at specialty toy, educational, hobby and museum stores, as well as through school and homeschool suppliers and toy and gift catalogs.  Visit www.thamesandkosmos.com for a complete list of area retailers. In the past four years, Thames & Kosmos has received twelve Parents’ Choice Awards and seven National Parenting Center Seals of Approval across its line of more than 20 science kits designed for children.

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For more information about these products, or to request photographs, contact Christa Raimondo at Thames & Kosmos at 401-683-5535 ext. 4; pr@thamesandkosmos.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.  Topics covered in the Thames & Kosmos line of over 20 kits include fuel cell and solar-power technology, chemistry, microscopy, biology, physics, crystallography, aerodynamics, optical illusions and human perception, perfume, cosmetics, natural history, geology, earth science, and tube radio technology.   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, with a mission to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge while promoting conservation of Earth s cultural and natural resources. It reaches more than 330 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and its four other magazines; the National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; radio programs; films; books; videos and DVDs; maps; and interactive media. National Geographic has funded more than 8,000 scientific research projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. For more information, log on to nationalgeographic.com; AOL Keyword: NatGeo