Discovery Box
Experiments for preschoolers
The Discovery Box is really two stout wooden boxes, brim full with practically all the materials, equipment and paraphernalia that children and their teachers need to conduct 22 scientific experiments in the areas of energy, electricity, the environment and health. It contains, for example, light bulbs, electric motors, batteries, thermometers, large diagrams of the human body and perforated beakers for reconstructing small-scale water treatment plants. With this experiment kit we also like to provide preschool teachers with additional materials and know-how. Therefore, instruction aids for teachers are included in the form of a DVD, a fold-out booklet and topic cards in five different languages – English, German, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.
The Discovery Box not only introduces preschool children to the natural sciences. Grouping the different materials and performing and describing the various experiments also enhance the children’s fine motor skills, linguistic abilities and cognitive faculties. The Discovery Box was developed by Science-Lab, Germany, a pioneer in science education for young children. The boxes are built and assembled in a Caritas sheltered workshop in Germany. The Discovery Box is being used worldwide within closely defined regional projects on a larger scale usually together with other non-profit institutions. It is not meant for sale or for the use by individuals.
In Germany, this project does not apply, since the Siemens Stiftung offers German preschools the possibility to apply for the so called “Forscherkiste”.
Discovery Box - Box 1 Energy & Electricity
Photo: Sebastian Isacu
Donation of 500 experiment kits to kindergartens and preschools in Southeast Europe
In 2010, Siemens Stiftung is expanding its efforts as part of its worldwide commitment for early science education and donating 500 Discovery Boxes to kindergartens and preschools in Southeast Europe. The project kicked off in Slovenia on March 10. Ulrike Wahl from the Siemens Stiftung board of directors presented the first kit to a kindergarten in the city Murska Sobota, with Minister of Education and Sport Dr. Igor Lukšič in attendance. 100 more boxes were donated to other institutions in the area. By September 2010, 100 boxes per country will have been handed over to kindergartens and preschools in Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary.