MEL Science
Monthly science experiment kits by subject, MEL STEM for ages 5+, Physics and Math for 8+, Chemistry for 10+ and Medicine for 14+, paired with an app of video instructions plus VR or AR lessons. Plans start at $29.90 a month.
What is MEL Science?
MEL Science is a monthly subscription of home science kits, sorted by subject. Each kit comes with the equipment and materials for real experiments, and an app walks kids through them with video. The chemistry line, MEL Chemistry, is the best known: it starts with a home lab that includes everything from a flask to a macro lens and a VR headset.
The company also offers STEM, Math, Physics and Medicine lines, so a family can match the subject to a child's age and interests.
How it works
You pick a subject and plan, and a kit ships each month. A typical session looks like this:
- Open the kit and the MEL app.
- Follow the interactive video steps to run the experiment.
- Use the VR or AR lesson to see what happened and why.
- Repeat the experiment; most sets have enough reagents to run each one at least twice.
Kids 10 and up can do much of the chemistry on their own with an adult nearby. Younger kids in MEL STEM need more help. You can pause, cancel or switch subjects from your account.
What it covers
| Subject | Ages | What kids do |
|---|---|---|
| STEM | 5+ | Build a microscope, a spring-powered racecar, a hydraulic jack model |
| Math | 8+ | Hands-on math projects |
| Physics | 8+ | Build models of everyday devices and explore physics in VR |
| Chemistry | 10+ | Safe home chemistry experiments and VR trips inside molecules |
| Medicine | 14+ | A line listed for teens 14 and up |
The catalog has more than 100 hands-on projects and more than 50 digital experiences.
Who it's best for
MEL Science suits curious kids who want real experiments, especially chemistry fans 10 and up. It's also a smart lab add-on for homeschool families using a textbook course for middle school science or high school science.
It isn't a full course. Kits don't arrive in a strict order and don't include tests. If you need a curriculum, start with the homeschool science options.
Pricing at a glance
As of October 2026, plans start at $29.90 a month, and the annual plan gives 12 months for the price of 8. You can add kits for a sibling at a discount. Shipping is added at checkout. Cancel or pause in one click from My Account.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Possibly. Some education savings account programs allow science kits and lab supplies, while others limit spending to curriculum or approved vendors. Each program decides. Check your state's rules, such as Arizona or Florida, and learn how scholarships and ESAs for homeschool families work. Save MEL Science to your wishlist and apply once on Edulist.
How it compares
KiwiCo and its Tinker Crate focus on building gadgets rather than chemistry. For a sequenced course to pair with MEL kits, look at Apologia for a Christian approach or Real Science Odyssey for a secular one. Generation Genius adds standards-aligned video lessons.
See the best science kits for kids for more picks.
Who MEL Science is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Kids 10 and up who want real chemistry experiments at home
- Physics fans 8 and up who like building working models
- Homeschool families adding labs to a textbook science course
- Families who like a digital layer, with app videos and VR
Look elsewhere if
- Families who need a complete, sequenced science curriculum
- Young kids who need lots of free play; MEL is structured experiments
- Budget-conscious families buying for several kids
MEL Science pros and cons
Pros
- Real lab equipment and reagents, certified safe for home use
- Clear app videos walk kids through each experiment
- VR and AR lessons add the why behind each result
- Several subjects, so kids can switch as interests change
- One-click pause or cancel
Cons
- Kits arrive without a strict curriculum order
- Gets expensive, especially with shipping outside the US
- Individual kits can't be bought separately
- Some reviewers report lost or substituted boxes
What’s included
- Five subscription subjects: STEM, Math, Physics, Chemistry and Medicine
- A new hands-on kit each month; 100+ projects in the catalog
- App with interactive video instructions and 50+ digital experiences
- VR lessons for Chemistry and Physics; AR lessons for STEM
- Chemistry starter kit with lab equipment, a macro lens and a VR headset
- Pause, cancel or switch subjects from your account
How much does MEL Science cost?
MEL Science sells monthly subscriptions by subject, starting at $29.90 a month as of October 2026. An annual plan advertises 12 months of kits for the price of 8. You can add extra kits each month, for example for a second child, at a reduced price. Individual kits are not sold separately.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription (from) | $29.90/mo | Monthly | $29.90/mo |
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
Applications are not open on Edulist. Saving a product does not subscribe you or establish eligibility. Visit your wishlist to opt in for updates.
View wishlistWhat parents say
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
Public reviews are mostly positive. Most Trustpilot reviewers give five stars, praising well-made kits, clear instructions, the app, and homeschool or classroom results. Complaints focus on missing or substituted boxes, price and customs fees outside the US, and kits that don't follow a clear sequence.
Common praise
- Well-made, safe kits that kids stay excited about
- Clear instructions and a useful app
- Demonstrations that actually work, per a teacher and homeschoolers
Common complaints
- Lost or substituted boxes
- Expensive, especially with international fees
- Kits arrive without an obvious curriculum order
Sources: trustpilot.com · melscience.com
MEL Science family reviews
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MEL Science FAQs
How much does MEL Science cost?
As of October 2026, plans start at $29.90 a month. The annual plan offers 12 months of kits for the price of 8, and shipping is added at checkout based on location.
What ages is MEL Science for?
MEL STEM is for ages 5 and up, Math and Physics for 8 and up, Chemistry for 10 and up, and Medicine for 14 and up. You can switch subjects from your profile as your child grows.
Is MEL Chemistry safe for kids?
MEL says its kits are lab-tested, meet US CPSC requirements and the EN 71-4 standard for chemistry sets, and contain no explosives. Adult supervision is still wise, especially for younger kids.
How do I cancel MEL Science?
Go to the My Account tab and pause or cancel with one click. You can reactivate any time, or contact support@melscience.com for help.
Do I need the VR headset or app?
The app gives step-by-step video instructions and is the main guide for each experiment. The VR lessons are optional extras that show the science at a deeper level.
Is MEL Science a full homeschool chemistry course?
Not on its own. Kits arrive monthly without a strict sequence and don't include tests or a textbook. Many families pair MEL Chemistry with a course such as Apologia or Real Science Odyssey.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: