Promoting science in kit form

A group of entrepreneurial PhD students from a number of Melbourne's premier medical research facilities has developed an innovative biology experiment kit to promote science among school-aged children.

The PhD students formed the Scyance company as part of the Young Achievement Australia program and developed the Biology Madness Kit after discovering that no product was available in Australia that allowed kids to create their own fun biology experiments at home.

Scyance managing director Ben Atcliffe said the group used their backgrounds in biological science to design and develop the Biology Madness Kit as a unique approach to introduce children to science.

The kit includes 25 experiments that cover a number of topics in biology, from DNA technology through to botany. The kit has already proved very popular among children, parents and teachers following a demonstration at a National Science Week event.

Suitable for use in the home or classroom, the kit was designed so that more than one child or adult can play, hence promoting the social and communicative side to science. The experiments are coupled with the necessary laboratory equipment, safety-ware, a detailed and illustrated manual with additional instructions presented in a fun comic-strip style, and an interactive DVD demonstrating some experiments as well as interviews with young Australian scientists.

Scyance now plans to sell the Biology Madness Kit through schools in greater Melbourne and is hoping to distribute it through retail outlets. The kits can be ordered by emailing Scyance at scyance@gmail.com