Spark! Boxes

Loanable, reusable science kits for public libraries and school libraries. Each kit is designed to provide an authentic scientific experience and includes carefully researched and well-designed notes to help users to get maximum benefit.

SPARK! BOXES

Spark! Boxes are loanable, reusable science kits for public libraries and school libraries. Each Spark! Box is designed to provide an authentic scientific experience and includes carefully researched and well-designed notes to help users to get maximum benefit. Notes suggest things to try, interesting facts to discuss, and where to find other related resources.

Spark! Boxes are intended to enhance child, family and community access to age-appropriate, quality scientific equipment.

Spark! Boxes have been circulating in communities across Australia for over 10 years – so we’re retiring some boxes to make room for new ones. Please contact us for information on availability. Spare parts, if available, can be sourced from our online shop.

SPARK! BOXES 8-12 YEARS

Carefully curated kits with guides to provide opportunities for genuine scientific exploration and to help children access other resources.

AMAZING ANIMALS

Explore a range of animals from inside and out, read x-ray photographs, examine bones and get inside a frog or dog.

What’s in the box?

X-rays and photos of animals
Explore Animal book
Teeth samples
Knucklebone game

THE HUMAN BODY

Get inside out with the human body. Examine human x-ray images, understand the location of human organs in a model torso, and head/brain.

What’s in the box?

Soft Head Model/Brain Model
Torso Model
Human X-Rays
Lightbox

MAGNETISM

Explore the natural phenomenon of magnetism. See ‘invisible’ magnetic fields made visible. Learn how a magnetic compass works to help in navigation.

What’s in the box?

Magnetic Field Demonstrator
Two magnets
Magnetic Levitator
Compass

MINI BEASTS

Discover the amazing world of mini-beasts. Get up close to examine resin-encased bugs. Be a responsible bug-catcher to observe live bugs in action and learn how to recognise their various life-stages.

What’s in the box?

Magnifying Container ‘Bug Jar’
8 resin encased mini beasts
Port-a-bug pop-up container
Butterfly lifecycle
Magnifying glass
Insect net
The Best Book of Bugs book

EYES AND ILLUSIONS

Exc-EYE-ting new Spark! box that will open your eyes to the world of sight.

Explore the detailed model eye, examine your own eye up close and explore the world of illusions to better understand the complex nature of perception – or just have fun teasing your brain!

What’s in the box?

Model eye
Zoetrope
Concave/convex mirror
Rods x 2
Book of illusions

PRECISION MICROSCOPE

Learn the science of light and
lenses and how microscopes work.
Discover an amazing microscopic world by examining the very small details of insects and plants.

What’s in the box?

Microscope
Magnifying glass
Prepared slides
Tweezers
Lens paper
The Ultimate Guide To Your Microscope book

SOUND AND MUSIC

Explore the science of sound. Use a range of instruments to make interesting sounds and music.

What’s in the box?

Hand drum
Wooden agogo with mallet
Kalimba (thumb piano)
Two 440 Hz tuning forks
Two small tumblers
String
Music box mechanism

LIGHT AND COLOUR

Explore light and why you see colour. Discover how light can be used to alter the way you see objects.

What’s in the box?

Torch
Spray bottle
Set of lenses
Blank CD
Spectroscope

PLANT SCIENCE

Explore how plants work from cells to life-cycles. Understand how much you can learn about climate by examining tree rings.

What’s in the box?

Plant cell model two parts
Handiscope
Tree ring

ROCKS AND MINERALS

Explore a mineral and rock collection. Understand how they are sorted by colour, chemical, crystal shape and more. Learn about the importance of minerals in human endeavours.

What’s in the box?

Mineral sample collection
Fossil collection
Field magnifyer
Nail, streak plate, guide

DOBSONIAN TELESCOPE

Learn to use a telescope to see planets up close. Use a star chart to find your way around the night’s sky.

What’s in the box?

Dobsonian Telescope
Star Chart

SPARK! TECHNOLOGY BOXES

Fuel young minds interest in robotics, coding, electronics, and virtual and augmented reality with Spark! Technology Boxes. Most boxes require a tablet.

EDISON ROBOT

Learn to code a robot, starting basic and then get more technical. Use both your hardware engineering skills as well as software creativity with these Lego- compatible robot kits.

What’s in the box?

Edison robots × 2
Remote control
EdCreate kit
Discover Edison booklet
Batteries

CIRCUITS AND ELECTRICITY

Investigate the nature of electricity and electrical circuits with this immersive kit. Devise some imaginative gadgets as well as making power from a potato.

What’s in the box?

Snap Circuits set
Instruction book
Potato Clock Kit
Energy Stick
Batteries

VIRTUAL REALITY

Explore new worlds while staying home. Understand how virtual and augmented reality can be created and experienced. Enjoy using some cool gadgets to get inside some hidden worlds.

What’s in the box?

MERGE Virtual Reality Smartphone Headset
MERGE Cube
iScience Augmented Reality book
Curioscope T-shirts

OSMO CREATIVE

Turn a tablet into a crazy fun factory of fabulous frivolity, and gain some great skills at the same time. This creative system from Osmo provides a wide variety of maths and science-based challenges.