National Science Week With The Project MC2 H2O Nail Science Lab Kit

Did you know it was National Science Week this week? As part of the celebrations we were very kindly asked to join forces with ‘Project Mc2’ and carry out some experiments of our own with the ‘Project MC2 H2O Nail Science Lab Kit‘.

Our little lady may only be three-years of age but she already takes great pleasure in getting glammed up whether it’s having her hair styled, playing with her Mummy’s makeup or painting her nails. She was therefore delighted when we received the ‘Project MC2 H2O Nail Science Lab Kit’ to put to the test.

Project Mc2

Project MC2 (pronounced ‘Project MC-Squared) is an online (Netflix) American TV series set in the fictitious city of Maywood Glen, California. Revolving around the fields of STEAM, McKeyla McAlister and her friends work for a government organisation called NOV8 (pronounced ‘Innovate’), a highly secretive , girly group who are on a mission to save the World.

STEAM

STEM + Art = STEAM

In the current climate of economic uncertainty, America has become innovative in order to ensure a prosperous future. Innovation remains tightly coupled with:

• Science
• Technology
• Engineering
• Maths
• + Art

= STEAM

The STEM subjects (plus Art and Design) are poised to transform our economy into the 21st century just as Science and Technology did in the last.

The Project MC2 H2O Nail Science Lab Kit

Beautifully packaged, the Project MC2 H2O Nail Science Lab Kit includes :

• 1 x Nail Dryer
• 3 x Nail Varnish Holders
• 4 x Pipettes
• 1 x Nail Varnish Mixing Beaker
• 1 x Sheet Adhesive Stickers
• 39 x Fake Nails
• 1 x Sheet Instructions

We began by finding some batteries (as these are not included) which we then put into the drying machine. We then placed the nail varnish holders into position, removed the fake nails from their packaging and scoured my drawers for three different nail polish colours for our daughter to use as part of her experiment (because nail varnishes are yet another item not included within this kit).

We very quickly realised that we would require a large amount of kitchen roll, protective mats for the table, protective clothing for E to wear and tape to put around her nails during the experiment.

Whilst I completely understand that most toys these days come without batteries, I feel that this kit is somewhat lacking as half of the equipment required to carry out the experiment included does not come as part of the package. This kit would be a whole lot better if it were to include nail varnishes, protective tape, cotton swabs, protective plastic sheeting and perhaps some wipes/ cloths for use during the experiment.

However, we made do what with what we had and tried our very best to carry out the experiment as intended.

The Experiment -Hydrographic Printing

As instructed, we began by pouring the correct amount of water into the mixing beaker followed by three different colours of nail polish which we used a pipette to transfer into the beaker. My daughter then gently stirred the mixture to blend the colours into a unique pattern.

According to the instructions children are able to create unique, colourful, marble-effect designs for their nails by using a scientific process termed ‘hydrographic printing’.

Having applied a few of the fake nails using the adhesive tape supplied we then covered around the sides of my daughters nails using sticky tape. At this point we were ready to rock and roll, both E and I were really looking forward to carrying out the experiment and I was even considering whether I could use this set for my own nails in the future.

Having prepped the polish we dipped my daughters nails into the mix. It was at this point that things become seriously messy…

The sticky tape was wet and peeling from daughters fingers, the varnish seemed to be thick, wet and gloopy and already my daughter had managed to smudge her nails onto my kitchen tablecloth despite having covered it with kitchen roll beforehand.

We carefully placed my daughters nails under the dryer but found that it seemed to blow the polish off her nails which were by now dripping pretty much everywhere imaginable including within the dryer.

We decided to ditch the fake nails and opt for the more natural look, second time around using her own nails E managed to at least apply some polish to her fingers but by now most of the polish had smudged across her hands and fingers staining and irritating her skin.

I will admit that my daughters designs were certainly unique, they were also now smudged across her hands and most of my furniture which you can imagine I wasn’t too pleased about. This experiment was certainly nothing like a day at the nail salon, it was more like watching Freddy Krueger have a manicure!

The Final Result

Having spent time mixing and prepping polish, covering tables in protective sheeting, applying fake nails, removing fake nails, cleaning nail polish from my daughters fingers, hands and the furniture we failed to create anything other than a mess.

In the end we decided to clean my daughters hands removing all traces of polish and simply paint her nails as we would normally do using a block colour and then drying her nails under the Project MC2 Nail Science Lab Kit dryer.

I was rather unimpressed with the Project MC2 Nail Science Lab Kit especially considering that the nails and pipettes supplied can only be used once. Not only that but once the experiment has been carried out it is practically impossible to clean the beaker supplied leaving children with very little other than a nail dryer and some nail varnish holders to use in the future.

We will certainly hold onto the dryer and the nail polish holders for future use but otherwise I think we will stay well away from mixing science with beauty for now…

Purchasing & Pricing Information

Priced from £24.99 the Project MC2 Nail Science Lab Kit is available from a wide range of high street and online retailers including Amazon and Smyths Toys.

To Conclude

As you can probably guess from reading the above, I wouldn’t really recommend this product nor do I feel that it is fairly priced considering that most of the equipment required is missing from the set and the parts included (other than the dryer and the nail varnish holders) can only be used once rendering this product a ‘one hit wonder’.

Should you wish to purchase a decent nail dryer, I have since found that there are a wide range of much cheaper and far more effective dryers than the one included within this kit available online.

I guess Science may be messy at times and I am fully aware that getting messy can be fun for kids, if it helps them to enjoy learning then why not? I usually love anything of educational value and I hate being Negative Nelly when writing reviews but sadly there is very little that I can write about the ‘Project MC 2 Nail Science Lab Kit’ which is positive other than the educational value and enjoyment which children may gain from carrying out their very own science experiments within their home.

For further information upon The Project MC2 Nail Science Lab Kit and the Project MC2 products visit www.projectmc2.com

Disclosure: E and I were sent the above product for the purpose of this post however all opinions are my daughters and my own.