M.A.P. -Why I don't like Minimum Advertised Pricing.

M.A.P. -Why I don't like Minimum Advertised Pricing.

More and more toy manufacturers are attempting to enforce "Minimum Advertised Pricing" policies for online sales. The general idea is to impose a minimum price, below which a product may not be sold. Selling for less can result in non-shipment of new product to the offending retailer. On the surface, this seems an honorable act. Usually we're told that it's to "level the playing field" between us and the big boxes such as Target or Walmart. Companies don't want to "cheapen the brand".

Thanks, but not only didn't I ask for the field to be leveled, I didn't realize that a level playing field was the point of owning a business in a capitalist society! I didn't get into business to even try and compete with big boxes. I'm not that stupid.

While we appreciate and understand the intent of fair pricing, what it essentially does is make small stores like Pow!Science! virtually invisible in web search results, despite our best SEO efforts. We can't buy the top spots (which no matter what you may have read elsewhere, are for sale) or afford to run up huge AdSense bills, so we end up on page 3, or 6....or deeper still. And when all the prices are the same, nobody will search past page 1 or 2 of their search results. Heck, they don't even do that when prices are all over the map (no pun intended). Price is the one edge we've got, and because we've got lower overhead and other avenues of income, we can usually afford to offer a pretty competitive one--M.A.P. takes that away.

Our superior customer service and product knowledge don't count for much when we can't even get seen. Our lower overhead loses its advantageous properties when we can't utilize it to give ourselves an edge on price just to get noticed online.

And of course, it's just not enforceable. Every time I get an email from a manufacturer telling me of new M.A.P. Policies, I do a product search, and invariably find sites that are selling for less.

We're not saying M.A.P. is wrong. Even Communism works on paper. We're just saying that without exception, it has resulted in decreased online sales for us in every line that imposes it, and there are always businesses out there that ignore it. Me, I'd rather have the opportunity to sell ten units at a lower profit than Zero units but with the integrity and warm fuzzy feeling of knowing I'm not "cheapening the brand". Can't eat warm fuzzies.

What do you think?

Da Vinci Machine - The Coolest Logic/Puzzle Game You've Never Heard Of

The Da Vinci Machine
Detect. Deduce. Decode. And a 15% Discount (see below)!



What does this intriguing game have to do with Leonardo Da Vinci? Absolutely nothing. But don't hold that against it. This game has a sophisticated look and mode of play that gets kids excited, but is both educational and simple enough so as not to frustrate younger players. That said, adults will find it sufficiently challenging and far from "too easy".

So, How do you play it?

1. One player is the Encoder, the other player is the Decoder. The Encoder must think of a three or four letter word after drawing two cards to determine the ‘Word Type’ and ‘Spelling Condition’ of the secret word to be formed. When choosing a secret word to encode, the Encoder must choose a word that obeys both the 'Word Type' and 'Spelling Condition' put forth by the cards drawn.

Examples:
Word Type~"The Word must be a living thing."
Spelling Condition ~ "The Word must contain two vowels."
Thus, the Encoder could choose words such as "Bee", "Mole" or "Boar". All of these words meet the conditions put forth by the cards...but so do many, many others.

2. The Encoder uses the red chips to form a secret word of his or her choosing by placing the chips in the correct sequence into the Code Machine.The Encoder then covers the secret word by closing all of the windows. Optionally, the Encoder may announce the number of letters used in the word, so as not to totally vex the Decoder.

3. The Decoder cracks the secret word with as few windows opened as possible. In each round, the Decoder opens one small window at any position and attempts to name the secret word. In each game, the Decoder has a total of three chances to ask the Encoder a question for a yes-or-no answer as a hint. The questions can be used all at once or separately. When the secret word is correctly cracked, count and record the total number of windows opened. Open all windows to confirm the code is correct.

4. Players switch sides and repeat Steps 1 to 3. The player (decoder) that requires the fewest windows opened is the winner.
There's even an option for 3 Players:
One player is the Encoder and the other two players are the competing Decoders. The set-up procedure is the same as the 2-Player game. The two Decoders take turns to open a window and attempt to crack the secret word. Each Decoder has a total of three chances to ask the Encoder a question for a yes-or-no answer as a hint. The Decoder who successfully cracks the secret word first is the winner.

It's sort of like "Mastermind" meets "Wheel of Fortune"...and it'll hook you quickly. I recommend keeping a pencil handy, not to keep score, but to assist in opening the windows; they're a bit small, and adult fingers sometimes have a bit of trouble opening them.

The Da Vinci Machine is available at the Pow!Science! Online store, and blog readers can get an additional 15% Off using Coupon Code 'bloggerfan' during checkout, now through June 30th,2010. Click here to visit the Pow!Science! Store.

Do you own The Da Vinci Machine? Write a Review!

Pow! Science!'s Best Method Ever for the Diet Coke & Mentos Experiment

Over the past few weeks as school years around Rhode Island are winding down, I've been busier than ever performing Pow!Science's Big Audience Assembly Program, "Science Asks Why", due in large part to the fantastic Science Inquiry Day programs put on by the East Bay Educational Collaborative.

Kids and teachers alike seem to really enjoy the show, but it's always the last demonstration that gets them the most excited, and although I certainly did not invent the famous "Diet Coke & Mentos" experiment, I most definitely have perfected it, resulting in round, brown stains on the ceilings of many Rhode Island Elementary School Auditoriums. After the program, I'm almost always asked how I get this particular demonstration to work so well.

I'll skip over the science behind why this experiment works at all, and tell you the simple secrets to getting a great geyser every time. Use these simple methods and you'll easily get 30 foot plumes of soda flying into the air (without any special restriction device screwed to the top of the bottle) to the delight of any kid (or adult) who happens to be watching.

1. Use Diet Pepsi instead of Diet Coke. Odd, I realize, to perform the famous "Diet Coke & Mentos" experiment without Diet Coke. Truth be told, they both work--but I've used both extensively, and I consistently find Diet Pepsi to work just a little bit better--so why not use it instead?

2. Heat the Soda (without opening the bottle, of course). Get a nice big pitcher--a one gallon size is great-- and put your unopened bottle of soda in. Then, fill the pitcher with the hottest water you can get to come out of your sink (DON'T heat water on the stove and use that, please! There's hot and then there's just too hot). Let that bottle sit in the hot water bath for a good twenty minutes and I guarantee maximum altitude.

3. Figure out a good, dependable delivery system to drop the Mentos into the bottle as quickly as possible. I use a Giant Test Tube (sometimes called a 'Baby Soda Bottle', but that's a whole different article). You might use one too, or you might use a rolled up piece of cardboard.

4. When you "blast off", do it from a table top, such as a picnic table. Or put the bottle of soda on top of a wall. Whatever, anything to get it launching from just a bit higher than the ground. Launching from the ground isn't bad, but if you want spectacular results, give yourself a height advantage! 3 feet higher is, after all, 3 feet higher! The more kids have to bend their necks to see the top of the plume, the cooler they will think you are.

Got questions? I've got answers. Feel free to post Comments, Questions, or pictures of your own Soda-rific results. Have fun!

If you can't make it to this month's Family Science Night, here's a fun & easy experiment to do at home--you'll love it, and we challenge you to wrap your brain around just how it works. Remember, Pow!Science! offers fun, FREE Family Science Nights every month at both locations. Check the Events Calendar for all the info!

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LIKE a ROLLING SODA

Materials:

• Two unopened cans of soda
• Inclined surface

Procedure:

1. Locate the inclined surface (If you’re experimenting at home, stick a book under a board, or prop up two legs of a table or something).

2. Teamwork required! One person stands at the raised end of the inclined surface with the soda. This person is the Roller. The other person stands at lower end of the inclined surface. This person is the Catcher.

3. The Roller should carefully lay the cans on their sides on the starting line (at the raised end of the inclined surface). When you’re sure the Catcher is ready, release both cans at the same time, and watch them roll. They should roll to the Catcher at about the same speed.

4. Return both cans to the Roller. The Roller should now select JUST ONE of the cans, and shake it vigorously for about 10 seconds. Repeat step 3 (Roll the cans to the Catcher again).

What’s Going On?

Wow! The unshaken can wins every time! This is because shaking the can knocks loose any bubbles sticking to the inner surface of the can. This causes the mass of the soda inside the can to be more evenly distributed throughout the can, causing it to roll more slowly. The unshaken can’s soda is (just a little tiny bit) more concentrated around the can’s axis of rotation (it’s center), and therefore rolls a little bit faster.

Think and talk about this!

There is a famous demonstration using a stool with a spinning seat. If you have one, you can try it. Spin on the stool with your arms held straight out. While spinning, pull your arms in tightly to your chest. Your spinning-speed will increase quickly!! It’s the same idea. The closer your mass is to your center, the faster you spin.

GRAPE JUICE CHEMISTRY

Objective: To observe Grape Juice’s natural ability to detect acids and bases.

Materials:

• Grape Juice (Juicy Juice works very well, even though it's not 100% Grape Juice)
• Water
• Baking Soda
• Citric Acid Crystals (substitute vinegar if you don’t have citric acid crystals)
• Spoon
• 3 Clear plastic cups or glasses (10-12 ounce capacity)
• Paper Towels (optional, but handy in case of an overflow)
  

Procedure:

1. Pour about 1 inch of Grape Juice into an empty cup. Then add about an inch of water to the Grape Juice to lighten its color.
2. Pour about 1 inch of water into a different cup. Add a spoonful of Baking Soda to this water and stir until dissolved (or mostly dissolved).
3. Pour about 1 inch of water into your last cup. Add a spoonful of Citric Acid Crystals to this cup and stir until dissolved (or mostly dissolved). If you don’t have citric acid crystals, pour 1 inch of vinegar into the cup for this step.

KEEP TRACK OF WHICH CUP IS WHICH!

4. Pour the Baking Soda liquid into the Grape Juice and watch for a color change. Cool! Grape Juice detects chemicals that are “alkaline” or “bases” by turning darkish green-ish!
5. Next, pour the Citric Acid liquid into the darkish green-ish liquid. Whoa!!

Grape juice detects acids by turning a very light color! And as you may have noticed, baking soda and citric acid react in an exciting way also.

What’s Going On?

Grape juice, like many other natural chemicals, reacts when different types of chemicals are mixed with it. Cabbage juice is another example of a natural acid/base indicator.

Think and Talk About This:

Do you think toothpaste is an acid or a base? How could you find out? What other chemicals could you test with your Grape Juice indicator? With mom or dad’s permission & help, design and experiment and try it out!

It's Rocket Season!

As a friend recently reminded me, spring is in the air, and for us nerds, that means it's time to start building & launching Estes Rockets. Chances are you haven't launched one in a long time, but can probably recall the thrill of pressing the button and hearing the hissing WHOOSH as the rocket thunders skyward.

If you haven't ever launched a rocket, then you are not much of a nerd (but we can help you). We've got two Estes Starter sets in stock, the Alpha III and the Taser.

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The Estes Alpha III is an E2X Starter Set. More people have started with this timeless, easy to build rocket than any other in the history of the world! Features include a bright molded one piece fin unit , nose cone and engines for two fantastic parachute recovered flights. The Estes Alpha III Starter Set is the standard for beginning starter sets.

Includes:

• Estes Alpha III Model Rocket kit
• Estes Electron Beam Launch Controller
• Estes Launch Pad
• Model rocket engines
• Parachute Wadding

What you'll need:

• White Glue
• Scissors
• 4 AA Batteries for the Launch Controller
• MSRP: $34.99

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The Estes Taser Launch Set has a 3-fin designed rocket that allows this sleek, high flier to soar up to 1,000 feet into the air! The Taser is another E2X skill level kit that is easy to assemble.

No painting is required with the pre-colored parts. After it's built, simply apply the great looking decals, and your ready to blast off. The Estes Taser rocket then glides back down on a colorful and pre-installed 12 inch parachute.


Includes:

• Taser Rocket
• Launch Pad
• Electron Beam Launch Controller
• Rocketeer's Guide to Model Rocketry

NOTE than unlike the Alpha III, the Taser does NOT include Rocket Motors. Those must be purchased separately.

MSRP: $29.99

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The best thing about either of these sets is that the Launch Pad and Launch Controller will work for any other rocket you ever build and launch. Invest in one starter kit now and you'll have years of launching to look forward to.

Family Science Night: Juice Box Jetpack!

Each month, Pow!Science! offers free, fun Family Science Nights.

At our Wakefield location, they're on the Wednesday of the third week of the month and in Providence they're the last Wednesday of each month.
When you attend a Family Science Night, you and your child or children sit down together and perform 3 fun & easy yet engaging Experiments. All materials are provided by your Pow!Science! professional, who also sticks around throughout the evening to help you out if you get stuck.

If you'd like to know when exactly our Family Science Nights are happening, check out the Online Events Calendar. You can also check out the full list of upcoming activities, workshops & more while you're there.

Registration for Family Science Night is Free, but because we can only fit 10 kids in per session (and because the price is right), they tend to fill up fast. If you can't make it to FSN, we can bring a bit of FSN to you. Keep reading to check out the procedure for the "Juice Box Jetpack" Experiment that we'll be performing in Providence's April 28th FSN and at Wakefield's next FSN in May.

To register for a Family Science Night, call your location of choice: Providence: (401) 432-7040 Wakefield: (401) 788-1024

As the title implies, you'll need an empty juice box, so this is a great experiment to perform after a snack!

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Juice Box Jetpack!

Objective: To observe Newton’s 3^rd Law of Motion (Action/Reaction) in cool new way!

Materials:

• Empty Juice Box
• String
• Water
• Something Pointy
• Something Sharp
  

Procedure:

1. Drink your juice.
   
2. Fold the flap on the top of the box up. You may have to pry up the corner flaps also. Using something sharp, cut open the top of the juice box and open it right up like a milk carton.
3. Using something pointy, poke holes in the top flaps of the juice box (see diagram).
4. Using something pointy, poke a hole in the lower right corner of the front AND in the lower right corner of the back of the juice box. In the diagram, you can see the hole in the lower right corner.
   
5. Pass the string through both top-holes and knot the string so that the box is hanging from the string—the top of the box should still be open.
6. Bring water and your juice box-on-a-string and stand over a sink, outside, or over a container--somewhere you don't care about getting wet.
7. THE TRICKY PART: TEAMWORK REQUIRED! One person holds the water in one hand and the hanging juice box (hold by the string) over the large container on the floor. The other person locates the two little holes in the bottom right corners of your juice box and covers them with their fingers.
8. The person holding the water pours the water into the top of the juice box.
9. The person covering the holes lets go!

What happens? Water should shoot out of the holes and cause the juice box to spin until the water runs out.

What’s Going On?

When you let go of the holes in the juice box, the water rushes out—that is a force. As the water leaves the carton, it pushes back on the carton with a second, equal force, just as the fuel burning out of a rocket propels it forward.

Think and Talk About This:

Look carefully at where the holes in the bottom of the box are located. Are they on the same side? Opposite sides? Would this experiment work differently if both holes were on the same side of the box?