Science Summer of Fun Series: Adventure Awaits

Science Summer of Fun Series: Adventure Awaits

Hands-On Exploration Starts Here: The Adventure Kit

Whether you’re venturing deep into the forest, poking around tide pools, or just exploring the wonders of your backyard, the Adventure Kit is your perfect companion. Designed with the budding naturalist in mind, this thoughtfully curated kit contains everything a curious explorer needs to observe, collect, and document the natural world.

Inspiring Curiosity Through Exploration

There’s something magical about the moment a child discovers a strange bug, a mysterious rock, or an unusual plant. The Adventure Kit helps capture that magic, turning every outing into a hands-on science expedition. Ideal for all ages, it encourages critical thinking, observation skills, and an appreciation for nature—all while having fun.

Whether you're leading a homeschool science unit, planning a weekend camping trip, or simply looking to inspire screen-free discovery, this kit makes it easy to dive into citizen science, nature journaling, and specimen collection.

What’s Inside the Adventure Kit?

Each item in the kit has been carefully selected to balance rugged durability with scientific utility:

  • Cotton Drawstring Bag — Printed with a handy Poisonous Plant Guide for safety and education on the go
  • Canvas Tool Roll — Keeps tools organized and accessible in the field
  • Magnifying Glass — Perfect for up-close looks at insects, minerals, or plant details
  • 6 Pyrex Test Tubes + Corks — Collect and store soil samples, seeds, or water from a stream
  • Stainless Steel Tweezers and Folding Scissors — Great for precise collection without disturbing delicate specimens
  • Streak Plates — For budding geologists and chemists to test mineral streaks or perform basic experiments
  • Specimen Collection Box — Safely store found treasures and samples
  • Pocket Shovel — Handy for digging into dirt layers or unearthing buried rocks
  • Inspection Mirror — Check under leaves, logs, or in hard-to-see nooks and crannies
  • Aluminum Water Bottle — Stay hydrated while you explore
  • Observation Notebook and Pencil — Record your discoveries, sketch your finds, and build your naturalist journal
  • 6" Brass Ruler — For accurate measurement of specimens and terrain features
  • LED Flashlight — Essential for nighttime expeditions or peering into dark crevices
  • Lensatic Compass — Learn basic navigation and orienteering skills
  • First Aid Kit — A safety essential for any adventure

Bonus Tool for the Ultimate Naturalist: The Audubon Bird Call

For those with a special interest in avian life, the Audubon Bird Call is a powerful addition to your nature toolkit. Compact enough to carry on a keychain, this tiny instrument opens a whole new dimension of wilderness interaction.

The bird call produces its distinctive chirp by twisting a birchwood cylinder against a cast zinc plug. By varying the pressure and speed of rotation, you can imitate a wide range of bird sounds with remarkable accuracy.

Originally designed by Italian songbird hunters, the device tricks nearby birds into thinking others are calling in the area—luring them closer for easy observation. With some practice, it becomes not just a tool for attraction, but also one for bird identification.

Each call is handmade and individually tuned in the USA. The included rosin capsule keeps its chirp crisp and distinctive for years.

Fire-Making Science: The Ferrocerium Fire Starter

Need to spark a fire while out in the wild? Meet the Ferrocerium Fire Starter—a compact and reliable tool for campfires, cooking, and emergencies.

This metal alloy’s origin traces back to 1903, when Austrian scientist Baron Carl Auer von Welsbach was experimenting with rare earth elements. He discovered that combining 70% cerium with 30% iron produced a material that sparked intensely when scraped. These shavings oxidize instantly, igniting at nearly 430°F.

Although often called magnesium rods, ferrocerium fire starters actually contain only trace amounts of magnesium. The "flint" found in most lighters today is based on this same technology.

To use, firmly strike a piece of steel along the rod’s surface. Sparks will fly, ready to light dry kindling or tinder—making this an essential tool for survival skills or backcountry camping.

Why These Tools Matter

  • STEM-Friendly: Encourages real-world engagement with biology, geology, chemistry, and environmental science
  • Built for Curiosity: Durable, field-ready gear made for hands-on, independent learning
  • Eco-Conscious: Reusable tools and natural materials minimize environmental impact
  • Time-Tested and Trusted: Tools like the Audubon Bird Call and Ferrocerium Rod have proven practical in both traditional and modern use

Let Curiosity Lead the Way

The best science starts with simple questions. What’s under that rock? Why is this bird calling? How do you start a fire without matches? With the Stemcell Adventure Kit, Audubon Bird Call, and Ferrocerium Fire Starter, kids and adults alike can turn those questions into discoveries—and adventures.

Because every great explorer starts with wonder—and wonder begins outside.

Back to blog