THE SCIENCE MUSEUM IN A BOX

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Get 50% off your first box with the code SPOOKY

196 total reviews

Discover the Wonders of the Universe

Stemcell invites you to explore the universe with Matter, our monthly subscription box that brings the museum experience to your doorstep. Each month, our curators handpick the most captivating scientific treasures from around the globe, transforming your home into a personal exhibition space.

What's Inside?

Every month, Matter delivers a diverse array of scientific wonders curated to take your curious minds down intriguing rabbit holes, such as:

  • Interstellar Meteorites
  • Ancient Fossils
  • Rare Artifacts
  • Innovative Experiments
  • Extraordinary Specimens

Accompanied by research cards, these items provide scientific insights, historical context, and fascinating facts to enhance your experience.

Science for the Inquisitive Mind

Matter is perfect for any age:

  • College Students
  • Retired Engineers
  • Family Nights
  • Corporate Teams
  • Grandkids
  • Science Classes
  • Science Lovers

Subscribe today and embark on a monthly adventure through the universe, right from the comfort of your home.

  • 2–6 new items every month
  • Research card for every item
  • Over $60 value in every box

  • Recommended for Ages 7 to 13,700,000,000
  • Free & Simple Returns
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  • "Every science lover needs this"

  • "Like getting a museum delivered every month"

  • "A gift that keeps on giving year-round"

  • #1 Subscription Box That People Actually Swear By

  • Best Box of the Year
    2020 – 2023

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"It scratches the itch for weird (but awesome!) stuff in the mail."

★★★★★

Actual Customer Review

WHAT TO EXPECT

Every month's box has all-new items, but here's some of the common types of items to expect. Think of these like personal museum exhibits.

Museum-Grade Fossils

Fossils are the rocky remains of previous lifeforms that called this planet home millions to billions of years before we came along. We source our fossils from the most trusted experts and paleontologists in the field.

Start your personal museum of natural history.

[ ITEM #295 - SEA SNAKE FOSSIL - AGE: 55 MILLION YEARS ]

Concorde Airframe Fragment - Stemcell Science Shop

Historic Artifacts

Artifacts are like human-made fossils—objects that were created by people doing incredible scientific things. Our artifacts go through a tedious process of provenance verification and expert authentication.

By preserving these relics, you're creating a record of our species' achievements.

[ ITEM #328 - CONCORDE SUPERSONIC AIRCRAFT AIRFRAME FRAGMENT ]

Exotic Rocks & Minerals

Our species made it's first big leap into the Stone Age when we discovered we could make useful stuff with rocks—and we've been hooked on them since.

Learn about the science-based properties and applications of natural rocks, crystals, and minerals.

[ ITEM #040 - NATURAL CUBIC PYRITE CRYSTAL ]

Meteorites

These fragments of other worlds ended up colliding with our speck of a planet after drifting through the immense void of the universe.

Meteorites are among the most precious items we feature, which is why we have each of our meteorites fully analyzed, authenticated, and classified.

[ ITEM #248 - MARTIAN METEORITE NWA13187 ]

...And Much More

Other items have included research equipment, experiments, clever trinkets, and interesting gizmos.

We've even partnered with some of the biggest online names in science, like @physicsfun and Tyler Thrasher to develop new and innovative scientific items not available anywhere else.

[ ITEM #281 - GLASS KLEIN BOTTLE ]

SUBSCRIBE NOW

DETAILS

Collapsible content

Shipping Info

Your first box will ship upon ordering. Subsequent boxes will be delivered monthly, quarterly, or annually—it's up to you.

Each month's batch typically ships within the first week of each month—barring supply chain disruptions.

We ship globally, but there are some items we cannot ship outside of the US which we'll substitute with comparable items.

We prioritize reusable, recyclable, and compostable packaging materials and offset all shipping emissions.

Subscriber Benefits

Subscribers can choose to pause, modify, or end their subscription at any time from their account page.

You can even apply current promotions toward your next renewal from your account.

As a bonus, current matter subscribers will receive a custom code to take 15% off all purchases from Stemcell Science Shop, as well as exclusive pricing on our annual Best of Matter box.

[ ITEM #275 - SAND FROM THE SAHARA DESERT ]

FAQ

Will I receive repeat items?

Most subscribers will never get a repeat item. Each Matter box is unique, packed with scientific stuff you haven't seen before.

Occasionally we revisit a particularly amazing item, but we'll only repeat an item if it's been at least 3 years.

Do you offer educational discounts?

Yes, we do! We're all about spreading the love for science, and we understand that schools and teachers (and students) have tight budgets. That's why we offer special educational discounts to help bring our Matter boxes into your classrooms or learning programs.

These boxes are perfect for sparking students' curiosity and complementing your science curriculum.

Apply for educational discounts here, or send us a purchase order from your school. Let's make science exciting and accessible for your learners!

How can my company collab with Matter?

If your lab or company produces a scientific item, or if our organizations' missions align, we would love to explore collaboration. Whether you're a burgeoning start-up or an established industry leader, we're open to a range of partnerships that drive science forward.

Past collaborations have included sponsorships, sourcing custom items, and even curating themed boxes.

Can I get Matter boxes for my work team?

Absolutely! Matter boxes are a fantastic way to spark curiosity and add a bit of science fun to your workplace. Whether it's for a team-building activity, a unique reward, or just to give your office a cool science vibe, we've got you covered.

We'll make sure they're packed with intriguing items that'll get everyone talking. Plus, it's a great way to mix up the usual office routine with some brain-tingling science.

Just let us know how many you need, and we'll handle the rest!

How many items will be in my box?

To ensure we get a varied mix of types of items, we guarantee a total value of $60+ in each box rather than a specific quantity of items. Historically, we've stayed between 2–8 items in every box, but each of these boxes had a similar total value.

AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEED

At Matter, integrity is our cornerstone. We adhere to the highest standards of authenticity, ensuring that every item included in our collections is rigorously verified.

Working with Trusted Partners: Our commitment to excellence drives us to collaborate only with reputable collectors, scientists, and industry experts. Our extensive network of professionals scrutinizes each item, validating its authenticity and quality.

Our Confidence, Your Assurance: If we aren't 100% confident in an item's authenticity, it doesn't make it into the box. This unwavering standard reflects our dedication to providing you with a trustworthy and transparent experience.

A Seal of Trust: Every Matter box is a symbol of our promise to you - a promise that upholds the genuine essence of scientific exploration. Our meticulously curated collections are designed to inspire, educate, and resonate, all while maintaining an unbreakable commitment to authenticity.

Your trust is our priority, and we're here to ensure your experience with Matter is nothing short of exceptional.

WHERE OUR ITEMS COME FROM

We have dedicated years to cultivating a supplier network that bridges every corner of the scientific world. From the dusty terrains of fossil excavation sites to the gleaming aisles of state-of-the-art laboratories, our reach encompasses an incredible array of scientific domains.

Whether it's a rare mineral specimen or a cutting-edge piece of technology, our connections allow us to source virtually anything in the realm of science. Our extensive network is meticulously developed to ensure quality and authenticity, offering you unparalleled access to the tools, materials, and innovations that fuel scientific discovery.

Customer Reviews

Based on 196 reviews
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Z
Z. (Illinois, United States)
Great Subscription Box

An amazing set of surprises every month. I just added another year.

W
W. (Ohio, United States)
Science Classroom

Love these for my classroom!

E
E.M. (Utah, United States)
Fantastic

My son loves science and he is so excited to explore these boxes. It's truly feeding that curiosity that he has and it's because of programs like these, he knows being a scientist is achievable.

S
S.K. (Illinois, United States)
The Coolest Subscription Box!

*Edit* I came back to add to my review after receiving my most recent box, which made me cry tears of joy. All boxes are awesome, but this one was especially cool to me. Imagine putting your hand into a little fabric bag and pulling out a wild boar vertebra! I love all bones and fossils and it makes me so happy to add things to my collection that have been collected recently as well as prehistoric specimens. This subscription box really covers all interests and is sure to make you happy.

Original Review:

I have been more than happy with every single Matter Box I have received. I have incorporated most of the items into my museum styled living room and the display is complimented frequently by guests. The boxes come with cards that explain what the items are. I have put the cards in a binder and find myself reading them often and appreciating being able to have these little bits of science and history in my life.

R
R.H. (South Dakota, United States)
Awesome!

This subscription is for my 11 year old and he is absolutely thrilled about what he gets! He really liked the particle accelerator fragment!

T
T.B. (Arkansas, United States)

Matter Scientific Subscription Box

WE TAKE SCIENCE SERIOUSLY

You deserve better than craft store science products. And we think learning is more impactful when you're holding a tangible piece of what you're learning about. That's why Stemcell exists.

We're dedicated to providing the best scientific products available—whether they're fragments of scientific importance, experimental activities, or just interesting things that scratch your curiosity itch.

With every new product launch, our list of new ideas gets longer rather than shorter. So check in often for our latest projects, and thanks for being a part of our endeavor to make the world a smarter place to live.

Believe in yourself; for everything else, there's science.

— TERRY MUDGE, FOUNDER & SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR