One of the top projected trends for 2008 in the toy industry is in the area of education/science, including mostly toys and products for children and parents. Over recent years, the debate as to whether children are receiving adequate education and weekly instruction in science and math to keep the United States competitive has become louder, growing a new trend of educational products and websites geared to assist educators and parents.
Mini Me Geology (www.MiniMeGeology.com) is the first company to take this area of science to a new level for children and educators, offering rock samples from around the world and interactive projects.
Tracy Barnhart, a professional geologist, discovered children’s interest in science after visiting her son’s kindergarten class for career day. Positive that none of them would quite understand what she did at an environmental consulting firm, she took rock, mineral and gemstone samples with her and explained what a geologist is, and what they do. The children were thrilled! Later Barnhart learned that her son was spending roughly an hour a week learning about science, and it got her thinking.
Barnhart started Mini Me Geology in March 2007 and it is the only company in the world offering a diverse line of geology kits, individual rocks and related products along with an online component that keeps educators and children coming back to learn more.
