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The Toy Man® News & Views
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Product Reviews / Evaluation Report Summaries (ERS) |
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Induction Certificate Number:
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74020120629-583
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Induction Date:
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June 29, 2012
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Certificate License
Status: | Active |
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BionicBlox Foundations Kit
by:
Rev. James G.W. Fisher - Editor / Product Evaluation Expert
Evaluation Report Summary (ERS) Date:
06/29/2012
The Foundation Series is a start-up architectural construction and building toy kit. Countless creations from towers, spaceships, furniture and houses can be built from this set. [ Please refer to A-2-Z Company Index for contact information.]
Participating in our eco-Recognition™ Project to encourage greenBusiness™
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Product Type
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Release Year
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Primary Usage
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Target Age / Max. Weight
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Target Gender
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Architectural Elements |
2011 |
Consumer/Education |
3 to12 Years+ |
Female/Male
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Evaluation Report Summary (ERS) - Index
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Evaluation Report Summary (ERS) Category Rating Scores |
Category rating scores are based on scale from 1 to 5. Rating score must be 3 or higher to pass in each evaluation category.
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Cost Benefit |
Durability |
Hybrid-Application |
FunFactor™ / Popularity |
Marketability |
Skill Improvement |
5 |
5 |
4.5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Final product / service rating is averaged from the sum total of ALL applicable evaluation category scores. Only scores of "3" or higher are published.
There are a total of 357 evaluation categories which are used in our evaluation process.
(NOTE: Not all categories are applicable to any one product or online service.)
Only 6 of the evaluation category rating scores for this New Inductee's evaluation are featured for public view.
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Critical Evaluation Information These icons represent important attributes with which this product / service
is associated, contributes to, or encourages development of.
Select any of the unique icons below to learn more about the specific attribute it represents. |
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Trade Industry Sales Types
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Industry Memberships
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Safety / Quality Classifications
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CE Marked | UL Approved | JPMA Certified |  | (Not Applicable) | | | ASTM Compliant | eco-Friendly | eco-Conscious |  |  |  |
UPC Code / ISBN# | Manufacturer SKU | Age Grading | 804879393849 | BB-FOUND-PB-26x75 | Labeled/Appropriate |
Manufactured In | Safety Hazard/Warnings | U.S.A. | |
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About Our New Inductee
A quick yet informative glance at what this New Inductee is all about. |
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Introducing...BionicBlox™ Foundation Kit, an architectural construction and building toy kit, produced by BionicBlox™. What sets them apart from leading products such as Citiblocs, or Keva Planks? BionicBlox™ have broken the barriers that standard wooden plank building kits have never been able to overcome.
Although wooden plank building kits have been around for plenty of years for consumers and educational industry, patience and emotional control are of major necessity. Not so with BionicBlox™. Whether young or old, countless creations ranging from towers, spaceships, to furniture and houses can be built from this set without fear of planks falling off and having to start all over again. |
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"BionicBlox is REALLY neat! I was able to build this really cool thing to show my Dad without all the pieces falling off.
* A quote from the 7 year old child who built this design at our consumer hands-on evaluation event in Orlando, Fl. Click on the image to see the enlarged version. |
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With the BionicBlox™ Foundation Kit set you have all of the basic pieces for creative construction and building. With 26 Bionic Star connectors and 75 wood beams, children have the freedom to build bridges, towers, and arches.
Your child will learn measurement, angles, proportions and basic physics by using these Bionic Star connectors to connect the wooden planks, taking their vision and turning it into a reality. A perfect example of this is the image above which was built by a 7 year old boy in about 30 minutes! (Be sure and click on the image to see the enlarged version.)
What makes this image so special is the fact that multiple concepts of physics and engineering were used. The average person will tend to apply one single design concept into the building of a project. This 7 year old carefully and methodically applied use of much more than that and in such a proficient manner!
The most impressive factor of the entire scenario is that we were able to easily pick up this creation, pack it up, and ship it back to Calif. still perfectly intact! This is but one of the many advantages of BionicBlox™. |
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Additional Details and Perspectives
More than just a cursory glance with aspects of relative importance. |
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Independent Evaluator Reports
Extensive independent study and analysis by credentialed scholars. |
The information to follow is comprised of excerpts from inclusive detailed Evaluator Reports pertaining to this New Inductee. These reports have been prepared by top credentialed scholars from their own extensive independent study and analysis. |
* These excerpts have been posted verbatim, paraphrased, or a combination of both, in order to encapsulate the primary details conveyed in each of the evaluation reports in a brief summary form. |
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Structural Wood Design Engineer, Ph.D., P.E.
Professor of Environmental Engineering
"The Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit is an open-ended construction set for creative abstract structural application. Just as most wood construction kits on the market I have evaluated, the Bionic Blox™ kit incorporates the use of identical wooden planks that have been precisely measured and cut to provide a consistency in size and shape."
"Each of the wooden planks has been made from high quality pine with a near perfectly smooth surface. This is of the highest importance to meet all required safety standards. Parents and teachers can be assured that each piece has no sharp corners or edges and is safe for toddlers and children of all ages. The wood comes from an easily replenish able source in China. The balance of the components of the kit are made in the USA."
"The key difference from other wood construction kits is what the developer of the product is refers to as 'Bionic Star' connectors. These connectors allow for a child or adult working with the Bionic Blox to gain a notion of design loads, use of beams, girders, columns, diaphragms, and connections.
"No matter what the age of the person, the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit provides a means to step beyond the limitations of the common wood construction kits. They can now move into entirely new realms of creative abstract structural building, with a glance of the basic physics of engineering and architectural design." |
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Professor of Educational Studies, PhD Ed
Educational Psychologist, Department of Learning Development
"In my studies of the Bionic Blox for application in the learning environment, I found them to have a strong influence in the rapid proliferation of developmental skills. The Bionic Blox are responsible for a greater level of conceptualization, measurement, and generation of interest than the results established with the basic wooden planks by themselves.
The Bionic Blox by no means lessens the value or functionality of the wooden planks but rather represents the next stage in the evolution and practicality in the use of them.
The Bionic Blox in actuality provide an extension of the wood construction kits that are prevalent in use today. The wooden planks from other kits are 100% compatible with the Bionic Blox connectors and make purchase of one of the Bionic Blox kits a solid return on investment."
"Where the Bionic Blox have gone beyond the limitations of the wooden plank construction kits is the capability to now use geometric angles
that before could not ever be accomplished. More important is that whether a project be in creation or completed in its entirety, the structure will remain intact even if bumped into or other common unknown factor were to occur.
Having the assured stability the Bionic Blox have introduced, this contributes to positive psychological development, reducing the level of lack of motivation to construct to near zero. Bionic Blox are a must as an addition for the educational environment as well as at home." |
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Consumer Hands-on Evaluation
Details about the experience at our consumer hands-on evaluation event. |
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Orlando, Fl had a new surprise coming during our consumer hands-on evaluation event where along with the rest of the man products we brought for evaluation, the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit was subjected to the mercy of the consumers.
This proved to be a very interesting experience as far as educational and creative-fun category products were concerned. Where one of the board games had a line that seemed to go on forever of people waiting to evaluate that product, the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit had plenty its share to boast of as well.
The Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit brought "...a unique new perspective to education and child development." in the eyes of one of our consumer hands-on evaluation participants. According to her feedback sheet info, she is a teacher who remains very conscious of the needs for kids in this generation. She is constantly seeking to identify what she sees as more effective educational products to make a difference for her students.
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"Bionic Blox is one of the most innovative new products I have seen in some time. It provides a medium that allows me to cover a wider range of educational lessons with my students. They will be able to have plenty more fun in learning."
* A quote from an elementary school teacher, taken from her feedback form she submitted following our consumer hands-on evaluation event. |
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Throughout our consumer hands-on evaluation event we were never short of participants waiting in line to play with the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit. The best part of the event was a 7 year old boy who was responsible for the creation you see in the image in the first section of this ERS.
In our speaking with an elementary school teacher who was participating with her children in the event, she agreed that the 7 year old boy demonstrated an exceptional level of applying himself for his age. At the same time, other kids around him gazing in amazement as he carefully constructed his creation in a period of roughly 30 minutes!
Once the event was over and we had examined all videos, feedback forms, and our own staff notes, we compiled the results and the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit passed this evaluation category for Consumer Hands-On Evaluation flawlessly. It was yet another of the elite products that wowed the crowd. |
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Evaluation Category Rating Scores and Summary
A sampling of the evaluation category rating
scores from the product review itself. |
There are a total of 357 evaluation categories in our entire evaluation process. (Not all categories apply to any one product or service under evaluation.) |
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COST BENEFIT:: Rating Level - [5] 
COST BENEFIT of the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit was well beyond our expectations.
The Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit was a shoe-in when it comes to COST BENEFIT. When you take into consideration that Citiblocs, KEVA Planks and most other wooden building sets are interchangeable with the Bionic Blox, then Bionic Blox are in actuality, the next stage of wooden building sets. Bionic Blox are an extension of most wooden building sets currently available and add greater value to that investment.
When you consider the combination of price point combined with the functionality and quality that Bionic Blox have to offer, the end result is the highest of value in regard to COST FACTOR with the highest probable return on investment of any wooden building set currently available today.
After reviewing all feedback forms, video tapes, staff notations and category rating sheets, it was clear to see that the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit earned a perfect score of [5] stars
for COST BENEFIT.
DURABILITY: Rating Level - [5] 
DURABILITY was yet another one of the many evaluation categories in which the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit excelled so highly. Just as with all other products submitted for our review, the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit was put through and extensive number of tests, pushing each piece well beyond CPSIA and EU standards for approval in this evaluation category.
Many forms of flex tests were applied to all pieces of the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit in addition to saturation tests to determine level of risk with exposure to liquids for extended period of time. After all tests were completed, the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit test results passed successfully and without any sign of potential failure.
After reviewing all feedback forms, video tapes, staff notations and category rating sheets, it was clear to see that the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit achieved a perfect score of [5] stars
for DURABILITY.
HYBRID-APPLICATION™: Rating Level - [5] 
In our evaluation of the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit in regard to HYBRID-APPLICATION™, the product excelled to the highest level. Whether in home use of educational facilities, the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit was a perfect fit, especially in public schools facilities and preschools. All of the families participating in the home study were thrilled with the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit and the results that came from their children's use of it.
The reports we received from the educational facilities were nothing short of stellar. According to a psychologist and two teachers we spoke with, there were a number of students that "...were somewhat reticent until the introduction of the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit. Soon after its introduction into the classroom environment, there was a remarkable improvement in their social interaction and evidence of substantial creative skill improvement."
After reviewing all feedback forms, video tapes, staff notations and category rating sheets, the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit reached a perfect score of [5] stars
for HYBRID-APPLICATION™.
FUNFACTOR™ / POPULARITY: Rating Level - [5] 
In the category for funFactor™ / Popularity there wasn't any effort required at all to establish an accurate rating score for the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit. There was nothing but fun and laughter not to say a competitive spirit combined with the funFactor™ clearly evident and in strong supply with everyone. While the funFactor™ was no where close to being in short supply, the same applied for popularity, if not even more so.
There was significant signs of people becoming literally addicted to trying to outdo each other with their own creative ideas in their building. The Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit literally serves as a fountain of excitement.
After reviewing all feedback forms, video tapes, staff notations and category rating sheets, the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit pulled its weight all the way to a perfect score of [5] stars
for funFactor™ / Popularity.
MARKETABILITY: Rating Level - [5] 
The Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit rose well above products of similar class in this evaluation category for MARKETABILITY. Although the plastic connectors are a feature that is unique to the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit, the primary core of the product is wooden planks of equal size and shape, thus the phrase "similar class" is being used here.
The Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit has a very strong marketing advantage not just from its being "Made In The USA". What you have is the "Bionic Star" connectors that provide a distinct advantage over other wooden building sets. At the same time, they add even greater marketability due to the fact that the planks from other wooden building sets are fully interchangeable with the "Bionic Star" connectors!
Considering the high quality pine used and all other factors, the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit maintains a tremendous level of MARKETABILITY. Retailers we have spoken with have all agreed what an incredible value that the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit can bring to their stores.
After reviewing all feedback forms, video tapes, staff notations and category rating sheets, it was clear to see that the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit achieved a perfect score of [5] stars
for MARKETABILITY.
SKILL IMPROVEMENT: Rating Level - [4.5] 
The Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit pulled its way to the top in comparison to other products of like kind in the market according to our consumer feedback and based upon a number of other factors used in our evaluation.
Just as with other wooden building sets we have inducted in the past, the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit plays an important part in the development of tactile touch, motor skills, spatial / dimensional judgment, and so much more. These are all key elements which are made possible by a person of any age taking the time to play with the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit and allow their creative imagination to do be unleashed.
No matter what the age of the individual, the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit can serve as a tool to change a life; to bring new joy and excitement seldom experienced. For some, the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit may very well be the catalyst they have been seeking to finally allow their creative imaginations to finally gain focus and purpose. The Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit provides a substantial contribution to skill improvement
After reviewing all feedback forms, video tapes, staff notations and category rating sheets, it was clear to see that the Bionic Blox™ Foundation Kit pulled its weight to an almost perfect score of [4.5] stars
for SKILL IMPROVEMENT.
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Since 1971, "The Toy Man®
Seal of Approval" has served as an emblem and standard for professional recognition
of a product or online service having met the globally recognized evaluation standards of
The Toy Man® Product Guide.
This emblem was first established in 1971 by the International Parenting Institute™. It is modeled
after the "Good
Housekeeping Seal of Approval®",
an emblem of recognition for products which meet the globally recognized high standards set forth by
the Good Housekeeping Institute®.
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THE TOY MAN®
ECO-RECOGNITION SEAL
"An emblem of the highest recognition...
for support of ecological concerns applied in full measure." |
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The Toy Man® eco-Recognition Seal™ embodies the highest recognition for products and services which provide a significant contribution to ecological concerns by one or more of the following; |
- earthFriendly™ / Recycled / Recyclable materials are being used primarily or entirely in the manufacturing of the product.
- Product is or will soon be available exclusively or primarily online.
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THE TOY MAN®
AWARDS
"These are globally recognized awards that are received by a limited few,
yet they provide the well earned recognition well beyond the average that is truly deserved!" |
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"The Toy Man® Award of Excellence" is awarded to inductees that have an overall Evaluation Category Rating Average, ECRA™, of [5] Stars. That is the highest level of rating available on a 1-5 scale evaluation model. The ECRA™ is
based upon the overall average from all applicable
evaluation categories" |
PLEASE NOTE: There are a
total of 357 evaluation categories with a minimum of
231 being applicable to any one product or online service in our evaluation process with 6 being featured in the Evaluation Report Summary, ERS. |
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The
Toy Man
® Award serves as an emblem of recognition for products & online services that contribute substantially to positive skill growth and/or productivity.
This distinguished award is exclusive as well as unique, with the editor's signature which represents a product being selected as an  |
PLEASE NOTE: The eChoice™ Award images which were used from 1971-1984, 1984-2007 and 2007-April 2010 have been retrired. Although the versions of the eChoice™ Award have been retired, they still remain valid. |
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