the $800 price tag seems reasonable if you compare the 1982 introductory price of the Commodore 64 at $595 (approx. $1,500 today)[0]. Most parents were buying the c64 or a similarly priced computer for their children's education and entertainment. From that POV the pricing for this biology kit, if you kids are scientifically enthusiastic, seems reasonable.
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64