An active scientific community is critical to a country’s economic competitiveness. Unfortunately, in a climate of declining educational budgets, large classroom sizes and increased teacher workloads, science is a subject that is too easily neglected.

There is a pressing need for quality, enriched science education to spark children’s interest in science.

A Washington Post article reported that, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, more than 80 per cent of high school students in the United States lacked basic scientific proficiency. A stunning 71% of fourth graders and 68% of eighth graders lacked the knowledge and skills needed to apply basic scientific principles. (The Washington Post, November 21, 2001)

“Before It’s Too Late: A Report to the Nation from the National Commission on Math and Science Teaching for the 21st Century” summarized the results of an in-depth, nationwide study as follows: “In an age now driven by the relentless necessity of scientific and technological advance, the current preparation that students in the United States receive in mathematics and science is, in a word, unacceptable.”

A National Centre for Education Statistics report entitled “Trends in Science Performance,” indicates that science performance in 9, 13 and 17-year olds has started declining during the first years of the new millennium.

As governments place increased scientific literacy among their top priorities, Mad Science is well positioned to satisfy a pressing need: sparking children’s interest in science.

Children are born scientists: they are naturally curious about the world around them, and learn through hands-on experimentation. Science is more than facts and formulas. It is a process of investigation based upon questioning and experimentation. Mad Science exploits children’s natural curiosity and desire to touch, see and do, providing them with the opportunity to engage in hands-on exploration and witness truly amazing scientific phenomena. Practice and research have proven our hands-on approach to be the most effective way of promoting learning, and improving children’s perceptions of science.

With the help of parents and educators interested in providing children with the best science experience possible, Mad Science is helping to create the next generation of scientists.