We spark imaginative learning when school is out for lunch or for the day! (Also great for community centre programming and home-schooled groups).  These hands-on, one-hour science programs are themed around a particular area of science and include such topics as rocketry, magnets, polymers, weather, chemistry, space, detective science, the science of toys and much much more. Children engage in exciting hands-on activities, watch spectacular demonstrations, participate in inquiry-based discussions and take home things that they have made themselves like model rockets, periscopes, Mad Science putty, atomic coins, cameras, robotic arms and so much more. Mad Science after-school programs offer children a chance to see just how cool science can be!    See more below about programming and participating locations.

Mad Science After-School Programs…

are hands-on and inquiry-based meet provincial science curriculum standards are led by trained, qualified and dynamic instructors follow professional lesson plans use unique equipment and original materials are age-appropriate and loved by children offer schools, community centers and home-schooled groups great value are easy to plan and hassle-free to run

 

For a schedule of current participating schools and/or centres go to http://register.madscience.org/calgary.  HINT:  search by date range to see entire schedule for a session (Fall, Winter and Spring) or phone us at (403) 263-4140.

NEW FOR 2009/2010!!!:

THE ACADEMY OF MAD SCIENCE EXPLORERS

This 8-week program explores cool topics from the Mad Science Lab.  Students will participate in dozens of hands-on activities and witness stunning demonstrations in this program jam-packed with fun, education and variety!  Brand new *Mad Science take-home products accompany each class to reinforce the concepts learned and allow the students to continue to explore after the class is done.  The classes are as follows:

Watts Up:  The sparks will fly as we explore the world of static electricity.  Students will create static fields and witness a sparking light demonstration with our electrostatic machine, the Van de Graff Generator.  Children take home their own Mad Science *Static Stick Kit for shocking fun at home.

Sonic Sounds:  This class has got some real good vibes!  Engaging sound experiments and lively demonstrations illustrate the properties of groovy sound waves.  We manipulate the frequencies of student voices to make them sound not anything like themselves!  Children complete the class with their own Mad Science *Sonic Horn to make some wacky vibes at home with.

Optical Illusions:  Things are not quite what they seem in this topsy-turvy class that challenges students to see the physics of optical illusions.  Engaging demonstrations and activities teach students to the science of optics.  Students build and keep their very own Mad Science *Periscope.

Tantalizing Taste:  The nose knows!  Develop a taste for science in this flavorful class.  Hands-on experiments and tasty demonstrations will give students an excellent introduction and/or better understanding of the sense of taste and smell.  Children will take home their own Mad Science *Scratch 'n Match Kit.

Magnetic Magic:  Explore the two sides of magnetism!  Magnetic mysteries are solved as we explore the basic principles governing magnets.  Hands-on experiments create magnetic fields and forces and cool demonstrations illustrate the magnet's gravity-defying abilities.  The magnetic fun never ends when children take home their own Mad Science *Magnet Lab Kit.

Mission Nutrition:  Take a bite of nutritional pie!  Students perform experiments to learn how our bodies fuel up on food.  This class increase knowledge, stimulates motivation, and encourages healthy attitudes toward personal health, nutrition and fitness.  This class will have everyone stepping out with their own Mad Science *Step-O-Meter.

Harnessing Heat:  This class is hot and cool!  Learn all about heat and heat transfer as we explore the physical facts of heat.  Cool hands-on experiments heat up the learning with thermometer building and temperature tests.  Students learning experience is extended with the temperature-sensitive Mad Science *Heat Sheet.

Lights, Color Action!:  See the light in this fun-filled class that explores the world of light and color.  Activities involving spectrscopes, ultraviolet light and chromatography provide entertaining lessons on the science of light.  Children build and keep their own Mad Science *Technicolor Blender to play with Newton's color wheel at home.

THE ACADEMY OF MAD SCIENCE EXPLORERS will be available to schools in 3 different semesters: Fall (October), Winter (January) and Spring (April).

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND FOR 2009/2010!!!

This exciting 8-week program explores forensic and detective science!  Students will learn and apply the concepts, tools and techniques used by detectives, investigators and spies with spectacular hands-on activities, stunning demonstrations, cool take-home projects and inquiry-based discussions.  The classes are as follows:

Discover Detection:  Step into the shoes of a detective and uncover the science involved in evidence gathering and anlaysis.  Students will create, collect, and analyze evidence and discover what skills are necessary as a crime scene lab techinician.  Whodunit?  Students will find out using their Fingerprint Finder to place and identify UV prints.

Junior Detectives:  Are detectives really scientists in disguise?  Students will discover what it takes to be a detective in this hands-on look at detective science.  Using powers of observation and the Inspectikit, young scientists will have all they need to get started on their detective adventure.

Spy Academy:  Look out 007 - the Mad Science Spy Academy is in session!  From edible messages and decoding clues, students will have the opportunity to check out the skills that spies have in this journey into the world of espionage.  Students will make and take home their own Secret Code Breaker to communicate stealthily at home, like real spies.

Agent Undercover:  Students will learn what it takes to be successful in the spy world.  With the Undercover Observer, that students make and take home, they will step into the shoes of a spy in action.  The viewer allows them to observe visually; a key skill for agents undercover.

Sleuths on the Scene: Suspects, schematics and sleuths...oh my!  Connect the dots using science to help solve a crime in this hands-on investigation on the science of sleuthing.  Students can reconstruct the scene of a crime at home using their own Scene Solver.

Whodunit?:  Want to know who did it?  Students will test their skills and learn how the pros do it using careful techniques in handling evidence properly.  Using their own Whodunit Kit, students can practice the skills of recall and observation and are provided with character descriptions to reconstruct the face of a suspect.

Funky Forensics:  Figure out the science of forensics in this hands-on look at crime scenes.  Evidence collection and puzzle making will lead students to understand why forensic scientists like to understand the complete picture before making conclusions.  Students will use their Case Stamper to probe the science of tracking.

Crime Lab:  Got clues?  Analyze clues and get hot on the trail of a culprit with the Crime Labe program.  With the Spynoculars take home, students safely observe clues from afar.  The build-your-own binoculars are used to test the limits of magnified observation and are a diverting way to use observational skills.

Mad Science would be happy to come to your next parent council meeting to discuss this program and any questions you may have about Mad Science.

OTHER 8-WEEK PROGRAMS:

NASA ACADEMY OF FUTURE SPACE EXPLORERS:  Space Travel, Atmosphere & Beyond, Sun & Stars, Rocket Science, Planets & Moons, Space Phenomena, Living in Space & Space Technology.