Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mad Science?

Founded in Montreal, Canada in 1985, Mad Science has grown to over 180 locations in over 25 countries. We are the world’s leader in fun science for children. Mad Science conducts educational, entertaining and hands-on science activities for pre-school and elementary age children. Our unique brand of exciting, interactive activities instills a clearer understanding of how science affects the world around them. Through Mad Science, your child will be able to touch, see, hear, smell and taste what science is really all about.

Mad Science conducts an assortment of activities featuring fun, hands-on science including:

After-school Science Clubs In-class Workshops Spectacular Science Assemblies Birthday Parties Summer Camps

My child has taken or seen Mad Science before. Is this class the same stuff?

Mad Science has access to over 300 hours of programming and over 2000 demonstrations and experiments. Most of the programming for our After School Programs is different from that of our Camps and from that of our Birthday Parties. For our After School Programs alone we have 7 distinct courses comprised of 8 different classes each.

Every semester Mad Science will offer only 2 of these courses at most School's. Click Here for a List of Schools.  Therefore, should your host organization elect to offer a Mad Science Science Club in each of our two semesters of the year, it may be 3 years or more before the same course is offered again.

On occasion a child may take the same course twice. We find the child usually learns something different from the repetition and still enjoys himself. If you find yourself in this situation please contact the host organization for their refund policy.

What will my child be doing in each class?

That is a tough question as every class is different! Your child may be making a rocket or creating slime or discovering lasers or generating electricity or investigating magnets or making movie sound effects or a bunch of other cool stuff.

One thing we can tell you -- your child will definitely have fun (and they might even learn something)!

Every Mad Science class emphasizes hands-on learning. Your child will be doing a lot of the activities himself or in small groups of students of a similar age or grade. Most of our classes feature a take-home activity or project that your child makes in class and which illustrates the scientific principles presented in that day's class to continue to learn through play.

Please consult the registration materials you received from your host organization for the exact classes your child will experience. You can also click HERE to view a list and description of each of our After School Science Club classes.

Who are your instructors?

How big are the classes?

Our classes require a minimum enrollment of 12 students. To ensure the hands-on, interactive nature of our instruction, class size will be capped at 24. If more than 20 children are interested, we'll provide 2 Mad Science Instructors for that class.  If more than 24 kids are interested in Mad Science, additional classes may be offered. Should enrollment allow, classes may be grouped by grades (ex. K-2 and 3-5).

When do the classes take place?

Class times and days are dependent on our host locations. Please consult your registration materials. If Mad Science is handling the registration, you can view the class details in our Registration System. Please click HERE.

Is my child guaranteed a spot in class?

Not necessarily. Mad Science classes are very popular. Depending on your host organization, they may have limited space and thus use a lottery system to determine participation or they may have the ability to accommodate all interested students.

It is always a good idea to register your child as soon as possible. If your host organization is using the Mad Science Registration System, we recommend that you take advantage of this on-line system. Through this system you can elect to pay by check or credit card.

When is payment required?

You will be required to pay in full at the time of your registration. You may pay by either check or credit card. If paying by check through the Mad Science Registration System, your check must be received in our office within 7 days or your registration may be cancelled.

Will you call each student to confirm registration?

If the Mad Science Registration System is being used, you will receive a system generated e-mail of your registration confirmation. Unless something changes with your class, this typically will be the only communication you receive.  We do however, attempt to contact you via email and/or phone call as a friendly reminder the night before the classes are scheduled to begin.  This is a courtesy and therefore is not guaranteed.

What are the expectations of the child and parent(s) for this class?

Mad Science strives at all times to provide fun and safe science activities for all children participating in our classes.

To fulfill this commitment, we ask that all children enrolled adhere to basic behavioral guidelines. Our instructors set clear boundaries and expectations as to appropriate conduct and we will hold all students to these expectations. In addition, Mad Science will follow all of your school’s rules and policies regarding student behavioral expectations. We stress at the beginning of each class that the school rules are still in effect.

We ask your cooperation should any parent be notified of discipline problems. It is our intention to provide children with, not deprive them of, exciting and fun science. It is only when a child interrupts this positive learning environment that we would take any such action.

Mad Science also has expectations of the parents whose children are enrolled. Only children with a sincere interest in our programs and the necessary maturity to handle an extension of the school day should be allowed to enroll. Parents are welcome to observe any class and to participate where appropriate. All parents should support the learning process at home.

Where/how do I pick up my child after class?

For your child’s safety, an approved guardian must pick up your child promptly at the dismissal of class. Typically this pick up takes place at the normal car rider area and parents are required to have their child's name on the dash.  Some school's the pick up take place from the classroom in which the Mad Science class is conducted.  During our attempt to contact you via email and/or phone call the night befor the program begins, we will also provide pick up instructions.  Please contact your school if you do not receive a phone call and/or email for the exact pickup procedures for your class. 

Mad Science reserves the right to charge a late pickup fee of $1.00 per minute beginning 10 minutes after the stated end time of class. This fee must be paid directly to the Mad Scientist who has supervised your child. Your child cannot return to class until this fee is paid. A second late pickup will result in your child being removed from class.

What if my child misses a session?

If you know in advance that your child will not be able to attend on a certain date, please let us know prior to registration and payment. We may be able to accommodate your child in another class. However, once we have started the course, we will be unable to offer refunds for any missed sessions.

What is your inclement weather/class cancellation policy?

Mad Science will follow the inclement weather and school closure policy of the school district/host organization in which we are instructing. In the case of inclement weather, we will  contact you to determine a make up day if your Mad Science class does not run. 

Do you offer scholarships?

Please check with your school for the availability and awarding of scholarships.