The TAKS Pak workshop series is designed to supplement your school’s current science curriculum by using hands-on experiments and exciting demonstrations to introduce students to the four TAKS Elementary Science Objectives. Mad Science offers two Pak Programs: a Five-Week and a Ten-Week Program. The Five-Week Program is designed as an overview to highlight the topics found in each Objective. The Ten-Week Program offers more in-depth coverage of the specific skills listed in each Objective. More than two sessions are spent on each objective; multiple experiments and demonstrations convey the details of the four objectives.
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1. I get the gist, but how does the TAKS Pak work?
The TAKS Pak is a series of one-hour workshops that uses fun science to teach fourth and fifth graders the four TAKS objectives tested for in the fifth grade. In each workshop, Mad Science experiments and demonstrations are used to help students grasp the “Knowledge and Skills Statements” outlined by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Workshops are taught in school and students make a “take-home” so that they can bring a piece of their experience home with them.
2. How thorough is the coverage in the TAKS Pak?
Mad Science offers two Pak Options: a five-week overview and a ten-week in-depth program. The five-week program is designed to highlight the most difficult concepts in each objective; a different objective is covered in each hour-long session. The ten-week program details all the concepts in each objective. Two weeks are spent on each objective; multiple experiments and demonstrations convey the details of the four objectives.
3. Does the TAKS Pak replace classroom instruction?
No! We can help your teachers by bringing fun science to the students, but nothing can substitute for ongoing learning in a classroom. The TAKS Pak is designed to supplement classroom instruction by emphasizing the specific skills and concepts outlined by the TEA.
4. Why should we use the TAKS Pak in our school?
Anyone who has spent more than five minutes with fourth and fifth graders knows how long their attention spans… Get the picture? Programs that use different methods of teaching get through to students; we use visual, tactile, and auditory teaching methods in our orkshops. With the TAKS Pak, students experience the TEA objectives, not just hear about them.
5. What if we can’t spare the time?
We will work with your needs! Ideally, the sessions should be conducted during class time so that all students have the opportunity to be involved. However, we can conduct after school sessions, schedule individual objective workshops, or customize other programs. Just ask!
6. Still need more information? Want to book a Pak?
If you would like to schedule a TAKS Pak, of if you have any questions, please call 713-663-7623 or click herefill out an online interest form.
The following Program Descriptions have been compiled to indicate how each hour-long session relates to the Objectives.
Five-Week Program
Detective Science – Discover how science is used to solve real crimes! Watch as the classroom is transformed into a crime lab for this exciting exploration of the fundamentals of forensics. Children will even take home their very own Child Identification Kit. It's so much fun, it's criminal! Related TAKS Objective: 1
Energy Burst – Explore the energy of motion (potential versus kinetic energy) and how energy can be conserved. Build a rubber band-powered rattlesnake egg to help learn all about energy — and scare your friends. Related TAKS Objective: 3
Exploring Ecosystems – Not all webs are made by spiders! See how plants and animals are connected and how they interact with their surroundings. Construct an Eco-Cube and take home your very own Journal so that you can continue your ecology adventures at home! Related TAKS Objective: 2 and 4
Space...The Final Frontier – These are the voyages of young inquiring minds on a quest to discover Space! Their mission: to take an exciting look at planets, moons, comets, and the stars…to boldly go where bright young minds love to go (space suits not required). Children will return from their mission with their own piece of the skies! Related TAKS Objective: 4
Mad Science Machines – Peek into a class to watch elementary-age engineers hard at work with pulleys and levers. They will design, problem-solve and have a whole lot of fun! Students will even take home a cool Mad Science Machine that they built themselves! Related TAKS Objective: 3
In addition to the classes offered in our Five-Week Program, this Program offers more in-depth coverage of the TAKS topics.
Dry Ice – Explore the 3 states of matter. Turn water to ice in 30 seconds, build a giant bubbling potion, carbonate plain drinking water and create the same awesome smoke illusions used in the movies. Related TAKS Objective: 1
Matter of Fact – Investigate the ingredients of the universe! Build your own marshmallow molecules! Play Alchemist by turning a nickel into gold (well, almost…) and use our secret formula to make your own Mad Science Putty! Related TAKS Objective: 3
All About Animals – Feathers, fins, fur and more! Explore the animal kingdom and learn about the habitats, anatomy and life cycles of your favorite creatures. Make your own animal track to take home, experiment with camouflage and explore the amazing — and sometimes strange — sounds that animals make. Related TAKS Objective: 2
Lights, Color, Action – Uncover the hidden components in ordinary light and build your own Newton's Color Wheel to prove it. Attend a spectacular chemical energy display! Related TAKS Objective: 3
Earth Works – Take a voyage to the center of the Earth! We'll investigate the powerful process that shapes our planet and forms remarkable rocks, magnificent minerals, and glittering gems! Children will take home Ultraviolet Detectors which they build themselves! Related TAKS Objective: 4
