Click on a question below to find out more about our
After-School Science Enrichment Clubs:
GENERAL INFORMATION
OUR STAFF
PROGRAM AGES/GRADES
REGISTRATION
CLASS CONTENT
BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS
GETTING TO/FROM OUR PROGRAM
 GENERAL INFORMATION
What is the Mad Science After-School Science Enrichment Club?
Mad Science Enrichment Clubs are designed to offer exciting fun hands-on science activities within a structured, encouraging environment. Your child will explore a variety of science topics. We use an inquiry-based technique that allows even the youngest participant to enjoy learning. Children will take a project home every week that correlates to the class objectives.
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How long has Mad Science been doing these programs?
Mad Science has been offering programs in McHenry County since August of 2004. Mad Science of McHenry County is a franchise of The Mad Science Group, headquartered in Montreal, Canada. There are over 150 Mad Science franchises all over the world. The Mad Science Group has been providing high-quality Mad Science programs for over 19 years.
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OUR STAFF
Who are the Mad Science instructors?
We have assembled a staff of instructors with the best interests of your child at heart. They come from a variety of backgrounds, but all have several things in common, including:
- a true affinity for working with children!
- thorough training in using the equipment
- knowledge and interest in science
- lots of experience working with groups of children
- safety training for any chemicals used in class
- a recent criminal background check
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PROGRAM AGES/GRADES
What ages are the classes designed for?
Our classes are appropriate for grades 1-6. As a rule, we do not offer our program to kindergarteners: they are still adjusting to being in all-day school, and staying after for an extra hour can be very taxing for the under-six set. Additionally, the ability to read may be necessary for some classes. Back to top
Are different aged children all in the same class?
Yes. We use a buddy system whereby the older children will serve as group leaders and help the younger ones if needed. For many of the activities, the children work in small groups. We believe that working cooperatively and with others of different abilities/strengths is indicative of science as a profession and beneficial for all students.
If your child prefers independent work and does not enjoy being with children of mixed ages, perhaps one of our programs through a park district would be more suitable, as the topics are usually more specific. Back to top
REGISTRATION
How do I register my child for a class?
If you are paying by VISA or MasterCard, we will be happy to take your registration over the phone, or you can register online on our secure website. You are encouraged to call the office or go online to register--mail can be slow and not 100% reliable! If you don't have a credit card, it's fine to still register by phone and send payment afterward. Back to top
Why don’t you put your mailing address on your registration forms?
Because our classes are limited in size, we need to know about every child who wants a spot as soon as possible. If a registration is mailed to us so it arrives the day before class starts, chances are we won’t have a spot for that child. If we know about the mailed registration ahead of time, we can accommodate the child. We’re happy to take payments mailed to us, we just need to know they’re coming. Please call us at (815) 444-1144 to ensure you get a spot in our club. Back to top
Why can’t I find my school location on your website for online registration?
If you don’t see your child’s school listed on our online registration, it could mean that the class is full. You’ll find this especially if it’s nearing the end of the registration period. If you just received a flyer and registration has just begun, it may be a glitch in our website management, and a phone call to our office will usually clear things up! (815) 444-1144. We are always happy to take your information on the phone to speed things up. Back to top
Is payment due in full when I register?
Yes. You are not officially registered until we receive phone or online registration information for your child/children. Please do not assume that if you mailed information, we will receive it in a timely manner. Mad Science is not responsible for lost, stolen or misdirected mail. To ensure your place in our program, it's best to call our office or go online. However, once you have registered with us either on the phone or online, you can send a check in the mail as a follow-up. Back to top
Your flyer says there is a discount for registering two children from the same family, but when I registered online, I didn't get the discount. Why not?
Due to limited technology, our website does not allow for discounts. You can still have it--we will send you a check for the difference between what you paid online and the discounted price. If you register by phone, you will be billed the discounted rate when we process your payment. Back to top
Why can't I just send registration to my child's school?
We ask that you register directly with us for a number of reasons: your schools office staff is very busy, and cannot take on the additional burden of tracking after-school program registrations; we can keep much more accurate counts of program registrations when we receive them; sometimes notes and envelopes get lost once they enter your child's backpack; we can answer any questions you might have about our program if we speak to you directly. PLEASE NOTE: If you send registration to your child's school, we cannot make any guarantees we will even be made aware of it, therefore your child will not be registered for the program. Back to top
I sent in my registration BEFORE the due date, but I was told the class is full. Why can’t I get in?
Our programs are popular. It’s difficult for us to predict what the response might be at a particular school. Due to the hands-on and exploratory nature of our programs, as well as maintaining reasonable child-to-instructor ratios, we do have limited class sizes. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Back to top
Why don't you just add another section for more kids?
After-school room usage is in high demand by a variety of different groups. There is often no option to add another section or instructor to an existing program. Therefore, we will, whenever possible, create a Priority List so your child is sure to be in the next Mad Science program at your school. Back to top
What is your refund policy?
If you need to cancel your registration because of a personal reason, we will refund your payment, less a $5.00 cancellation fee, as long as we are notified within 7 DAYS of class start.
Any registrations cancelled by the customer less than 7 days before class start are not eligible for refund, no matter the reason.
If we do not get sufficient enrollment to hold the club, we will return your check or refund your online payment back to the credit card you used to register. Please note that personal absences are forfeited.
In the rare circumstance that your child has been dismissed from a Mad Science program due to negative behavioral issues or consistent late pickup, you will not be eligible for a refund.
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Do you confirm that we are registered for a program?
Due to the volume of registrations we handle, we do not contact you to verify your program signup. If you would like registration confirmation, please feel free to email us at madscience101@sbcglobal.net or call our office at (815) 444-1144.
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CLASS CONTENT
My child has taken a Mad Science club before. Will it be the same classes?
Not always. We strive to keep our programs current and exiting. Each registration form contains class descriptions, and often new topics are added. We have had a lot of children take a particular club twice and still enjoy it the second time. Remember that a different instructor and group of children will be a new dynamic that may change the focus of what is covered. Back to top
My child went to a Mad Science birthday party AND/OR camp. Will it be the same content they've already seen?
No, we keep each area of Mad Science programming separate. Birthday parties and camps are completely different from our After-School Clubs. In fact, lots of children take the club, and then decide to have a Mad Science birthday party because they've had so much fun. This, of course, is highly encouraged!
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BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS
Does Mad Science have a specific discipline policy?
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. We stress at the beginning of each class that 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. Only children with a sincere interest in our programs and the necessary maturity to handle a one-hour after-school experience are encouraged to enroll. For specific questions about our behavior policy, please call our office.
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GETTING TO/FROM OUR PROGRAM
How will my child find the club after school?
Our Instructors have a complete class roster, including children's names and their classroom teacher names. The school is also provided with this information. In most cases, an announcement is made at the end of the day, directing children to the proper room. If your child does not come to class, we will try and notify the school office if time and circumstances permit. We encourage you to send a note to your child's teacher letting them know that your child will be in our club. Back to top
What if my child forgets to come to class?
Please be aware that is it ultimately the responsibility of the child and his/her family to ensure attendance at Mad Science class. After-school dismissal time is often hectic and very busy, and it is not always possible for the Mad Scientist to ask school personnel to aid in tracking down children. It is important to note that the Instructor must attend to the other children in class, and cannot spend class time tracking down children who are absent for reasons we may not have been made aware of (illness, other obligations, etc.)
If your child will be absent from school, we ask that you call the Mad Science office ahead of time so that the Instructor can be notified not to expect your child on that day. Back to top
Why do I have to sign my child out from your program?
We require the responsible party listed on your child's registration form to sign them out of our program for each and every class. Please be patient at pick up time, the sign out is for your child's safety. If your child is to be picked up by a neighbor, grandparent or friend, please be sure to send a note to the Mad Science instructor on that day. Back to top
What if I’m late picking my child up from Mad Science?
The clubs are for 60 minutes each week. Your child needs to be picked up promptly after each class. While we do realize circumstances can arise that may cause a delay, children become upset when their rides home are late. At no time will your child be left alone if pickup is delayed. But be aware that the school office personnel are often gone from the building when our programs end, so it is our Instructor who is with your child until you arrive. Please be considerate of the fact that many of our Instructors are parents, too, and need to get to their own children at a specific time.
It is unfortunate that due to our experiences with late pickups, we've had to instill the following policy:
• A one-time late pick-up (less than 10 minutes after class dismissal):
A verbal reminder to be on time!
• More than 10 minutes but fewer than 30 minutes late, first occurrence:
Phone call from Mad Science Instructor and the Mad Science office. There is a $10.00 charge for this delay...You will sign a Late Pick Up slip which is forwarded to our Accounting department. A bill will be sent.
• More than 10 minutes but fewer than 30 minutes late, second occurrence:
Your child will not be permitted to attend another Mad Science program. No refund will be given.
More than 30 minutes late:
The local police will be called if we cannot reach you on the phone numbers you've provided. It could be considered child abandonment and serious consequences could arise. Back to top
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