Workshop Topics

Uncover the secrets of chemistry and the effects that acids and bases have on our daily lives!  Children will get to test common household items with litmus paper to determine acidity & alkalinity levels.  They will also learn how to make a CO₂ fire extinguisher, and discover the power of vinegar & baking soda!

This class will introduce students to the realm of insects when they learn about their fabulous flying abilities, their unique eyesight, and the way they defend themselves against predators.  Students will get an opportunity to see how camouflage works and see the world from a bug’s point of view!

 Requires Electricity

Children will explore one of the most exciting and fundamental sciences as they learn about physical and chemical reactions and grow their own crystal gardens.  They will develop a fascination with chemistry and learn how to break polymer bonds and create delicious soda pop!    

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!

 Requires Electricity or Hot Water

Children will be introduced to the scientific concepts of phase changes and states of matter.  They will witness the phenomenon of sublimation as we demonstrate the unique properties of dry ice and the spectacular “smoke” it creates.  The children will learn that dry ice is really frozen carbon dioxide and will experience the Mad Science burp, a display of bubbling potions and, finally, a thrilling grand finale!

Students will discover what the Earth is composed of and how various forces combine to create rocks and minerals.  They will get to explore what lies inside an ordinary-looking piece of rock to discover the beauty that lies beneath its surface.  They will learn about the forces that create earthquakes, the natural faults in the Earth’s crust and what makes volcanoes explode!

Gravity... Inertia... Centripetal force... who could ever imagine that an introduction to physics could be so much fun? We’ll experience these awesome forces for ourselves and build cool devices and watch them at work!

Discover amazing things that glow bright in the dark and come to light! Probe the properties of light and explore some unusual applications of glow-in-the-dark technology! Use your Blacklight Writer to make secret messages that only you can see!

 Requires Electricity

Fast moving molecules are the main attraction in this exploration of energy and heat. Children will see Boyle’s law in action, as we show how air behaves when heated or cooled, and will also learn the role heat plays in phase changes. To wrap it all up, the children will build their own working thermometer and practice testing relative temperature.

Create a tiny world of atoms with your very own set of Atomic Coins! Children will learn the difference between physical and chemical reactions as they perform and observe engaging experiments.  Junior scientists will discover how small atoms are and mix up reactive ingredients for some sensational results!

Cooking is all about chemistry!  Students will be introduced to our laboratory kitchen in a novel and practical application of science!  They will learn the different between physical and chemical changes and how they apply to what goes on in the kitchen.  Dinnertime will never be the same….

Use your hands as a real Mad Scientist in this whirlwind class on how a lab works! Learn to manipulate laboratory equipment at your personal lab bench, and take home your very own Graduated Gear to continue your research!

 Requires Electricity & Darkened Room

Using a Newton’s color wheel that they have built themselves, students in this class will prove that white light really is made up of all the colors of the rainbow!  They will witness the wonders of chromatography in an exciting demonstration and will then be introduced to the concept of diffraction.  Then children will experience this first hand while wearing “rainbow” glasses during a spectacular indoor fireworks display!

Elementary-age engineers will be 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 have built themselves!

Students will investigate the powers and daily uses of magnets!  In this class, the children will learn about polarity, will visualize magnetic fields, and see how a compass is made.  They will even use invisible magnetic fields to levitate magnets! 

Grab your popcorn but don't sit back…we're going to learn first-hand how advances in science and technology make our favorite special effects possible! Children will take home a Cartoon Creator that they've made themselves! It's Einstein meets Spielberg in a class of 3..2..1…action!

Children will build their own periscope while learning about optics, reflection and sight. They will watch celebrity images change before their eyes, study optical illusions, and observe that the brain is easily fooled.  Seeing is not always believing...

Slide down the colorful pH scale and dip into the world of acids and bases! Explore the pH extremes with your Reaction Tube in what is sure-to-be a popping experience! Discover whether liquids found in your home are acids or bases using your personal pH Paper!

Children will build their very own model rocket to take home... This program is a great way to investigate space flight and aerodynamics!

 Workshop partially performed outside

In this class, students will learn the basic principles of rocket flight.  They will learn about forces and propulsion through fun, hands-on activities and demonstrations.  The Mad Scientist will then prepare a rocket for flight, explain pre-launch safety procedures, and then everyone will head outside for the grand finale… the rocket launch! 

Magic?  No, it's science!  Mini magicians will learn the science behind famous magic tricks as they pull a handkerchief out from their thumbs and make a pretend rabbit disappear with the wave of a wand.  Children will also learn how water can vanish right before their eyes; even Harry Houdini would be amazed! 

Did you know that some toys work because of basic science principles? Children will bounce balls and experiment with a magnetic spin wheel among other classic toys to discover the science of motion through fun hands-on activities.  Find out how our woodpecker toy works due to potential and kinetic energy and take home a bouncy ball that the students created themselves!

Ooze into a gooey hour of sliming around!  In this program, we will explore, create and play with the most entertaining and useful molecule known to science, and discover its many shapes and forms.  Child will create slime using the Mad Science recipe, and then enter the Slime Olympics!  Children even make their own slime that they get to take home and keep!

Discover the exciting properties of sound in these sonic sixty minutes.  Children will learn how sound travels and how household items can be used to create amazing movie effects.  Junior scientists will end their auditory adventure by making a kazoo to take home! 

Wright Brothers would be proud as we follow in their footsteps and learn the fundamental principles of flight.  Build a “football” glider, a Delta Dart and your very own loop-flying stunt plane.  You’ll be a Top Gun after this class!

Stick experiments to the walls and push the power of tape to the limits in this adhesive hour with things that cling!  Children will experiment with different sticky materials and learn about the origins of Velcro.  Build a bond with glue and get attached to Professor Beakerdude!

Discover the strengths of triangles, cylinders and arches.  Learn how combinations of these shapes are used to build sturdy homes and skyscrapers!  Children will build their own bridge and discuss the fundamentals of secure architecture. 

Experiment with taste sensations while "mapping" out your tongue. Use Life Saver® testing to compare your sense of smell and taste. Carbonate and taste your very own soda pop and take the "Mad Science" taste challenge...

Join Bernoulli and Newton as we take this exciting look at the science behind the properties of air... under pressure. Use a vortex generator to create air pockets with a punch, and levitate ping-pong balls in a defiance of gravity!

Create your own multi-density wave bottles while learning about water, waves and the environment.  Simulate the effects of an ocean oil spill and develop and test creative techniques to clean it up.

Welcome to the wild world of weather! Investigate why it rains, what causes lightning and even how weather is predicted. Children learn about the effects of the sun and how it plays a role in evaporation. Create your own tornado tube and watch weather whirl!

Requires Electricity & Darkened Room

Children will learn about the phenomenon of lightning and how to avoid meeting with it up close!  They will experiment with static electric charges they have created and will then learn & observe how the Van de Graaff generator does it so well. Children will have the opportunity to collect static charges & watch this hair-raising experience with delight!