Mad Scientists Play with Worms

Mad Science of Laguna Hills has extended their interactive learning sessions to include weekend workshops—giving children more chances to explore science.

The program goals have always been the same — “to bring (more) science education to the children…in public school,” said Mad Science Marketing and Education Director Lauren Turner.

On Saturday the first weekend workshop was held. The 13 children who attended the Mad Science class learned about worms and how to make slime. The kids were very attentive when their instructor, Professor Rudy, asked questions.

During the workshops, the 25 to 30 instructors on staff rotate between small groups of about three children.

Before learning about the anatomy of an earthworm, Professor Rudy had the children make a candy snack resembling an earthworm in soil. They each were handed a cup to fill with gummy worms and “pudding dirt”—chocolate pudding.  Each cup was topped off with crumbled cookies.

After clean up came the chemistry lesson—slime creation. Before mixing the ingredients, Rudy stressed the safety precautions that children needed to take when using any type of chemicals. Although their chemicals were harmless, teaching them to always be safe was important. Children were welcome to take home their slimy creation home.

From 9 a.m. to noon the children were involved in a constant flurry of activities. Between snacks, lunch, listening to interactive lectures and doing experiments, there was never a dull moment.

Mad Science workshops are available on weekends, after-school programs, in-class workshops, birthday parties, special events and summer programs.

“The most popular thing we have going is our after-school program that parents pay for,” Turner said.

The Canadian-based company made its way to South Orange County 13 years ago. Most of the science project ideas come from the franchise itself. Both current and former teachers teach the interactive learning programs, which are available to kids from preschool to the fifth grade.

Visit MadScience.org/SoOrangeCounty for more information about Mad Science, including registration details for workshops and programs.