Mad Science Workshop

MAD SCIENCE WORKSHOP

Our program serves preschoolers ages 3-5 years old. We have a diverse group of students from a variety of backgrounds. The predominant language spoken is Arabic. The programs that we provide include Great Start Readiness (GSRP) and Tuition based preschool for three and four year old. The Great Start Readiness Program provides programming for children who have factors that put them at risk for failure. These include low income, speaking multiple languages, domestic abuse, loss of a parent, low education level of parent, having a disability with a documented Individualized Education Program (IEP), exposure to environmental toxins, having a sibling with a disability or behavior challenge and domestic abuse.

All four of our preschool classrooms were able to participate in this workshop. The four year old students in the Great Start Readiness Program had the pleasure of attending the "Mad Mixtures" workshop and the Tuition classroom enjoyed the workshop called "Digging for Dinosaurs."

Progress to Goals

We have selected the topic "Mad Mixtures" for the 4 year old classrooms. This includes demonstrations about volcanoes & chemistry and children each get to make their own putty to take home. For the 3 year old classroom we have selected Digging for Dinosaurs. Students will be introduced to the difference between meat eating and plant eating animals and will have the opportunity to look at dinosaur teeth up close. They will also participate in a mini dinosaur dig.

All children were successful in meeting our goals for this project. Our goal was to give children the opportunity to explore science concepts and build on our Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) knowledge.

Students Served

Progress to Goals

For the Great Start Readiness Program, students were introduced to science vocabulary and had the opportunity to explore hands on experiments. They watched/assisted as the "scientist" mixed baking soda and vinegar to create a chemical reaction like a volcano. They also mixed ingredients to make their own slime.

In the Tuition classroom, children eagerly help sort dinosaurs into groups of "herbivores" and "carnivores" with help from the "scientist." They used tools to dig for mini dinosaur bones and create a fossil using a dinosaur tooth as the imprint.

Challenges - Lessons Learned - Changes

Overall the workshops were successful. Having the supervisor take accountability when her staff member was unprofessional and offer us an additional workshop for free speaks to the quality of their company.

I would not make any changes to the budget. The cost of the workshops were reasonable and the children really enjoyed them. I believe it's important to offer more Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) opportunities for preschoolers. These skills will prepare them for future jobs.

We structured the workshops so that two Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) classrooms were together in each workshop. The total number allowed was 30 and we were able to make this work. The Tuition classroom had their own workshop. This worked well for the small classroom and the younger age of the children. They had 19 students in attendance. We were able to invite some of their families and they really seemed to enjoy helping.

Stories

Challenges - Lessons Learned - Changes

Teachers were able to introduce these ideas prior to the workshops. They discussed color mixing, made predictions and asked children what they thought they would learn.

After the workshops, teachers had follow up activities and conversations. Mad Science gave each teacher a packet with ideas for expanding their knowledge in each area.

We shared that Mad Science will be returning in May and the students are very excited. This time the workshop is called "Icky, Gooey, Bubble Science Show." In this session children will have hands-on opportunities to explore chemistry and chemical changes.

Crestwood Community Education Foundation

kids testimonials