Kindergarten – Grade 1.Scroll down for photos and reviews. Scroll down for photos and reviews.
Mythbusters isn’t just for big kids. In this after school science program for students in kindergarten and grade 1, we’ll read a different story each week to our kindergarten and first grade scientists and then conduct hands-on science experiments to test the scientific accuracy, or explore the scientific elements of each story!
When we read Jon Scieszka’s The True Story of The 3 Little Pigs, for instance, we’ll test the power of wind – can it really blow down a house? How does air pressure work? Let’s build our own houses and see if they stand up to our air pump! For Doreen Cronin’s Diary of a Worm, we’ll each build an earthworm habitat to take home!
And guess what we’ll do when we read Bartholomew and the Ooblek?. Yup, it’ll have something to do with SLIME. (Non-toxic and mess-free, of course. Don’t worry – many of us are moms and dads, too).
and …. by popular demand, we now have FOUR different versions of this class (We call them Storybook Science A,B,C and D. Classes are completely independent with all different projects. Students may take any or all, in any order.
Each Storybook Science class follows the same format, but with whole new sets of stories and experiments Ever wonder how a bee hums? In Storybook Science B, we will read the Patricia Polacco’s Bee Tree and then children will build their own bee hummer. We’ll also read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and build periscopes!
In Storybook Science C , we’ll read read about and play with popcorn (and other mini explosions), shadows, density, cars and much more. Stories include LaPetite Rouge by Mike Artell and The Popcorn Book by Tomie de Paola.
In Storybook Science D, we’ll read about polar explorer Matthew Henson and play with magnets … and more!
For those with religious concerns about this class, see this note.
Stories and lessons will vary depending on the interests of our first grade and kindergarten scientists. And yes, we know it’s hard getting kids to talk about what they did that day. That’s why we send a note home a day or two after every class, explaining what we did, what we learned, and what’s next. Sometimes we also include photos or videos! Parents love our notes!
All I know is that each and every time I picked up my son from class the room was a hive of activity full of the excitement that only comes with implementing newfound knowledge. He was thrilled with every project they made. The instructors were so patient as the children never wanted to quit what they were working on and leave. I also really appreciated the detailed feedback that I received each week via email. Thank you for inspiring my son!
-Carderock E.S. Parent, Bethesda, Md.
[My daughter] LOVES your class and is so excited to share with me her experiments and discoveries from class. Thanks for making class so fun & interesting. I love seeing her enthusiastic face & she has no idea right now that she is learning about science!
Seven meetings, once a week, 60 minutes per meeting. (or 14-21 meetings if you combine classes).
After school sessions only; no evenings.
Minimum: 11 students. Maximum: 14 students. Take-home projects after every class.
Tuition is $125 per student. Parent aide receives free tuition.
Get together a group of at five students, and we can send an instructor to teach this class in your home during school hours, in the evening, or on the weekend! Seven 60-min classes, min 5/max 8 students, $150 per student plus $30 materials fee.
Take-home projects after every class.
We handle registration and payment, all you have to do is enjoy the class! Contact us for more info!
After school classes are only open to students who attend the hosting school. Register through your school /PTA.
If your school/ PTA does not offer our classes, invite us!
Evening classes are open to students from any school. Register here.
Form a private class in your home with as few as five students! Seven 60-min classes, min 5/max 8 students, $150 per student, plus $30 materials fee per student. Contact us for more info!
Photos from The Great Adventure Lab’s Storybook Science classes!
Parent, Rock View E.S., Kensington, Md. Class: Intro to Video Game Programming, February 2016
My son J. loves the class. What an exciting way to learn! In J.’s spare time, he has gone on his iPad and created some projects on his own.
March 19, 2016
Barnsley E.S. parent, Rockville, Md. Class: Robo Challenge, October 2012
Thank you for the detailed email you sent about the first class. It’s so nice to know exactly what goes on. I also wanted to tell you how much my son enjoyed the class. I even heard from a friend of mine that her son loved it so much, he couldn’t stop talking about it.
October 9, 2012
Murch E.S. parent, Washington, D.C. Class: Lego Robotics, November 2015
My son, A., absolutely loves this class and has asked to continue it. What are the options for after school or weekend classes going forward?
November 7, 2015
Spring Hill E.S. parent, McLean, Va. Class: Storybook Science, October 2012
Thank you very much for providing such a great learning opportunity for Y. and other kids at Spring Hill. Y. really loves your class and had a lot of fun.
October 9, 2012
Bradley Hills E.S. parent, Bethesda, Md. Class: Mindstorms, May 2014
I think this class was great! THANK YOU for doing such an excellent job.
June 11, 2014
Camp GrAd Lab parent, Silver Spring, Md. 2014
Communication was great, thanks. L. LOVED the camp. She couldn’t stop talking about it in the evenings. She had a great time and I expect her to be back next year for more.
July 9, 2014
Bond Mill E.S. parent, Laurel, Md. Class: Robo Challenge, April 2014
Thank you, My son was very excited about what he learned. Keep up the good work.
These emails are great! I really appreciate your taking the time to inform us of the class activities. My son really enjoys this class and your professional management and execution has really impressed me too. Thanks for setting a high bar for how after school activities should be run.
October 9, 2012
Bannockburn E.S. School Coordinator, Bannockburn, Ill. Class: Lego Robotics, March 2015
We appreciate your fabulous instruction! Your class is terrific, and the kids are enjoying it immensely.
May 1, 2015
Sligo Creek E.S. parent, Silver Spring, Md. Class: Crime Science, Spring 2011
I really, really hope your program returns next school year. M. LOVED it. I also enjoyed reading about the adventures.
May 9, 2011
Murch E.S. parent, Washington, D.C. Class: Young Engineers, June 2014
[My son] really enjoyed it — he was frustrated when his designs didn’t work but excited to be learning so much about how to make them better!
June 11, 2014
Peabody E.S. parent, Washington, D.C. Class: Early Engineers, October 2014
Both my daughters did the class and they loved goingeach week! I feel it opens them up to different paths for girls then what are normally offered to them!
“My son is J. … is having a blast!!! Thanks for the pictures and updates!! I greatly appreciate it since I work full time and never get to participate to often with the kids’ school activities.”
March 17, 2014
Murch E.S. parent, Washington, D.C. Class: Space Engineers, November 2015
Well done! I really appreciate what you are doing. V. is very enthusiastic about this class. He tells me about it every time.
Thank YOU for such a positive experience for my son, S. I appreciate the emails. Much appreciated!
December 17, 2014
Concord Hill E.S., Chevy Chase, Md. Class: Lego Robotics, November 2014
Thank you so much! [My daughter] S. LOVED the class and I asked CHS to continue it in the Spring because it’s her favorite after school activity.
December 17, 2014
Bannockburn E.S. after school activity coordinator, Bannockburn, Ill. Class: Lego Robotics, June 2014
Thank you so much for all your hard work at Bannockburn! Your class got rave reviews and we are excited to offer more classes in the fall.You were terrific!
Wow, those [photos] look great! … Thank you so much for teaching B. He really enjoyed this class!
June 11, 2014
East Silver Spring ES parent, Silver Spring, Md. Class: Lego Engineers, February 2014
“I just wanted to say that I loved your note. E. was very excited about the launching of the Lego pieces and we now have a couple test catapults at home.”
March 2, 2014
Wood Acres ES parent, Bethesda, Md. Lego Robotics, January 2014
“Thank you for the feedback , great to hear you have had a successful first session! My boys were thrilled and are looking forward to the alligator session next week! Thank you!”
March 2, 2014
Wyngate E.S. parent, Bethesda, Md. Class: Video Game Programming, March 2012
It was the absolute best after school program we’ve ever participated in. …Thank you sooooo much for bringing that program to Wyngate. It taught my son that he absolutely loves computer programming…which is a big deal for me, since he doesn’t seem to like anything but watching tv! 🙂
March 9, 2012
Westbrook E.S. parent, Class: Storybook Science, January 2015
[My son] takes Storybook Science at the after-school program at Westbrook and absolutely loves it.
[My son] said he loved it! … He said the class was awesome (his words!) and that the instructor was very nice and he had a lot of fun. He can’t wait to go back next Tuesday. 🙂
November 3, 2015
Oakland Terrace E.S. parent Class: Mindstorms, February 2012
You are doing a marvelous job and we think that this is the start of something really great for J. … Engineering and Robotics are our future and these kids you are working with will be our stars. Thank you.
Class went great. I got to stop in a few times to see the Lego Robotics class myself and the kids were so happy and engaged. I loved it.”
June 11, 2014
Camp GrAd Lab parent, Silver Spring, Md. 2014
My child doesn’t rave about anyone — so he didn’t mention the counselors, but I watched them each time I picked up etc and thought they were wonderful. Very encouraging and gentle. Good team!
July 9, 2014
Robert Frost M.S. parent, Rockville, Md. Class: Mindstorms, April 2015
I was very impressed with the first class. Your instructors were very professional and did a fantastic job with the kids.
Thank you for a great program and for taking time to update the parents. I appreciated!
June 11, 2014
E.L. Haynes Charter School parent, Washington, D.C. Class: Lego Robotics, March 2015
Thanks so much for this update – really appreciate it. We got a very enthusiastic report from our son.
May 1, 2015
Wood Acres E.S. parent, Class: 3-D design, November 2014
[My son] G. is really excited with all the possibilities with the 3d design! … Thanks for all the updates!
December 17, 2014
Garrett Park E.S. parent, Kensington, Md. Class: Robo Challenge, April 2014
Thanks for doing such a wonderful job, D. really loved Robo Challenge!! He will definitely be taking it again next time it’s offered!
June 11, 2014
Maryville E.S. parent, Rockville, Md. Class: Lego Robotics, March 2015
This [update] is extremely helpful, and very much appreciated in our house. My son, J, was very excited to tell me about what he learned in class, so clearly you are doing a great job keeping his interest.
May 1, 2015
Murch E.S. parent, Washington, D.C. Class: Lego Engineers, June 2014
Thank you. [My son] had a blast! Hope to see you next Fall!
June 11, 2014
Girls Get Science summer camp parent, Silver Spring, Md. 2014
The hovercraft ride was such a hit that if I ever book a birthday party with you, we must have that for the attendees. The invention lab was fantastic and I loved what my girl made each day. Even I learnt so much – there is actually such a thing as conductive thread. How cool Continue Reading
July 9, 2014
Dufief E.S. parent, Gaithersburg, Md. Class: Robo Challenge, November 2013
This class was fantastic for my 3rd grade son. He enjoyed the simple introduction to programming and building.
November 9, 2013
Mattaponi E.S., Upper Marlboro, Md., Class: Lego Robotics, October 2014
Thank you for the updates … They are very informative and helpful. J. [My child] is having a wonderful time!
Thanks for sending the update, photos and video. My son … loved the class and with the photos and video it’s great to see what he was talking about when he said that they made birds.
Thanks so much! My daughter R. really enjoyed the class!
November 3, 2015
Forcey Christian parent, Silver Spring, Md. Class: Mindstorms, March 2012
My son R. came home incredibly excited about his first meeting. He’s always loved Legos and has an affinity for science, math and engineering. He said this is the best activity he’s ever done.
March 9, 2012
Garrett Park E.S. parent, Silver Spring, Md. Class: Storybook Science, November 2011
Thank you so much for making Friday after school so much fun for S.! She loves the class and told me you are her favorite teacher! Thanks also for the weekly updates!
November 9, 2011
Wood Acres parent, Bethesda, Md. Class: Lego Robotics, October 2013
My son B. loves the class. It’s his favorite part of the week… Thanks very much.
November 9, 2013
Thunder Hill E.S. parent, Columbia, Md. Class: Storybook Science, October 2013
This was awesome. J. had such a good time and couldn’t stop telling us about his volcano! Thanks for the work you do!!!
October 9, 2013
Ardmore E.S., Springdale, Md. Class: Lego Robotics, October 2014
Your class looks intriguing and as a result you’re doing a fine job teaching young minds. Thank you for all you do and especially with my daughter.
October 23, 2014
Garrett Park E.S. parent, Kensington, Md. Class: Video Game Programming, January 2015
C. is so excited about the class. He had used Scratch at home with us a bit in the past and now he’s been asking to use [Scratch] every day.
January 20, 2015
Parent of Camp GrAd Lab camper, Silver Spring, Md. 2014
My child came home excited every day about the inventions, the video game creation, etc. etc. Always ready to go back for more!
July 9, 2014
Garrett Park E.S. parent, Kensington, Md. Class: Robo Challenge, October 2013
D. LOVES your class!! He spoke about it all night, so thanks so much for making it so fun and interesting!
October 9, 2013
Gorman Crossing E.S. parent, North Laurel, Md. Class: Lego Robotics, May 2014
My daughter R. loves this class. Thanks for the updates!
June 11, 2014
Oak View E.S. parent, Silver Spring, Md. Class: Lego Robotics, April 2015
Thanks for sharing the picture of E.! She really loves Lego robotics.
May 1, 2015
Maryvale E.S. parent, Rockville, Md. Class: Lego Robotics, October 2015
Very happy to have passionate people about science and engineering like you teaching our son K. about robotics – he’s a budding engineer and I am sure he will learn a great deal.
November 3, 2015
Pine Crest E.S. parent, Silver Spring, Md. Class: Robo Challenge Machines, December 2014
[My son] O. has been loving the class. He had a great time with catapults yesterday. We hope to enroll him in future programs. Thanks for sharing the pics and details …
December 17, 2014
Parent, Rock View E.S. Class: Space Engineers, March 2016
Thank you for sending the wonderful updates-H. absolutely loves the class. I am sorry it will be over so soon!
March 19, 2016
Garrett Park E.S. parent, Kensington, Md. Class: Lego Robotics, October 2014
Thank you for teaching kids the basics of programming and electronics in such a fun way.
Thanks for such a detailed review of the first [class]. My son is very much into robotics and enjoyed the first day of Robo Challenge!
June 9, 2013
Murch E.S. parent, Washington D.C., Lego Robotics, October 2015
My son, a second-grader at Murch in DC, is loving his Lego Robotics class … He had been reluctant at first to try the class, but now he talks about it all week long and looks forward to every Tuesday. Well done!
November 3, 2015
Wood Acres E.S. parent, Bethesda, Md. Class: Let’s Roll Engineers, November 2013
She loved it. There were a lot of other girls in her class, which was great. I don’t think she knows engineering is more popular for boys. 🙂
November 9, 2013
Murch E.S. parent, Washington D.C. Class: Space Engineers, October 2015
It was a great pleasure watching you and the kids launch all of the rockets. I loved that squeal of excitement after every launch, which never got old for anyone there, including the parents. Thank you for making science so much fun!
My son G. adored this after school program. I have never seen him more excited about anything before. He loves Legos and now, loves programming robots. This is a brilliant program and we will definitely be interested in anything else you have to offer.
Kindergarten – Grade 1. Scroll down for photos and reviews. Scroll down for photos and reviews.