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 $115 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!
Kipling E.S. parent, Deerfield, Ill. Class: Robo Challenge Machines, April 2015
J. is so excited about this class! Thank you for the updates. He now has decided he wants to be a robotics engineer 🙂
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, October 2014
B. was so excited about this first class. When he got into the car to go home I asked him, “How was the class?” He looked at me and said “BCE.” “Huh?” I responded. “Best Class Ever!”
October 23, 2014
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
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
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.
My [kindergarten] daughter [is] always excited to bring home her experiments and her interest in science grows more and more each day… Thanks for all you do!
December 17, 2014
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
Stone Mill E.S. parent, North Potomac, Md. Class: Robo Challenge 1, Oct. 2013
You are doing a great job, and A. can’t wait for weekly meetings! We only wish this class lasted much longer…
[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
Our Lady of Mercy parent, Potomac, Md. Class: Lego Robotics
Thank you so much for teaching this class to our kids this year. [My daughter] loved it!!
May 1, 2015
Kensington Parkwood parent, Silver Spring, Md. Class: Electronics, February 2012
This morning [my son] constructed his radio out of his snap circuits. He especially loved receiving stations with different languages. Obviously, your class left a lasting impression!
June 10, 2013
Oyster Bilingual School, Washington DC. Class: Electronics, October 2015
Thanks for this update. When I got home from a business trip, L. could not wait to tell me that he ‘lit a light bulb with batteries and play dough’… he liked it. Great work.
November 3, 2015
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 daughter loved the class….gender did not make a difference. Both my husband and I are science people so we expect our girl to also be a science person–and she is.It was exciting to solve the crime. She loved the class, and we were thrilled that she wasn’t the only girl.
March 9, 2011
Westbrook E.S. club coordinator, Bethesda, Md. Class: Mindstorms
Thank you for these awesome updates and pictures. … I am a big believer in this type of STEM programming and so pleased to be part of bringing it to Westbrook through the PTA. The kids are learning a lot from you!
May 9, 2013
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.
February 9, 2012
Farmland E.S. parent, Rockville, Md. Class: Lego Robotics, March 2014
“I appreciate your messages about the classes. G. loved the [Lego Robotics] class with you. Thanks so much for being his teacher for the class and giving him this opportunity.”
March 17, 2014
Cashell E.S. parent, Olney, Md. Class: Lego Robotics, May 2013
Thanks ever so much for the weekly updates of what happens in the classroom! My kids are having a great time, and learning a lot!
June 9, 2013
Bannockburn E.S. parent, Bannockburn, Ill. Class: Lego Robotics, April 2014
J. loved it so much! He couldn’t stop talking about it! Thank you.
According to my child, best after school class he’s taken. E. thought his teacher was very nice and smart. Loved the detailed email synopses …
December 17, 2014
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
Murch E.S. parent, Washington, D.C. Class: Lego Robotics, September 2014
D. has not stopped talking about the wonderful time he had. … I know he’s looking forward to every Wednesday with The Great Adventure Lab. Thank you again, and we’ll see you soon.
October 23, 2014
Woodlin E.S. parent, Silver Spring, Md. Class: Young Engineers
This was an outstanding experience for [my daughter]. She was extremely enthusiastic about it, enjoyed it tremendously, loved her instructors, and learned a great deal. It has helped reinforce her ambitions to pursue STEM activities. After seeing how excited she was about this club, and after she asked me to come and see it in action, Continue Reading
June 9, 2012
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
Chevy Chase E.S., Chevy Chase, Md. Class: Video Game Programming, June 2014
Thanks so much for your class. My son, G., loved it.
Thanks for the detailed description of the class and the fun pictures. I really appreciate the time you took to write. It will be fun to talk to our son about the different types of gears. At the same time, we (the parents) learn, too. He had a great time and is looking forward to Continue Reading
November 3, 2015
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
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
Bannockburn E.S. parent, Bethesda, Md. Class: Video Game Programming
Thanks for making SCRATCH fun.
June 9, 2013
Chabad of Silver Spring activities coordinator, Silver Spring, Md. Class: Lego Engineers, November 2013
The kids had a blast and so did I. Many children continued to ask after you had left when you were coming back!
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.
October 9, 2011
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.
This camp … was very good. I was very impressed. [My son] went to Camp Invention the next week and it did not compare – The Great Adventure Lab was better. Thank you!
Thanks so much for doing such a great job teaching the class. C. really enjoyed it, learned, and is already looking forward to the next one. We appreciate your patience and skill.
October 9, 2011
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.
June 11, 2014
Wood Acres E.S. parent, Bethesda, Md. Class: Let’s Roll Engineers, September 2013
Sounds like a fun and challenging time! [My daughter] K. is really enjoying the class. Thanks for keeping us updated!
October 9, 2013
Oyster Adams Bilingual School parent, Washington D.C. Class: Lego Robotics, taught in Spanish & English, February 2014
“Our son LOVES this class! We’ve never seen him so enthusiastic for any class like he is for yours. Cheers to a great beginning.”
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
Parkland Middle School Principal Rockville, Md. Classes: Mindstorms, Video Game Programming, 3-D Design, Oct. 2015
Thank you! You are doing great work with our students! -Khanny Yang, Principal, Parkland Middle School Editor’s note: The Great Adventure Lab offers afterschool programming at Parkland Middle School five days a week. We provide Engineering on Mondays, Robotics on Tuesday, Video Game Programming on Wednesdays, 3-D Design on Thursdays and Hands-on Science projects on Fridays.
November 3, 2015
Stone Mill E.S. parent, North Potomac, Md. Class: Lego Robotics, October 2014
Thank you. The boys had so much fun it was a pleasure to watch! Thank you so much!”
October 23, 2014
Parent, Rock View E.S., Kensington, Md. Class: Intro to Video Game Programming, March 2016
Thank you so much for a great class. My son J. loved it!
March 19, 2016
Forest Knolls E.S. parent, Silver Spring, Md. Class: Video Game Programming, October 2011
Thank you for the email. J. is so excited about the course. He came home raving about moving sprites.
October 9, 2011
Oakland Terrace E.S. parent, Silver Spring, Md. Class: Video Game Programming, October 2014
Thank you for the update each week. It is very informative to know what the kids are learning. My kids enjoyed the classes.
October 23, 2014
Forcey Christian School Parent, Silver Spring, Md. Class: Young Engineers, November 2013
Teachers were enthusiastic, caring and attentive to the needs of each child.
November 9, 2013
Bethesda ES parent, Bethesda, Md. Class: Lego Robotics, February 2014
“Thank you for the notes! [My son] is really enjoying Lego robotics.”
March 2, 2014
Parent, Murch E.S., Washington, D.C. Class: Young Engineers, February 2016
I just want to thank you for doing such a great job with the young engineers class. C. has come home VERY excited about her activities at young engineers. She says you are a really great teacher, and from her project descriptions, I can tell this is true. She is learning and understanding a great deal Continue Reading
March 19, 2016
Ardmore E.S. parent, Silverdale, Md. Class: Lego Robotics, November 2014
My daughter was so impressed that she made me want to sign up my students, at my center, for Lego Robotics program.
December 17, 2014
Fulton E.S. parent, Fulton, Md. Class: Storybook Science, September 2014
Thank you! Both J. and L. enjoyed it, and L. even brought his unfinished [project] to before-care today to keep working on it 🙂
Kindergarten – Grade 1. Scroll down for photos and reviews. Scroll down for photos and reviews.