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!
North Chevy Chase E.S. parent, Chevy Chase, Md. Class: Mindstorms, October 2012
J. is having a great time, and he particularly likes you as the instructor. He can’t stop talking about everything you did in class and gives me a step-by-step account of everything!
October 14, 2012
Sligo Creek E.S. parent, Silver Spring, Md. Class: Lego Engineers, September 2013
My husband and i appreciated your email … It is always hard to extract from kids what they did that day, so your detailed overview was a treat. Thank you.
October 9, 2013
Bethesda E.S. parent, Bethesda, Md. Class: Robo Challenge, May 2014
Thank you for working with the children at BE. T. absolutely loves his Lego Robotics classes.
June 11, 2014
Ardmore E.S. student, Springdale, Md. Class: Lego Robotics, November 2015
I really had fun building the spinning top. It was so fun. I loved building it , but I loved playing with it too. Can’t wait until next class.😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀
This was my daughter’s first experience with The Great Adventure Lab and she was only willing to attend because of the girls-only session, and really enjoyed being in a group of all girls.
July 9, 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
Bannockburn E.S. class coordinator, Bannockburn, Ill. Class: Lego Robotics, March 2015
What great photos….and how informative are these follow up newsletters from the robotics instructor?…. So happy w/ this after school program 🙂
May 1, 2015
Wood Acres E.S. parent, Bethesda, Md. Class: Let’s Roll Engineers, February 2015
Thanks!” Sounds like the kids had such a fun time.
May 1, 2015
Parent, Concord Hill, Chevy Chase, Md. Class: Storybook Science, March 2016
Thanks for the recap and the great suggestions on where to go. J. continues to love the class, asking me after each one when he gets to go again. Thanks for your great work!
March 19, 2016
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
Thunder Hill E.S. parent, Columbia, Md. Class: Lego Robotics, October 2013
The pictures are great! A. was very exited when he got home and told us all about the hungry alligator. … Thanks for doing such a wonderful job with the children!
November 9, 2013
Thunder Hill E.S. parent, Columbia, Md. Class: Lego Robotics, May 2013
D. has LOVED your class! Thank you for the detailed reports, fun pictures, and for getting the kids so involved!
May 9, 2013
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
Ardmore E.S. parent, Springdale, Md. Class: Lego Robotics, December 2014
[My daughter] loved sitting down with me and discussing what she and her classmates learned after each session. … She is so enthused by the class.
December 17, 2014
Bradley Hills ES, Bethesda, Md. Class: Lego Engineers, February 2014
“[My son] loves your class. Thank you!”
March 2, 2014
Farmland E.S. parent, Rockville, Md. Class: Video Game Programming, March 2014
A. has absolutely loved this class. We spent over an hour this weekend going through his project> he wanted to show me some changes he wanted to make — and did them with no problems at all! He definitely is understanding the logic behind Scratch.
March 11, 2014
Stone Mill E.S. parent, North Potomac, Md. Class: Lego Engineers, March 2014
“Thanks so much for these updates! R. is always so proud to tell his brother and I what he learned and built. This is really putting his “boring” kindergarten lessons into more perspective for him and he’s becoming more excited to learn.”
Thanks so much for such a detailed run through of the class. [My son] had a great first introduction …
November 3, 2015
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
Burning Tree E.S. Parent, Bethesda, Md. Class: Storybook Science, May 2012
[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!
May 9, 2013
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
Wood Acres E.S. parent, Bethesda, Md. Class: Video Game Programming, May 2014
I love your detailed reports! C. is having a great time in the class and looks forward to it every week. Thank you.
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
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! 🙂
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
Bradley Hills parent, Bethesda, Md. Class: Young Engineers, November 2013
P. decided to make another egg drop device this weekend. No restrictions on materials but he did it 100% on his own. Just tested it off a six-foot ladder – first him, then me for more height, onto grass and then concrete – and we could NOT get the egg to break. He finally got Continue Reading
November 9, 2013
Mater Dei parent, Bethesda, Md. Class: Lego Robotics, November 2015
Thank you so much for a great day. B. hasn’t stopped talking about his Robotics class since he got home! Excellent work!
November 3, 2015
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
Stone Mill ES parent, North Potomac, Md. Class: Lego Engineers, February 2014
“Thanks for sending out the notes and thanks for the pictures. My son looks forward to this class every week. He loves it.”
March 2, 2014
St. Patrick’s Catholic School parent, Rockville, Md. Class: Video Game Programming, February 2014
Thank you for your excellent communication. … So nice to be able to talk to my son about specifics, and keep up on what’s being done in each session.
I am really impressed with your work thus far. Keep it up.
May 1, 2015
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
Oakland Terrace E.S. parent, Silver Spring, Md. Class: Video Game Programming, November 2014
Thank you so much for your weekly communications. It was very helpful know that the kids learned and did in specific terms. My [daughter and son] enjoyed the program.
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
Parent, National Presbyterian, Washington, D.C. Class: Lego Robotics, March 2016
Thank you for the pictures of the robotics class just completed at NPS. My son D. absolutely loved it. We hope you will be offering more classes there.
March 19, 2016
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…
October 9, 2013
Murch E.S. parent, Washington, D.C. Class: Electronics, March 2015
O. is really enjoying the class and I appreciate these quick summaries. It gives us a bit more context to chat with him some more.
May 1, 2015
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!
June 11, 2014
College Gardens E.S. parent, Rockville, Md. Class: Video Game Programming, Oct. 2015
Thanks for the emails and great interaction ! It’s nice to hear the updates and correlate with their progress! I can tell you that K. is really enjoying the class!
November 3, 2015
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
Dufief E.S. parent, Gaithersburg, Md. Class: Robo Challenge, November 2013
The instructor was excellent, always prepared … engaging, … has great personality to work with kids and understands kids well.
November 9, 2013
Peabody Primary parent, Washington, D.C. Class: Early Engineers, March 2015
Thank you for sending [notes home after class]! By the way, I. LOVED the class!
May 1, 2015
Forcey Christian School parent, Silver Spring, Md. Class: Lego Robotics, November 2015
Thank you so much for everything! I know T. learned a lot and had a ton of fun!
November 7, 2015
Camp GrAd Lab parent, Silver Spring, Md. 2014
It was a great week, my kid LOVED it. So much so we went back this week. … his counselors have been great…
July 9, 2014
Stone Mill E.S. parent, North Potomac, Md. Class: Lego Robotics, October 2014
Thanks for the updates. My son K. enjoys this class very much!
October 23, 2014
Kensington Parkwood parent, Silver Spring, Md. Class: Electronics, March 2013
Thanks a lot for all your hard work with the kids- A. loved it and is still having fun with the [burglar] alarm!
June 10, 2013
Westbrook E.S. parent, Bethesda, Md. Class: Video Game Programming, October 2014
[My daughter] LOVES the class! She has been really looking forward to it, and I’m happy it went so well.
Wanted to let you know that [my son] really enjoyed Lego Engineers. It’s the only after school activity that he’s consistently looked forward to every week. It’s a great program.
My daughter C. had an absolute blast with this. She cannot wait for the next session. She loved every minute of it. Thanks so much.
December 17, 2014
Parent, National Presbyterian, Washington, D.C. Class: Lego Robotics, February 2016
I really enjoy reading about these sessions and I know T. is enjoying the projects. Thanks for bringing this program to the school!
March 19, 2016
Murch E.S. parent, Washington, D.C. Class: Space Engineers, November 2015
E. has been sick but hopefully will be able to rejoin the class this week because he is enjoying it so much. Thank you.”
November 3, 2015
Forcey Christian School Parent, Silver Spring, Md. Class: Storybook Science, April 2013
A. absolutely loves the class. And the things he brings home –he will go in detail explaining what he did. I can’t even get him to do that for his regular school work –lol.
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
Parent, Concord Hill School, Chevy Chase, Md. Class: Storybook Science
My son, J. had a wonderful time on Monday. He was protesting going before the first class, but I knew he’d love it since he’s constantly doing experiments (much to the detriment of my spice drawer) at home. He did love it and he can’t wait for next time.
March 19, 2016
Stone Mill E.S. parent, North Potomac, Md. Class: Lego Robotics, October 2014
Kindergarten – Grade 1. Scroll down for photos and reviews. Scroll down for photos and reviews.