Mad Science, Young Rembrandts-good programs?

[Anonymous]

Ds's school is offering Mad Science and Young Rembrandt's as optional afterschool classes. We are new to FCPS and are not familiar with these programs. I've looked at their websites and they seem like nice add-on classes, but I'd like to know if anyone here has tried them out with your kids?

Are they "worth it", as in do the kids really learn much from them?

My son tried an art class over the summer with Parktakes and was really disappointed in the quality of instruction. Although he loves art and thrived at his art classes where we used to live, he couldn't stand attending the Parktakes class.

Any feedback? Thanks!!

[Anonymous]

My DD tried the Mad Science Program for 2 sessions. She loves it. But whenever I asked her what she learned from the class (right after each lesson), she couldn't tell me much. She could tell me what they did in the class but not the theory behind. I wonder if it's too difficult to explain since they are just kids! I think if parents can sit in and observe, it will be better so that we can explain more to the kids!

[Anonymous]

For Mad Science, I think it depends on your child's age and what he wants out of it. My daughter did it in 2nd grade and loved it. They are very organized and have pre-set experiments or projects that they do. The projects are usually fun or cool such as making a parachute. Will they learn and understand the theory of relativity from this class? No. But it might make your child become more interested in science or not. He may just enjoy it and not "learn" much. The price is pretty reasonable, and most children who took it seemed to like it. I don't know about Young Rembrandts.

[Anonymous]

My son did K - 2 and loved it. BUT, then i became the parent coordinator, was there for every class, and felt the class instruction was very poor and the kids were mostly not paying attention or were waiting for the next experiment to be set up.

My son assured me that most of his past teachers had been better than the one I worked with.

So, I think they have fun because they are with their friends, get a snack and a take home science goodie. How much they learn, depends upon how good the teacher is.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your feedback!

[Anonymous]

My son loved the Young Rembrants class and I thought he learned a lot.