Mad Scientists coming to Franklin Square

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Find your goggles and lab coats. Chemical reactions, robotics and engineering camps are making an appearance this summer for elementary school students at Washington Street School (WSS).

Mad Science LI’s franchise aims to teach children science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills at an early age. The Mad Science Group has been providing science programs since 1985 with courses that introduce real-world experiences and critical thinking for students. Camp instructors for the various skilled courses are experienced teachers and college students studying science or education. The teachers have involvement in working with groups.

“The main goal is to encourage kids to stay interested in [STEM] throughout their education career,” Mad Science employee Andrea Neilson said.

The Franklin Square Union Free School District is presenting three camps as a part of Mad Science Summer Programs. Children entering second to sixth grade can register for Crazy Chemworks during the week of July 16-19. Students will learn how to handle laboratory equipments and see chemical reactions in front of their eyes.

To broaden their skills in robotics, campers will have the opportunity to work together to make a working robotic arm in Advanced Robotics. For the week of July 23-26, sound sensing and programmable robots will come alive in the classroom. Third- to sixth-graders will learn the rules of robotics and how robots interact in society today.

Brixology is a camp featuring LEGO bricks and engineering. Campers will interact with games through problem solving and critical thinking. Through LEGO pieces, campers will gain knowledge about engineering rules. During the week of July 30- Aug. 2, creations will plan, build and test their ideas.

Angelica Velez, a supporter of STEM based programs, grew up in Franklin Square and attended WSS. Now in her fourth year at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, she studies mathematics and engineering in order to learn different methods and techniques in engineering and critical thinking. She said students exposed to STEM materials can keep the information locked in their heads during the summer.

“Having a program for young children seems very beneficial as their minds are easily able to learn, and can offer them greater advantages when it comes to high school and college,” Velez said. “It can also spark things that they otherwise wouldn’t be exposed to until later in their lives.”

All camp sessions are Monday to Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $225 per student. Parents can register at MadScienceLi.org or by phone at 516-620-6768.