Mad Science

Mad Science
Children's Education & Entertainment
Headquarters Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Area served
 Worldwide

The Mad Science Group is a franchise company that specializes in educational and entertaining programing for children that presents science in a visual and interactive manner which sparks their imaginative curiosity. Mad Science franchisees offer after school programs, workshops, birthday parties, special events, and camps.

Programs are designed for children from pre-school to middle school age on topics such as light, sound, electricity, magnetism, anatomy, optics, chemistry, space technology and robotics. Children are given hands-on activities combined with discussion and demonstrations to meet specific learning objectives while in a fun and challenging environment.[1]

History

Mad Science began in 1985 with two brothers, Ariel and Ron Shlien who had a keen interest in performing science experiments at an early age. They utilized this passion for science and developed activities which they performed at their local YMCA. They soon discovered that the interactive element of their science presentations sparked the children’s curiosity. This led to the development of after school programs and workshops at local school and community centers. The company continued to grow and in 1990 the brothers registered the name "The Mad Science Group". In 1994 Mad Science partnered with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines to offer science shows to the children on board. In the mid 90's Mad Science began franchising its concept, opening 28 franchises across North America by the end of 1996. In 1999, Ariel and Ron received The Young Entrepreneur Award from the Business Development Bank of Canada. "Winners are chosen according to selection criteria based on company growth, involvement in the new economy, innovation, community work, and export performance". Over the next decade, Mad Science continued its growth and to date has over 150 franchises in 21 countries.[2][3][4]

Mad Science Productions

Mad Science Productions, incorporated in 1997 by Ariel & Ron Shlien, was a division of the Mad Science Group that specialized in the development, production, and operation of interactive science-based stage shows for theme and amusement parks, performing arts centers and fairs.

Mad Science Productions had four shows available for touring: "Star Trek Live", based on the newly released Star Trek movie, "CSI: LIVE!", based on the top rated television series,[5] "Lights, Camera, Action & You!: The Science Behind the Movies", which demonstrated the science behind movie making; and "Newton's Revenge 2", which demonstrated the role of physics in our everyday lives.

Produced in collaboration with the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and NASA, "Mad Mission to Mars" was staged at its permanent home at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, United States, where it premiered in 2001 through to 2009 as the feature family audience show offering.[6]

References

  1. ↑ NASA and Mad Science Partner to Promote Science Education
  2. ↑ The Mad Science Group - Taking Off!
  3. ↑ The Method in Mad Science
  4. ↑ Business Development Bank of Canada honours the achievements of 19 entrepreneurs under the age of 30
  5. ↑ Byrne, Terry "A scientific blend of education, entertainment" Boston Globe February 26, 2009
  6. ↑ Kennedy Space Center News
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