Mad about Science in NJ

Mad About Science

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Visit our Kids' Camp Page for spring & summer programs
for your child's special interest

Science Events for Kids

New! Super Science Saturdays - at the Morris Museum; Saturdays Noon - 2:00 p.m.; Appropriate for ages 5 and up; Free for members; non-members: $3/child plus museum admission; Families are invited to drop in and participate in hands-on science workshops. Children will be introduced to the scientific method as they conduct experiments and observe the results
Jan 10 Polymer Slime - Discover polymers while creating slime
Feb 21 Clay - Mix up a batch of homemade clay

New Jersey State Museum (Trenton) - museum's free 2nd Saturday programs offered at 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm
Guide for the spring and summer youth programs (including several art workshops) at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg is available

Drop-In Art & Science Activities (Newark) - Saturdays & Sundays at the Newark Museum

Science Courses for Kids

Raritan Valley Community College (Branchburg) - youth programs include spring and summer offerings such as science and computers; classes are for children 6 to 16 years old depending on the course; science courses include Lego Robotics (ages 6-9) and Super Slimey Smokey Science (ages 6-12)
Engineering for Kids - after-school programs, classes and workshops for kids ages 4-14 in robotics, electronic game design and engineering; also birthday parties and camps; programs in New Jersey locations in several counties including Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesesex, Morris, North Bergen, Passaic, Somerset, Union (go to website for specific locations to see their offerings)
Middlesex Community School (Middlesex) - after-school enrichment programs for elementary-school kids and middle school kids as well as parent-child classes
Middlesex Borough Recreation Department (Middlesex) - the Recreation Department offers courses for children of various ages in science during the summer and throughout the year including Starfish Science; some programs are only open to borough residents or charge a slightly higher registration for non-residents
Mad Science - offered at participating recreation departments including Brick, Edison, Fair Haven, Lacey, Manalapan, Manchester, Middletown, Monmouth County, Neptune, Ocean, Stafford, Tinton Falls, Wall Township
Build N Blocks - interactive, hands-on workshops for preK-8th grade in math and science; Build n' Blocks workshops are available to schools, after school programs and parents
Super Science for Kids (Hackettstown) - run science programs for kids at recreation departments, community colleges, PTAs, Scouts, community groups, YMCAs and summer camps in different locations;
Awesim Saturdays - Scroll to the bottom of the page for info about these science programs offered at the Somerset County Park Commission Environmental Center for ages 10 to 13; from 1 to 4 p.m.; they also have Awesim Kids during the summer for ages 10 to 12
Science Seeds (Princeton) - science enrichment program for kids age 4 through Grade 5; classes, winter workshops, summer camp and special events

General Science Centers & Attractions

Liberty Science Center (Jersey City) - located in Liberty State Park. The museum offers exhibits and interactive displays to educate visitors on science and technology including Live Science. The site includes an IMAX theater and an area just for kids ages 2-5. The Young Guests Guide can help you plan your visit
NJ State Museum (Trenton)- covers archaeology, cultural history, natural history & fine art; the museum offers family programs; free performances on the 2nd Saturday of the month; also a planetarium
Morris Museum (Morristown) - a museum of art, science, theater and history. It's collection includes: collection include costumes and textiles, fine art, decorative art, dolls and toys, natural science, geology and paleontology, and anthropology
Children's Technology Workshop (various locations) - for ages 6-12; a weekly science workshop club is offered at some of their locations
Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) - features a new hands-on exhibit exhibit demonstrating how changes in our climate cause changes in our weather

Science Rocks with Geology

Rutgers Geology Museum (New Brunswick) - this museum features geology, natural history and anthropology, with an emphasis on the natural history of New Jersey; exhibits include a dinosaur trackway & florescent minerals & there are family programs offered (generally the hands-on activities in the museum and the "Late Nights" are for ages 5 to middle school (range from coloring stations to more advanced activities) and the field trips are best for ages 8 & older)
Stirling Hill Mining Museum (Ogdensburg) - areas of interest include the rock discovery center, geotech center and an underground mine; also dinosaur exhibits

Books

Tornadoes! by Gail Gibbons

Online Fun & Learning Tools

Super Science for Kids - offers free chemical recipes and links to other science sites
Mad Science - free Mad Science Kids Club for ages 8 to 13; kids can safely chat with friends, watch original web series on the Mad Science Kids Club Video Network, play games and more
Ology - kids' page of the American Museum of Natural History with activities and fun for various interests including the brain, marine biology, the earth & water
Picacirrillo Science Tellers - get experiment ideas for your little scientist and other educational links; sign up for their newsletter to receive more experiments you can try at home; also do events with local organizations
Science 360 for iPad - free app with science & engineering images & video from around the globe and a news feed featuring breaking news from National Science Foundation-funded institutions

Scientific Celebrations

Children's Technology Workshop (various locations) - ages 6-12
Picacirrillo Science Tellers - perform sciencetelling shows at various venues including libraries, for recreation dept. events and schools; also do parties for ages 5 to 12 years
Mad Science (Somerset, Middlesex & Monmouth counties) - science parties 5-11 years
Dinosaurs Rock - traveling museum
Storming Robots Technology Center (Branchburg) - science-themed parties for 8 & older
Doctor Electo (Denville) - science theme; Denville venue or can come to you
High Touch High Tech (Wyckoff) - science parties
Super Science for Kids - various birthday party programs for ages 4 to 12
Science Seeds (Princeton) - parties for kids age 5 & up