With an understanding that children are natural scientists who are constantly questioning the world around them, co-owners and educators Courtney Flynn and Jennifer Moore created Rad Lab Science, a science program specifically designed to capture the attention of children ages 3-5 years. Children now have an opportunity to enjoy new observations while making new discoveries; each student’s natural curiosity is encouraged, while simultaneously building their science confidence, literacy and a strong foundation. While participating in hands on learning and group hypothesis, the magic of science unfolds before the preschooler’s very eyes!
“We both have preschool age children and we love to do science type things at home with them, said Flynn. “There wasn’t anything around like this, so we thought with both of our backgrounds, we would be a good pair, and we decided to create a company that offered science for this age group.”
This dynamic duo packs a powerful punch; both are certified teachers and moms ‘with a love for all things science and messy’:
Courtney Flynn is a mom, a certified elementary teacher and certified special education teacher with a M.A in Elementary Education and a M.A in Special Education Birth – Grade 2. She also earned a B.A degree in Marketing, taught elementary education for nine years, currently works with birth – three year olds in Early Intervention and has a private practice helping children with developmental challenges.
Jennifer Moore is a mom, a certified science teacher with a B.S in Biology and a M.S degree in Secondary Science Education. She taught high school science for nine years including biology, chemistry and forensic science and is currently teaching pre-school aged science fun.
Curriculum:
In each one hour long class, children learn a new lesson based on the scientific concepts which are aligned with the Ct State Core Science Curriculum Frameworks for Pre-K to 2nd grade.
- Sessions begin with a sensory activity which includes the week’s core theme.
- A lesson in safety, relating to the investigation, is taught.
- The Rad Scientists complete a hands-on experiment.
- Each week includes a literacy component (a story) supporting that week’s core theme.
- Sessions end with a discussion and written observations, providing closure on the weekly core theme.
In each 10-week session, the duo hits all the different disciplines of the sciences. Topics include gases, chemistry, biology, gravity, physics, forensic science, earth, literary and more. Children enjoy hands on experiments each class, creating an exciting and memorable outcome. Families are encouraged to share in their child’s experiences and only “very safe household products” are used in each experiment.
“They take everything home to talk with their families about,” said Moore. “They become confident and comfortable with the terminology and with knowing they are good at this, we hope science will stay with them, we want them to know they are the smart ones who can do science and will continue to succeed, as their science knowledge grows.”
Goal:
As children get older they sometimes feel that science is ‘too hard’ or that ‘they are not good at it’, though they are still fascinated by their observations and discoveries made.
The team agreed, our goal is to build science confidence and literacy in our students at an early age, so they can continue to succeed and feel confident in science as they grow. Children truly love science.
“We’re having so much fun and are getting a lot of positive feedback,” they continued. “The kids enjoy taking things home and are retaining their lessons; they’re really excited about it!”
The next Rad Lab 10-week session begins December 3rd, 2014, a maximum of 10 students per class is allowed (“so we are really able to focus on them”), the Lab is centrally located in town, in the United Methodist Church on South Avenue in New Canaan, a one-time fee of $30 is required in order to provide each child with a lab coat, goggles and a lab notebook, and the program has expanded its days and hours including and announcing brand new Saturday morning classes, a Mommy & Me Science Class, and also classes for older children. 203.594.7826
