Mad Science
Encyclopedia
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.
. 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 200 franchises in 25 countries.
Mad Science Productions currently has 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, "Lights, Camera, Action & You!: The Science Behind the Movies", which demonstrates the science behind movie making; and "Newton's Revenge 2", which demonstrates 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.
Franchising
Franchising is the practice of using another firm's successful business model. The word 'franchise' is of anglo-French derivation - from franc- meaning free, and is used both as a noun and as a verb....
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.
History
Mad Science began in 1986 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 YMCAYMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
. 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
Business Development Bank of Canada
The Business Development Bank of Canada is a crown corporation financial institution wholly owned by the Government of Canada. BDC plays a leadership role in delivering financial and consulting services to Canadian small business, with a particular focus on technology and exporting.BDC's debt...
. "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 200 franchises in 25 countries.
Mad Science Productions
Mad Science Productions, incorporated in 1997 by Ariel & Ron Shlien, is a division of the Mad Science Group and specializes 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 currently has four shows available for touring: "Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
Live", based on the newly released Star Trek movie, "CSI: LIVE!", based on the top rated television series, "Lights, Camera, Action & You!: The Science Behind the Movies", which demonstrates the science behind movie making; and "Newton's Revenge 2", which demonstrates the role of physics in our everyday lives.
Produced in collaboration with the Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center
The John F. Kennedy Space Center is the NASA installation that has been the launch site for every United States human space flight since 1968. Although such flights are currently on hiatus, KSC continues to manage and operate unmanned rocket launch facilities for America's civilian space program...
Visitor Complex and NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
, "Mad Mission to Mars" was staged at its permanent home at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida
Cape Canaveral, Florida
Cape Canaveral is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 8,829 at the 2000 census. As of 2008, the estimated population according to the U.S. Census Bureau was 10,147...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where it premiered in 2001 through to 2009 as the feature family audience show offering.