Further Links:
Fees and Registration
Advertize Your Class
Prepare for the Class
Show Time!
Class Registration Form
Summer Science Kit Order Form
The Camps:
Chemistry Camp (Grade 4-8)
Cost of Kit to Teacher/School: $115.00
Suggested Camp Fee $145.00-$185.00
Out to Launch (Grade 4-8)
Cost of Kit to Teacher/School: $105.00
Suggested Camp Fee $135.00-$175.00
The Inventor's Bench (Grade 4-8)
Cost of Kit to Teacher/School: $120.00
Suggested Camp Fee $145.00-$185.00
Micro Science Adventures (Grade 2-6)
Cost of Kit to Teacher/School: $105.00
Suggested Camp Fee $135.00-$175.00
Anatomy Academy (Grade 2-6)
Cost of Kit to Teacher/School: $95.00
Suggested Camp Fee $115.00-$155.00
Lab Loot Information
Advertize Your Class
Obviously, the best way to make this program successful is to let folks know where and when the class is to take place. It is a safe bet that McDonald's did not sell billions of hamburgers on the strength of the quality of the things. They advertise constantly and it brings folks to the table. The same thing is going to happen for you. Here are some techniques we've found that help to do the trick:
A. Flyers
This is the best way to get the message home. The most important thing is to get this registration form into their hands so they can sign up. We've posted templates for advertisement and registration for all of the classes. Click on links to the left for PDF files of the registration flyers for you to download. Make a copy of the appropriate class form, fill it in with the relevant information, make enough copies so that each kid will have one to take home. For example, if you are teaching Chemistry Camp, that kit is designed for 4th through 6th graders. Let's say you have 110 fourth, 121 fifth, and 106 sixthgraders in your school, you would make 336 copies, one for each kid, and another 20 or so to put in the office.
B. Posters
We provide each teacher who submits a LabRats Proposal with five (5) color posters to help advertise the class. We request that you laminate the posters and use erasable markers so you can use them all year long. The poster will allow you to notify kids which class is coming up, the appropriate grade level, the dates, location, instructor, and where to pick up registration forms. You will want to place these posters in high traffic areas; we recommend outside the office, at the entrance to the cafeteria and library, in the main hallway and outside your door. Additional posters are available for 75¢ each plus a fee of $ 3.50 for shipping and handling your request.
C. Window Displays
We found that putting a window display in a prominent place is an excellent way to generate interest. The kids get a chance to look at all of the chemicals, rocks, or widgets that are in the kit they will get. Emphasize that they get to keep the kit and take it home at the end of the class. We also suggest listing the activities that will be learned. Some of these can be found on the registration templates that are in this book, others in the lab books found in the kits themselves. This also whets their appetites.
D. Classroom Visits
A five minute visit to each classroom to show off the kit and do one experiment goes a long way to fill up your class. Be a little selective about the activity that you choose to demonstrate. The first time we tried this idea, we were promoting a chemistry class for K-2 kids. To generate interest, we chose to make giant bubbles using a string and two straws. It makes great bubbles. Bubbles that cause children to squeal with delight as they float into the room and pop over their heads, coating them with soap solution. We had over 60 kids sign up for that Saturday class, but we had to promise the teachers that we would choose a less chaotic demonstration next time.
E. Press Release
Newspapers love to carry articles about unusual community events in their human interest section. A high-quality, after-school, hands-on science lab is very unusual, or at least it is until you develop a reputation. You will want to include the following things in your press release: your name, the school's name, a description of the program, a description of the class, dates, times, directions to the school, and your personal invitation. Follow that up with a call to the appropriate newspaper employee and invite them a second time. We have had lots of teachers appear on the front pages of lots of small town papers. Would love to see more.
