It all started in Chicago in 2010 when two dads, friends, and avid problem solvers, Shegan Campbell and Keith Norsym, decided that instead of trying to find a great idea, they wanted to identify a problem that they were passionate about, and fix it. One Saturday afternoon at Panera Bread a few years ago, they asked....

"Why is it that all kids love science until about the 5th grade and then for the rest of their school years treat science as if it were boring, too difficult, or only for nerds?  And why is it that in the U.S. we don't actively teach kids how to design, create, build, and fully explore the science that they are curious about? Kids love science, so why do so few have an opportunity to explore it. Isn't science fun, mysterious, and engaging...?" The result was the creation of Kids Science Labs, the best program for engaging kids 2-12 in innovation, creativity, and design.  

We want children everywhere to experience Kids Science Labs are are working hard to make that a reality. Below are a few of our current programs that enable us to achieve our mission.  

Scholarships

Our scholarship program is designed to help enable families and their children, who desire to commit to attending classes at Kids Science Labs regularly, offset a portion of the cost of attending classes here.  In addition to attending weekly hands-on science classes at the most convenient KSL Learning Center to them, scholarship recipients also receive special access to our other programming, including summer camp, special events, and special engagements with our teachers.  

All current students, regardless of financial means, deserve to have consistent access to beautiful learning centers, engaging teachers, and an amazing hands-on science program.  At Kids Science Labs, we focus every day on long-term outperformance for kids using critical thinking, creativity, and innovation with toddlers (24 months) through 6th graders.  We have a responsibility to local families who may not yet have the means to provide KSL for their children.  Since 2011, over 100,000 students have participated in our internationally recognized program that inspires kids today to build a better future tomorrow through the most engaging hands-on science program in the world.  

Field Trips & Partnerships

We want kids everywhere to experience what we do at KSL.  However, as parents, we know how hectic schedules can be and all the demands on our families.  We work hard to provide access for schools to bring classes to KSL for weekly, monthly, or yearly field trips.

At KSL, we recognize the limitation that a lack of access to transportation and financial resources can have in a child's ability to access our programming and learning centers. We value our partnerships with schools, businesses, and community organizations that enable us to connect with and engage kids all across the city.  The list below is just a sample of the organizations that we have partnered with to expand our programming and improve access to KSL for all students.  

If you are a school looking to coordinate a field trip, please submit an inquiry via our field trip request form.  For organizations interested in working together to find ways to provide more consistent access to programming that fuels kids' critical thinking and problem solving across our great cities, please contact our Director of Programs at katie@kidssciencelabs.com.  

Giving Something Back

We recognize that our impact in the community can only go so far within the walls of our learning centers. In order to establish stronger relationships within the various areas that we serve, Kids Science Labs is proud to coordinate with several organizations that work tirelessly to better the lives of families and children. Between the staff in all of our learning centers, KSL volunteers over 1,000 hours of our time at places such as the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Howard Area Community Center, Mary's Place, BUILD, and more.  If you are a 501(c)(3) organization with an organizational mission focused on families or science and would like to partner with Kids Science Labs to further your goals of positively impacting the lives of children, please contact us.