Founding

MAD SCIENCE originated in Montreal, Canada, in 1985, founded by brothers Ariel Shlien and Ron Shlien. The business traces its origins to Ariel Shlien’s interest in laser technology and science demonstrations. After purchasing a helium-neon laser with savings from a paper route, he began performing laser light shows for local DJs. An opportunity to demonstrate the laser at a children’s science event revealed the potential of combining spectacular demonstrations with science education.[1]

The brothers subsequently began presenting science demonstrations and activities to children. What began as a hobby evolved into a structured educational business as demand grew for their interactive presentations. Programs eventually expanded into schools, camps, community centers, and other educational settings.[1]

Early expansion

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, MAD SCIENCE expanded beyond individual demonstrations into organized after-school programs, workshops, and science clubs. The company formally registered the name The Mad Science Group in 1990.[2] The business model increasingly emphasized repeatable educational programming delivered by trained instructors rather than relying exclusively on the founders.

MAD SCIENCE also developed partnerships and special-event programs during this period. In the 1990s, for example, the company partnered with Royal Caribbean International to provide science shows for children aboard cruise ships.[2]

Franchising

A significant stage in the development of MAD SCIENCE was the introduction of franchising. The company began franchising in the mid-1990s, expanding beyond its Canadian base into the United States and other markets. Official history identifies 1995 as the beginning of franchising, with offices established in Toronto and Miami. By 2000, The Mad Science Group had grown to 86 locations.[1]

Franchising allowed the company to maintain a common brand, curriculum, activity concepts, and training framework while enabling local operators to deliver programs within their respective communities.

MAD SCIENCE operates primarily as a science enrichment and children’s educational entertainment franchise network. Rather than functioning as a conventional school or tutoring company, its programs combine elements of STEM education, experiential learning, children’s entertainment, science demonstrations, after-school enrichment, summer and holiday camps, birthday-party entertainment, and community and corporate events.

The company describes its programs as both educational and entertaining, emphasizing hands-on participation over passive instruction.[1] Local MAD SCIENCE operations are generally run by franchisees, while the broader organization develops branded programming, provides franchise support, and maintains standards for program delivery.

A central concept behind MAD SCIENCE is that children can develop a stronger interest in STEM subjects when scientific ideas are presented through curiosity, experimentation, physical demonstrations, and play. Instead of beginning with abstract scientific theory, many activities allow children to observe a phenomenon and then explore the scientific explanation behind it.

Activities may involve chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, astronomy and space science, electricity, magnetism, optics, sound, light, robotics, environmental science, human anatomy, and inventions and technology. MAD SCIENCE describes its programs as hands-on, meaning children are encouraged to participate directly in experiments and activities rather than simply watching an instructor.[1]

After-school programs

After-school STEM programs are a major offering of MAD SCIENCE. Designed generally for elementary-age children, these programs cover subjects ranging from engineering and physics to chemistry and biology. MAD SCIENCE states that its programs are designed for children approximately 5–12 years old and include more than 75 hours of available content across different themes.[1]

Classes typically combine demonstrations, experiments, discussion, and hands-on activities. Children may also receive a science-themed educational toy or activity to take home after a class to reinforce concepts introduced during the session.[1]

School programs

MAD SCIENCE provides programs directly to schools, which can take the form of multi-week science clubs, workshops, assemblies, and classroom enrichment programs.[3] Topics include electricity, magnetism, optics, biology, engineering, and other areas of science.[3] These programs are designed to supplement rather than replace conventional classroom science education.[3]

Summer and holiday camps

MAD SCIENCE operates science-themed summer and holiday camps for children. Camp themes include space exploration, inventions, engineering, spy science, chemistry, dinosaurs, robotics, and general STEM exploration. Current camp materials describe programs for children approximately 3–12 years old, depending on the specific camp.[1]

Birthday parties

Children’s birthday entertainment is a significant component of the MAD SCIENCE business. Birthday experiences typically combine a themed science presentation with experiments and demonstrations. Depending on the location and package, activities can include effects involving rockets, dry ice, chemical reactions, slime, or other visually engaging scientific phenomena.[1] These programs position MAD SCIENCE partly as an educational entertainment brand rather than solely as a conventional educational provider.

Workshops and special events

MAD SCIENCE provides science demonstrations and workshops for schools, libraries, community organizations, festivals, corporate events, children’s organizations, and special educational events. Some local franchises also offer virtual experiences and other specialized formats.[1]

A notable aspect of MAD SCIENCE programming is its collaboration with NASA. The company offers a program called the NASA Academy of Future Space Explorers, which introduces children to subjects including the Sun and stars, planets and moons, rocket science, space technology, and Earth’s atmosphere. MAD SCIENCE describes the program as a collaboration between NASA and MAD SCIENCE intended to promote science education.[1] This partnership illustrates the company’s strategy of using recognizable scientific institutions and themes to make STEM subjects more appealing to children.

MAD SCIENCE has developed a structured process for creating and testing its educational programs. New programs undergo an extensive development process involving concept development and internal testing, feedback from a children’s advisory group, alpha testing at partner schools, beta testing through selected franchise locations, feedback from students, instructors, franchisees, and customers, and final refinement before broader deployment.[1]

The company states that the entire development process can take approximately 18 months, with the initial in-house development and testing stage taking around six months.[1] This approach is intended to ensure programs are both scientifically meaningful and appealing to their target age groups.

MAD SCIENCE has developed from a Montreal-based operation into an international franchise network. Corporate information currently lists the following metrics:[1]

• Founded: 1985
• Founders: Ariel Shlien and Ron Shlien
• Origin: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
• Industry: Children’s education and enrichment
• Business model: Franchise network
• Locations: 150+
• Countries: 20+
• Primary audience: Children and families
• Core focus: Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education

As franchises open, close, or change territories, these figures represent current corporate data rather than permanent historical statistics.

The name “MAD SCIENCE” deliberately contrasts traditional perceptions of science as formal or academic with a more theatrical and playful presentation. Instructors are commonly branded as “Mad Scientists,” and programs often incorporate laboratory imagery, colorful experiments, scientific props, dramatic demonstrations, and humorous presentation styles.

This branding serves two purposes: educationally, children encounter genuine scientific principles and vocabulary; as entertainment, science is presented through spectacle, humor, surprise, and participation. The result is a brand positioned between a science education provider, a children’s entertainment company, and a STEM enrichment organization.

MAD SCIENCE primarily targets children in the preschool through middle-school range, although the exact age range depends on the particular program. Principal audiences include children interested in science and experimentation, parents seeking educational extracurricular activities or birthday entertainment, schools seeking STEM enrichment, libraries and community organizations, camps and recreational programs, and organizations seeking science-themed children’s events. Programming is particularly suited to children who respond well to visual demonstrations and hands-on activities.

MAD SCIENCE states its mission as “inspiring children through science and sparking lifelong imagination and curiosity.”[1] Its stated vision is to reach 5 million children every year through its science enrichment programs.[1] The broader philosophy holds that early positive experiences with science can encourage children to remain curious about STEM subjects as they grow older.

The evolution of MAD SCIENCE can be divided into several stages based on official history and historical accounts:[1]

MAD SCIENCE is notable for helping popularize a model of informal STEM education in which scientific concepts are taught outside the traditional classroom through entertainment and experiential activities. Its approach reflects a broader movement in children’s education toward STEM enrichment, experiential learning, project-based activities, informal science education, educational entertainment, and early exposure to engineering and technology. Rather than presenting science exclusively as a school subject, MAD SCIENCE presents it as something children can see, manipulate, experiment with, and enjoy.

1. About Us | Mad Science Group | Mad Science HQ
2. Mad Science
3. School Programs | Science Clubs | Mad Science