School Programs

Slapstick Science is best known for offering gang buster assemblies to large (200 to 600) audiences. If your kids don't learn something they'll never forget during our show, we haven't achieved our goal.

Workshops are designed to accompany the assemblies. Slapstick Science workshops offer the students a chanced to further explore the units introduced in the shows with Hands-On demos they conduct themselves.

Scroll down this page to browse the thumbnail sketches of our assemblies, workshops and residencies; clicking on any box will take you to a more detailed assessment of the program offered.

Assemblies

"Much Work with Little Effort"

Grades: K-6

Dr. Quark

The all-time favorite science assembly where kids learn that with physics, they can do anything! Hoisting 200 pounds (like their principal) over their heads, lifting 1000 pounds of classmates, or throwing the portly Dr. Quark 8 feet high is simply a matter of understanding Kinetic Energy, Potential Energy, Friction, and Simple Machines (pulleys, levers, and screws are demonstrated).

"The Notion of Motion"

Grades: K-8

Dr. Hector
von Vector

This Physics assembly demonstrates why objects behave/move the way do without the use of any numbers. Emphasizes Newton's Laws of Motion and finishes by quizzing the audience as to how each of Newton's Laws is demonstrated if the Slapstick Scientist discharges a fire extinguisher while wearing roller blades. Topics covered include: Scientific Method and Hypothesis, Inertia, Force, Acceleration, Action & Reaction, and Units of measurement.

"Combustion"

Grades: 3-8

Dr. Quark

A chemistry lecture about fire safety. The chemical foundations of fire are presented such that students can understand what poses fire hazards so they can recognize them and avoid them in real life. This lecture picks up where "Stop, Drop, and Roll" leaves off, explains why that's important, and makes the audience think about the fire triangle. Due to the nature of the topic, while this is still a thrilling and stimulating assembly, the tone is much more somber than any other Slapstick Science offering.

"Kiddie Chem"

Grades: K-3

Dr. Quark

Chemistry 0.101 - a kid's very first glimpse into the field of solids, liquids and gases. Designed to entertain as much as teach, this program will be most little kids' first exposure to the amazing characteristics of dry ice, liquid nitrogen, catalysts, helium, hydrogen, and chemical reactions. Created to accompany the "Combustion" program which is too somber and may be too scary for such young audiences.

Workshops

"Simple Machines Workshop"

Grades: K-6

Dr. Quark

Enhances the "Much Work with Little Effort" assembly by allowing students to manipulate and explore Dr. Quark's unique collection of machines designed expressly for use in the show and these workshops.

"Motion Workshops"

Grades: K-8

Dr. Hector
von Vector

These workshops address each of Newton's laws but particularly reinforce the concept of "Inertia" which is totally new to most students. May also help older kids grasp the concepts of "mass" and "force" and "acceleration".

Circus Residencies

During the months of September and June we do offer Circus Residencies in schools. One of our typical programs would have us working with a grade for a week and then presenting a public show featuring the skills and acts which the kids have developed. During a typical Van Lodostov Family Circus Residency we offer juggling, unicycling, spanish web, tight wire, clowning, devil stick, diabolo, stilt walking, rola bola, plate spinning, tumbling.... the list goes on because in the circus there's a job for everyone regardless of size, shape, or ability, or creativity. These programs foster team building and offer the students the opportunity to learn that they can work hard and have fun at the same time.