LabRats Senior Explorers
For ages 11-18
Advanced Program
In LabRats we teach that an education in STEM is nothing less than the power to transform the entire world with a single idea. The LabRats Senior Explorer program is where young people ages 11 to 18 develop the capacity to do just that!
Senior Explorers engage in an extensive project-based STEM curriculum that exceeds the Next-Generation Science Standards (NGSS). They learn how to develop their empirical talents and creativities and apply them to attack meaningful problems in the world. At the same time, we guild them to develop a passion for service, and a commitment to giving back to their communities. Service and working "for a higher purpose," the 7th point of the LabRats Credo
Rank-based advancement
Members earn social status by advancing through a series of ranks and thereby demonstrating ever higher levels of competence in STEM and commitment to the high ideals of the program.
The lower ranks are...
LabRats
Explorer
Adventurer
The higher ranks are...
Citizen Scientist
Teacher
Mentor
Discoverer
In order to hear the highest rank--"Discoverer"-- the LabRats must discover and share some fact or insight that is new to science.
Mentorship
As they advance in the program, Senior Explorers are first mentored by more advanced members, and then mentor their juniors in return. They also must earn merit badges in subjects in which they have a personal interest. To earn the advanced badges, our members must work personally with professional scientists and engineers who mentor them the arts of discovery and problem solving.
How many students do we need to start?
Homeschool groups can begin with as few as eight (8) members provided that the meetings take place in a family home. If we need to rent a facility then we require at least 14 students to form a new LabRats Synergy.
Once we have enough students we set a convenient weekly meeting schedule and assign an expert STEM educator who has been certified in the system of LabRats instruction to lead it
How to start a LabRats Synergy near you
LabRats is just getting started. Our community may be passionate and capable, but it's still small. So if you want to see LabRats in your neighborhood then we need your help.
Here's how it works.
First, if you're a parent or if you want to sponsor a child in your neighborhood, let us know. Just fill out the form on the right, and we'll reach out to you and put things in motion.
Second, become a LabRats Booster. Boosters are volunteers who reach out to people and organizations in their communities and encourage them get involved with LabRats. It can be as simple as talking to friends and family, and asking them to go to our website. Don't worry. We will give you the support you need. Just fill out the form on the right to get started.
Sponsorships available
Of course we realize that many of the families that most need this sort of program can't afford the monthly fee. That's why we offer sponsorships to as many needy families as we can.
Sponsors can be individuals or businesses. Some LabRats parents elect to support their communities by paying for a membership in addition to their child's. If you would like to sponsor one or more needy children, please fill out the form to the right and we will contact you.
Please note that LabRats is a 501(3)(c) organization and all sponsorships and other donations are fully tax deductible.
Cost: $80 per month
Professional certified STEM experts as instructors, world class content and presentatioin, authentic experience, delivered weekly to your child and all for just $80 per month.
This young woman is experimenting with atmospheric pressure. By sitting in a large plastic trash bag and then withdrawing the air with a shop vac, the force of the atmosphere on her legs can clearly be seen. This this the first time that she has ever actually felt the enormous force that the atmosphere puts on all of us. Note the joy on her face!