The Laboratory provides some of the most creative and exciting kids programming I’ve seen.  My son has done several camps here and he has loved all of them.  He did several Lego robotics camps at different locations this year, and he said that hands down, this was the best one.

-Jennifer H.

The Laboratory has been exceptional for our two kids. They’ve taken several robotics/programming and spa science classes and have really enjoyed each and every one of them. The kids get their hands into every single project, and it’s as much a makerspace as it is a laboratory. They come home with something that they’ve created just about every single week. Ed and Amy are great with kids — knowledgeable, patient, and fun. The Laboratory is where kids go to learn to love science!

–Seth S.

The Laboratory is a special place. My 9 year old attended the Harry Potter camp last year and Camp Half Blood this year and loved them both. The teachers really committed to the theme and my kid loved feeling like he was part of the Camp Half Blood world. He came home full of stories and stuff to show us every night. In addition to the great teaching, communication is also fantastic. Amy is very responsive and helpful.

-Nora C.

Our daughter attended the Accio Wizards camp at The Laboratory. She loved the experience and came home each afternoon chatting up a storm about all she learned. She has attended several different camps in the City (photography, slime, etc) and this was by far her favorite. She loved the instructors and felt very welcome for her first time attending. I highly recommend The Laboratory. We will be repeating next year!

-Shawn L.

My daughter is 10 and loved taking the weeklong camp themed as Camp Half Blood.  She enjoyed all of the experiments and it is now one of her favorite camps this summer. There is nothing else like it in the city and highly recommend. She can’t wait to attend more!

-Rose C.

I sent my daughter here for a week of Wizards camp and was blown away by every last detail. From the lab coats with personalized name tags to the experiments, to the joy radiating off of my child each day I picked her up – this camp has far exceeded my expectations. We will be back.

-Jessica R.

That Laboratory is amazing! My 10 year old son took the Discovering Diagon Alley class and absolutely loved it. He was nervous because he didn’t know any of the other kids in the class and within 5 minutes he was telling me I could leave! Every day was more fun than the day before. We will definitely be taking more classes! We live in Arlington Heights but it’s worth the drive.

-Lisa A.

My son finished Zombie Apocalypse Camp at The Laboratory last week, and I cannot say enough good things about his experience! First, he came home every night impatient to return to camp the next day (How often does that happen with a 10-yr old!?!?). Secondly, they learned soooo much in very little time. From brain dissection (not human!), to water distillation, to survival strategies, decision-making and more, they packed a lot of content into very little time. Thirdly, he got to learn in an environment that was engaging, exciting, creative and fun! I wish he could learn like this all the time. He cannot wait to return for more amazing hands-on learning! Thanks so much, Dr. Ed, Amy and Jesse!

–Carolyn O.

Honestly your camp is the ONLY ONE Sean still loves and can’t wait to return. Ed did a wonderful job.

-Lisa M.

My son attended the Hogwartz camp and loved it! The staff is great. Very patient, knowledgable, and enthusiastic. They definitely have a passion for what they do. Highly recommend to everyone that has a child even remotely interested in STEM.

-Christine D.

We loved the two camps in which Noah participated. The Accio Wizards was amazing! Ed it is great!

-Jennifer F

My daughter had an amazing time at Percy Jackson week. On Thursday she told me she couldn’t believe how quickly the week was going. She loved the activities and being around other kids who were interested in the same things she is. Amy and Ed are creative, kind, wonderful teachers. My daughter is really looking forward to Harry Potter week later this summer!

–Sarah L.

My 10 year old son just finished a virtual Harry Potter Potions camp with The Laboratory Collective. I’ve been an educator for 17 years, most of it at a project based social emotional charter school. This camp was so well thought out, engaging, hands on and well managed! “Professor Edwardus” was so patient, took the time to really engage with kids about anything they wanted to talk about and share, yet he kept the camp activities moving. The kit they sent was so well put together, with all the materials labeled in such a cute way. The part that really set this camp apart was the graduation ceremony, where Professor Edwardus spoke in detail about each child, naming their favorite characters from the books, some strengths they showed throughout the week, and some activities they really shined in. Each child felt seen, which is really magical, when you’ve got about 20 kids on Zoom! Thank you.

-Maria L-J

Two of my children have taken classes regularly at the Laboratory and have loved it each and every time. Amy and Ed are super people and easy to work with. They make every effort to direct my kids’ thinking and curiosity toward the scientific method approach while keeping it fun and engaging. My daughter just finished a Hogswart Camp and loved it! They used every opportunity to incorporate science into the imaginary fun. I especially like that it’s owned and run by local people and is not a chain, so you really get individual attention! Can’t say enough good things about this place and encourage anyone with a curious child to check it out!

–Kimberly F.

best interactive lab and great for kids!!!

-Maria K-S

K. had a fantastic time today! She has been talking about the whole day in detail non-stop since I picked her up! She loves school and her activities but I usually struggle to pull out any details of her day by the time she comes home. However, I’ve heard ALL about the day today!! From the color of the gloves and goggles, the rules, the science of the inside of a dragons’ stomach, the measurements of pouring ingredients, the park and gliders, the beaker mascot on the bag, the scavenger hunt, the movie, the game board, and her lab partner – based on her stories and elaborate details, (she just taught me how to write her name in Viking too!) I don’t know how you fit it all in one day! She is beyond thrilled to come back tomorrow!

-Hannah A.

What a fun experience for kids and the adults! Science made fun and interesting. What a great concept! Would be great if schools would make Science this much fun !!

-Linda W.

My daughter absolutely loves The Laboratory. Wonderful instructors, engaging curriculum, great environment! They make learning fun. Highly recommend.

-Dahlia S.

The Laboratory is nothing short of phenomenal! Ed is a PhD and loves to teach more than anyone I’ve ever met. He has so much patience and enthusiasm and my son cannot wait to go to class each and every week.  It’s his favorite class/activity. If you have a kid curious in science of any kind, these guys have the programs your kids and you will love. I can’t recommend The Laboratory enough… I can’t fathom a day my son won’t love coming here!

–Pamela K.

Our girls had an amazing week (Percy Jackson week) at the Laboratory! It was last minute and Amy was wonderful at helping us register. They have been to other camps over the years and this week has been the best by far. They did so many activities and the staff was great. They made crystals, potions, race cars (chariots), even ice cream! We will definitely come back and highly recommend.

-Bridget J.

Samar had a great time! It was his favorite summer camp and he tells all his friends about it! Thank you so much! We’ll see you again next year!

-Payal K.

Edward and Amy were amazing wizard teachers! Our daughter has not been a fan of Zoom, but they designed sessions that made her eager to stay and participate. The teachers were so wonderful at engaging the kids and making sure every one felt seen and heard and that all could truly be part of the experience together.

-Sarah D

My tween is always buzzing with happiness the weeks he attends The Laboratory camp. Organized, professional, and fun. We hope to attend for years to come.

-Kate S.

My kids, 9 and 11, just finished their first Hogwarts Camp and LOVED IT!! They are already looking forward to next summer and some weekend classes in the fall. Everyone was so wonderful and they learned so much. This is the best find ever. My daughter isn’t a science fan but now is ready to take on the science of cosmetics, DRAGONS and more Harry Potter next summer. They can’t get enough! So much fun with blending kid friendly themes and hands on science. I would recommend this to EVERYONE – whether your kid is a science fan or not. Amy, Dr. Ed, and everyone there were absolutely fantastic!

–Lisa H.

My daughter Layla loved her first experience at camp this past week! She is definitely looking forward to other camps/classes thoughout the rest of the year. We loved that she had a ton of fun but also was very much engaged with fun experiments!

-Maria S.

Only two days into camp, and my son can’t wait to go back! The staff is enthusiastic, energetic, and endearing. I can’t wait to take advantage of Science Night Out and day off/holiday camps with them.

–Maggie B.

Ezra is having an AMAZING time – I have never seen him this happy about a program.

-Jeremy M.

My child just completed a week of the Harry Potter Camp with her friends and absolutely loved it. This is what she said:
-the teachers are really nice
-I felt like the wizarding world of HP was real!
-I loved the creative crafts and the science was interesting and mixed in the theme of HP
She wants to attend again and can’t wait!

-Sagina H.

We had so much fun at The Laboratory! Exploring science with our 3 year old was something new and exciting and a nice change of pace from the usual singing and dancing classes. It’s was so fun to watch her use all the science equipment and she keeps asking when we’re going to go back!

-Shelly D.

We had so much fun … Exploring science with our 3 year old was something new and exciting and a nice change of pace from the usual singing and dancing classes.

-Michelle D.

I was so impressed with the attention to detail at the Hogwarts camp! My camper loved it, and the science experiments were innovative and fun — and magical, of course. Definitely exceeded expectations and looking forward to more camps.

-Lauren F.

A truly impressive experience! My daughter is in regular CPD camp nearby for most of the summer, but we splurged for two weeks here for the Harry Potter camps. By Friday, my daughter asserted this was the “BEST CAMP EVER”! An immersive experience that matches our approach at home – we allow the “wizarding world” (and Star Wars planets) to be as “real” as possible to encourage the full scope of her imagination. Ed and Amy and the team’s leadership is great for that immersion, and it’s fun to spend a week with (at least some!) like-minded kids with my daughter’s level of passion for it. Highly recommend!

-Kim R.

The thoughtful care, planning, and fun that you put into these lessons is so appreciated! Dr Ed has become a household hero around here, and my kids talk about him as if he is one of their teachers ? To say you have made an impact in my littles’ lives during all this is an understatement. Thanks for all you do. Could not recommend more highly.

-Beth S

The Laboratory is fantastic – I tell other parents about it all the time. My kids are 8 and 10 years old, and have gone to The Laboratory quite a bit in the last year, both for Saturday evening workshops (date night for parents) and for summer camp. Ed and Amy are so creative, and so engaged. I’m jealous to hear about what the kids have been up to, including dissecting sheep eyeballs and brains in Zombie Apocalypse camp. The annual family membership is a great deal – it easily pays for itself and more in terms of discounts.

-Karen M.

When we asked our 6.5-year-old daughter if she wanted to sign up for another STEAM class at The Laboratory she said YES. Why? Dr. Ed and Amy are wonderful teachers. They make learning fun. Each week, she leaves class filled with confidence and pride as she explains what she learned.  Not only does she love to build robots and make perfume but she’s interested in how the robots work and why difference scents work well together.  She loves science and math and her classes at The Laboratory teach her how she can make them part of her life…and have a great time while doing it!

–Beth G.

During this quarantine, they have put a smile on Ian’s face. Thank you for the Facebook live meetings and the zoom class!

-Azy P

Thank you so much for an engaging week! Your camp and involvement with the kiddos far exceeded our expectations, so thank you. Our kids were really thrilled all week – feedback I received ranged from “great!” to “amazing!”

-Erin S

Our group loved the experience The Laboratory provided! It was engaging and entreating with sprinkles of Harry Potter in the mix! Who knew science could be so fun! The adult private party is the way to go!

-Haley P.

My 3 year old son loved The Laboratory class! It was so great as a parent too, because you feel you’re expanding their horizons because it’s not like the typical classes I take him to – at this one they did an actual science experiment! It was very hands on, which my toddler – heck any child – enjoys. And it had a theme through-out, which I was able to carry on back home post-class to continue the fun and learning.

-Cassie M.

Student Feedback:

It was more than amazing” —M.
“Five out of five. It’s an awesome school you should go to it” —B.
“I loved everything!!!” —M.
“It’s amazing you should totally go!!! :)” —K.
“Go to Secundus Urbus” —R.
“It was great! You have to go!” —R.
“Awesome I wish I could do this everyday!” —M.
“The most amazing thing is that we got to ‘visit’ new places in Diagon Alley and make new experiments.” —M.

My son had such a fantastic time at the Harry Potter camp! I loved picking him up everyday just to see the sparkle in his eyes as he described in detail all the science activities he participated in that day. He still can’t stop talking about you guys!! Thank you!

-Elisa M.

Thank you for creating and facilitating the Harry Potter virtual camp that our daughter participated in this week.
She shared many wonderful compliments about this camp, particularly that it was quite fun and engaging. She enjoyed the interactive ways you provided for her to do science with a Harry Potter twist. We appreciate everything you and Amy are doing to encourage learning in integrative and thoughtful ways.

As a former elementary and high school Algebra teacher, I can attest to the importance of your approach to teaching and learning and I support your work wholeheartedly.

-Karen R

My 9-year old son just completed a Hogwart’s themed camp at The Laboratory. Not only did he absolutely love it, but he learned a lot as well. Dr. Ed & Ms. Amy are phenomenal – they made science interesting and fun. Dueling with the wand they made in class is spectacular … what a blast! My soon-to-be 4th grader is asking when he can go back … asking to learn more science – nothing better from my perspective!

-J S.

My Seamus attended last week’s Hogwarts camp and he had the time of his life!  He talked non-stop about it each night!  We even had nightly duels!  He learned so much, had so much fun, and thoroughly enjoyed the nice break from the sports-centered stuff we generally do.  A huge thank you to you and your team for making it such a great experience for him.

-Michelle H.

Absolutely fabulous spot for “fun” learning! My daughter has done day camps and week camps here and LOVES it!!! She recently did the Descendants camp and literally couldn’t stop talking about it for days!!! Super fun, caring instructors!! Small group atmosphere! Overall A++++++

-Katie O.

If Dr. Kang can’t get your child interested in science, no one can! His knowledge of his subject matter is phenomenal, his passion for it infectious.

-Brigid P.

You have to physically drag the kids out of this place ! The Amy-Ed uber-geek combo is highly motivated, kind and enthusiastic to make the laboratory a highly conducive and fun learning environment for kids. Thank you for the effort.

–G.K.