Frequently asked questions by KnowAtom customers:

1. 1. What is a class like?
2. 2. How many students are in each class?
3. 3. Do you go by age or grade? What about in the summer time?
4. 4. Do you do birthday parties?
5. 5. Do you do large educational events?
6. 6. What is your girl to boy ratio?
7. 7. Will my son/daughter’s friend be in the class?
8. 8. Do you offer sibling discounts in after school programs?
9. 9. Is this a talented and gifted program?
10. 10. Are students encouraged to be “creative” and build their own things?
11. 11. How does your program handle learning disabilities?
12. 12. Who are your instructors?
13. 13. Do you run criminal background checks or your instructors?
14. 14. How do I bring KnowAtom to our school, after school program, or camp?
15. 15. There are no programs in my area. Am I too far away?
16. 16. What if I have a problem with a KnowAtom program?
17. 17. I have a question not covered here. Who can I contact?
18. 18. How can I join your advisory board?
19. 19. Can I invest in KnowAtom, LLC?
20. 30. What is a 21^st- century curriculum?

1. What is a class like?

A KnowAtom class begins with a short lecture, discussion, and dialog, followed by project building, troubleshooting, experimentation, and wrap-up.

2. How many students are in each class?

The average class size is 10 students for classes outside school hours.

3. Do you go by age or grade? What about in the summer?

We do our best to go by grade. If you have a question about the demands of a particular class please contact us, we’d be glad to help out.

In the summer we advise parents to enroll their children according to the grade they are entering if in an older group (grade 4 and above) or the grade they are exiting (grade 3 and below). However, this is only a guideline. We trust a parent’s judgment of their child’s ability to determine what age/grade grouping is best.

4. Do you do birthday parties?

No, we do our best to keep to our academic commitment and birthday parties are not well suited to a controlled environment of project-based learning that forms the basis of all our programs.

5. Do you do large educational events?

Yes, we work with many schools, districts, and organizations to create presentations and project-based learning opportunities that suit the needs of their students. Our events can accommodate several hundred participants at a time and leave students with a better understanding of science through projects they built themselves!

6. What is your girl to boy ratio?

This widely varies by community and personalities within each class. We cannot guarantee a specific ratio but classes of all girls and classes of all boys do happen. In our experience, those who enroll their sons or daughters are glad they did so.

7. Will my son/daughter’s friend be in the class?

We safeguard our students’ information and will not give out names or numbers to those looking for carpools or to confirm a friend is in the class. The best solution is simply to ask around or invite a friend to join up.

8. Do you offer sibling discounts in after school programs?

No, unfortunately. Our classes are intentionally kept small and the combination of teacher, insurance and materials costs are such that we are left with no room to discount.

9. Is this a talented and gifted program?

No, however, we tend to see many high performing children because the type of programming we offer is so different than what is often available at museums and school science shows.

10. Are students encouraged to be “creative” and build their own things?

We present all the materials to each student for the construction of a specific project related to the topic of the day and we encourage functional creativity. We do not merely put a bunch of materials in front of students and allow them to create art/play things that are off topic. We feel this is part of the educational structure we bring to the classroom and separates us distinctly from a play arts and crafts environment. However once students create a functional device we encourage them to explore the scientific method and engineering design process as they creatively modify their projects.

11. How does your program handle learning disabilities?

We are aware of the impact learning disabilities play in student learning, frustration tolerances, and attention span; however, we try our best to treat all children equally. There have been many occasions; particularly with children on the ADD spectrum where the hands-on environment brings out a different side to the point we wouldn’t have guessed the student had a learning disability.

Specific to in-school curriculum programming, students on Individual Education Plans can succeed in science through KnowAtom programming. Our program is unique as it offers many different three dimensional and functioning contexts for concepts being presented. Through the use of engaging hands-on projects and visual aids, special educators are given a number of tools for helping students visualize, contextualize, and engage scientific concepts.

12. Who are your instructors?

Our instructors are people who love kids and science. We strive to find the right people and not merely degrees. The combination of teacher and scientist is a special mix. If you have a question for any of our instructors or if you are interested in applying for a position please contact us.

13. Do you run criminal background checks on your instructors?

Yes, absolutely. We run background checks on all our instructors in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. If you have not already done so, you should ask the same questions of all organizations providing services to your children as a baseline precaution.

14. How do I bring KnowAtom to our school, after school program, or camp?

It’s easy. Simply contact us at Info@KnowAtom.com and we will help get the ball rolling.

15. There are no programs in my area. Am I too far away?

KnowAtom programs are offered in many areas and we are continually adding new venues. If you don’t see a venue near you please contact us at Info@KnowAtom.com and we will do our best to locate one or put one in your community.

16. What if I have a problem with a KnowAtom program?

KnowAtom instructors are committed to teaching science and engineering programs in a fun and educational way. We want parents and students to have a positive and satisfying experience with KnowAtom.

We ask that you speak with a class’ instructor as soon as an issue arises. If the problem persists or involves that instructor, please contact our program director at Director@KnowAtom.com

We are eager to address any issue that you may have. In the unlikely event of an unresolved issue, we will do our best to find a suitable solution.

17. I have a question not covered here. Who should I contact?

Please visit the contact us page and a KnowAtom representative will be happy to help address any question or concern you may have.

18. How can I join your advisory board?

Individuals with unique background in education, science, business or otherwise are encouraged to contact KnowAtom’s Director at Director@KnowAtom.com with a statement of interest and qualifications.

19. Can I invest in KnowAtom, LLC?

Yes, the first way to invest in KnowAtom is by enrolling your children in KnowAtom programming or by contacting us to start a program in your area. For those looking to make a larger financial commitment please contact our administrative team at Investment@KnowAtom.com with a statement of interest.

20. What is a 21^st- century curriculum?

Elementary school science education has always fallen behind the pace of science. Everyday, news about personal genetics, climate change and digital technology flash on our computer and television screens. This is the scientific world that students live in.

Our curriculum provides the basics for 21^st- century science exploration, bringing in topics–like DNA–that few regular classrooms entertain teaching at an elementary level. Our experience shows students not only can learn these topics but, that they help students make connections with other related topics and the world around them. With the basics in, students can engage in the news or when concepts are reintroduced in later grades.