Rock-It Science Educationally Useful Programs

The best teachers are those who show you where to look, but don't tell you what to see. ~ Alexandra Trenfor

This quote immediately made me think of John McChesney and his teaching philosophies. Children at Rock'it Science experience the thrill of their own discoveries because he does not ever tell them what the expected outcomes are. I have had my two children enrolled in Rock'it Science classes for several years now and I will continue to register them for as many years as "Mr. Mac" is available.

My eldest daughter took Rock-It-Science classes for 5 years, and now my younger daughter is taking the classes. My kids have absolutely loved these classes! They love the stories, but most importantly they love the experiments. The experiments are aimed to show kids interesting properties of matter, but without the scientific names or the theories behind them. These experiments are truly aimed to let the kids discover for themselves the fun of experimentation, the fact that sometimes experiments do not work exactly as planned, and that science can be so much fun. I love hearing them excitedly tell me what they did that day in the class. I would not hesitate to recommend this class to any one.

My 5-year-old grandson always loves Rock-It Science, and he is a young man who knows what he likes and doesn't like. Rock-it Science is fun, engaging, and calls for young people to think scientifically, not just memorize or be told. I love seeing him explore things at home that he explored previously in Rock-it Science.

Rock-It Science is a wonderful and weird hands-on science experience for home-schooled kids; a combination of comedic storytelling and open ended, thought-provoking explorations of different scientific principles. My son is habitually late for everything, but he strives to always be early for Rock-It Science because he doesn't want to miss any of it. And the fact that it's not affiliated with any umbrella organization or franchise means that it ranges far and wide in unexpected and surprising ways... This is definitely an experience worth preserving, supporting and indulging in!

I first learned about Rock-it science while surfing the Internet for hands-on science projects to do with my son. I was so impressed with the program that I decided that I wanted to bring it to the students at the school where I teach. I flew out to California to meet John and was blown away by his love for teaching children science. He has developed a fun, inquiry based and hands-on way of teaching scientific principals. I have taught two summer classes at our school in Michigan using John's program and have seen first hand how excited students get about learning. The stories pull them in and the experiments keep them coming back for more. The parents of my students rave about how much their children are learning about science and their enthusiasm to keep learning. I highly recommend this program.

Rock-It Science is a unique program and place. Kids learn creatively, with hands-on, interactive, thought provoking science experiments. Where else are kids going to learn, in a tactile way, how big and heavy each of the planets are and how relatively far planets are from each other, using the parking lot as the canvas? Where else are kids going to learn how salt changes freezing points and, oh, make ice cream in the process? Mr. Mac, as John MChesney is affectionately known by all the kids, is enthusiastic, creative and dedicated to teaching kids about science in a makes-you-want-to-know-more kind of way. Even further, Mr. Mac and his team created a teach-the-teacher program to further share the great way they teach science.

Both of my children go to Rock-It Science. My oldest for three years now. My youngest could not wait until she was 5 years old so she could join in. They look forward to it every week. As a parent who sits and watches the class I am always impressed with Mr. Mac (as the kids call him). I watch him both with the eye of a parent and the eye of a person with a BA in Education. Not only does he present an innovative, new experiment each week (a feat I find astounding) but his attitude and skill with the children is amazing. He is calm, centered and delightful as he teaches them, keeping things safe without making the kids fear anything. My children are learning hands-on science from him and I can see the results in their play at home as they adjust a fulcrum to make a toy or talk about gravity and temperature, but for me, I am incredibly grateful for Mr. Mac's educational approach. My children are presented each week with an amazing adult mentor who models respect, joy, and learning. It's a fantastic educational environment and I recommend Rock-It Science with enthusiasm.

Rock-It Science understands what motivates kids to learn. Classroom experience is more conducive to the real world, which is rare here in the Silicon Valley. Collaboration is key, and projects are left to the creativity and resourcefulness of the kids. Regardless of age, kids are given a range to explore, and their curiosity is always triggered.

My kids and I very much enjoyed the year of science classes thy took a couple of years ago, taught by Mr. Mac. Mr. Mac has a great way with kids. His style of story with a subtle lesson underneath and then hands on lesson is perfect for young kids in particular. My kids always looked forward to their classes with him.

Both my boys, ages 10 & 12 have absolutely loved Rock-it Science and Mr. Mac's incredible way of teaching. We drive about 40 minutes to get there and it is always worth it. For my 12 year old, HFA son, it is absolutely his favorite class. He can't wait to go every week.

My kids enjoy their classes and summer cams, highly recommend.

My son really love the class and the summer camp. Last year I signed him up for one week summer camp, and he liked so much that he asked for more. Eventually he attended all the remaining rock it science summer camp. He is having once a week class and he wants more. I do wish they have more classes per week.

Mr. Mac and his assistant made the world come alive for my two sons. Rock-it Science's effective use of the picture story format was visually engaging for my 9 and 12 year olds, and the enquiry based learning stimulated their imagination - words spilled excitedly from the boys as they retold what they learned each day. Sometimes the why wasn't always clear but that's what made Rock-it Science exciting - there's always something to learn, or prove, or try again. Rock-it Science infused a curiosity for science and how it explains our world, that remains with my sons to this day. As the parent, I appreciated they came home with their own projects sans adult influence on trying to "cookie cutter - make it pretty." I know when it's my son's creations and the fact they proudly came home with it, showed Rock-it Science respected the students creativity. Thank you Rock-it Science!

Rock it Science is a fun and interesting way for children to explore science through experimentation. Children listen to a fun story about Jack and Jill and then do an experiment related to the story. After the lesson is over children discuss what they found out, through their observations of the experiment, and end the story of Jack and Jill. It is a hands on way of learning important science concepts. The lessons in gage all types of students. In fact the lessons even in gage the adults observing the class.

My son went to the summer session for two summers. They make science fun and very understandable.

There lessons are technically very acurate while still having the kids play and learn at the same time.

I higly recommend it.

My three children have been attending classes here for 2 years now. They are always looking very much forward to it every week, they come out very excited about the experiments they had done. I like the fact that I can put my 5 year old in the same group with her older brothers, 8 and 10, she has as much fun as they do. Mister Mac has a very positive attitude, it is a very relaxed environment, the children are thrilled about the stories through which Mister Mac explains the facts.

Have heard about how great RockIt Science is for several years. My 11 yr old just started taking it this year and loves it! She has tried both the middle age classes and the teen classes, which consist of more dangerous experiments, and likes both. I wish I had enrolled her years ago in these classes! She has done and seen a lot, but these classes expose her to new things she has not experienced before. Very hands on and fun, and Mr. Mac's crazy creative stories are lots of fun too!

My son loves Rock-It Science. Mr. Mac and his teachers make science so much fun. It's the best way to learn with hands on experience. I have older kids who took classes with Mr. Mac over 10 years ago. His program was great then, and has only gotten better.

My sons have been taking science classes from Mr. Mac at RockIt Science for several years now. Mr. Mac uses a hands-on approach that allows students to experiment, solve problems, and discover scientific principles for themselves, resulting in lasting, meaningful learning. My teens always want to go to RockIt Science because the classes are not only educational and inspiring but also engaging, exciting, and fun! They are an important part of their education and contribute to a life-long love of science and learning in general.

Our son has attended Rock-It Science classes completing a year now. We started him off with a summer camp and he was so excited every day to attend and to learn more about his experiments that we placed him in the after school program during the school year. This class has launched the love for sciences for our son. The teachers are caring and patient and love what they do. They have created such an amazing environment where kids love learning that I wish there were the same type of program in math and language arts. They have mastered how education should be taught to all children. I have an MD, majored in theoretical math and went to MIT for grad school and never had I been taught in such an environment as Rock-It Science. I would highly recommend them for any child both interested in science or not. I guarantee they will have a blast!

My two children (a 9 year old daughter and a 13 year old son) always looked forward to Rock It Science classes with Mr. Mac.

They enjoyed his stories about Evil Mr. Fred, but the real fun was hands-on science.

After classes with him my kids wanted to know more on the subject he introduced so we always ended in the library or bookstore to learn more.

Mr. Mac is an incredible teacher. He treats kids with respect and he knows how to engage them and to make them curious.

My son has been taking classes at Rock-it Science for two years and he loves it. It's entertaining and educational. What more could you ask for in a class. Mr. Mac makes learning fun. He is very interesting, engaging and a great teacher.

Mr. Mac is an inspiring teacher/guide into the fun world of science. My three kids always anticipated going to class and hearing his strange stories drawn on the white board, and enjoyed the hands-on (sometimes full-body) experiments that followed. Some of the topics he covered were springs, levers, polarized lenses, and pulleys. There were many others, but that's off the top of my head. This program is fitting for all ages, as well as kids who think they don't like or understand science.

Rockitscience under the guidance of John McChesey has been providing inquiry based science experiments for children and youth. His lessons include a fun story that strikes the students imagination and challenges them to explore and in doing so they discover the patterns of the underlying principles of the very lesson he is teaching with the experiment.
As an upper grade elementary teacher, every time I have seen John's lessons, I come away with inspiring activities to teach my students. I have known John since 1993, when I first saw his lessons at Reed Elementary when he taught science enrichment in my then second grade daughter. After 18 years my 25 year old daughter and her friends still remembers Mr. Mac's science lessons.
Rockitscience is a unique science school that recognizes the ability of children to discover via exploration and the wisdom of the inquiry process.

My son attended Rock It Science class at the recommendation of a friend who had a son that loved science. We did classes for 2 semesters. The class was always interesting, challenging within the age group present and always forced the kids to think. The answer wasn't just given to them, they had to do the experiment and experience the conclusion. John McChesney has extraordinary patience with the students and gave lots of room for their scientific genius to blossom. We lived about 25 miles away so we weren't able to continue classes but appreciated the commitment quality and unique education!

Both of my sons attended the summer camp programs. The programs offered by Rock-It Science are by far supierior to other classes or camps they have attend. Everyday they came away with new ideas and understand of how things work. BUT better than this.... they were intreged to learn more! Not only were they ingaged and being challenged to learn and discover new concepts they had time to explore their own idea about things. Awesome program! Would highly recommend to others. My kids are older now, I wish they had a teen/high school program for the summer.

Rock-It Science Is one of the best hands-on, engaging science programs in the area. The classes allow participants to experience scientific phenomena in an entertaining and thought-provoking way.

My son has attended numerous rock it science camps. He loved his experiences there. He learned a lot of actual science and did a number of actual science experiments. The equipment there are actual scientific machines, not some improvisation. The teacher is engaging and fun. My son learned a lot.

My children have attended classes at Rock-it Science for six years, and still absolutely love every class. Mr. Mac is a highly gifted and creative teacher, and allows children to learn from hands-on experience, doing activities that they would rarely get a chance to do at home.

I cannot recommend this science program highly enough.

My children have taken several years of Rock-It Science classes from Mr. Mac. They gained so much science in a fun and engaging way. He handles the large classes and small classes quite well. The kids are engaged and listen and participate with great enthusiasm. We have recommended Rock-It Science to other families and have heard much the same results.

My son took Rock-it-Science classes for years - first as a homeschooler, later as an after-school class, and a summer camp. It was wonderful to see him so excited about experiments, and various scientific experiences I would not have been able to provide for him at home. Mr. Mac's scientific knowledge and experience, as well as his unique visual teaching style (including storytelling) encourage exciting exploration, logical reasoning, creativity, and also cooperation. Rock-it-Science classes ROCK like no other science classes we tried! Highly recommend!

My son took classes at Rock-It science for years. I love the use of play and exploration, and the freedom the kids have to experiment and learn. My degree is in Molecular Biology, and I know that early exposure to science concepts in a safe, free environment is the best way for kids to learn and get excited about STEM fields. We moved away from the classes a few years ago, but I use their examples and materials that they offer on their website to teach children in my new area.

I heard about this site from a very close friend of mine. He sent his daughter to the camp last summer and is going to send her again this summer. He highly recommended this program and told me the it is really rocking!! I am happy there's something like this site for my son's after school activities and for summer fun. Way to Rock it Science!!

I have a son with special needs who is very smart. I was looking for a science class that would engage him but also have some flexibility for his needs. He was 10 years old when he took the class and he LOVED it. The instructor is so lively and great with kids (both typical and special needs). He teaches scientific principles in very interesting and fun ways that kids (and adults!) get a lot out of. This class is part interactive lecture (presented in a very fun way), but the majority of the class involves hands-on activities that reinforce the science concepts very creatively. There were always a lot of kids in the classes, having a great time. It's a great program and I highly recommend it!

Rock-It-Science is a place where learning happens on many different levels and aspects. In the four years my son has been taking classes there, he has learned not only science, but also, social skills, overcoming fears, letting imagination takeover and so much more. Mr. Mac. is creating a safe place where kids think like scientists, try, learn that sometime experiments don't go as planned, learning and practicing every time their team working skills, take chances, and discover new concepts without being lectured. They learn what science is all about - life! They discover new and better ways to achieve the daily challenge, listening to their friends, and working together, while enjoying the cheerful, knowledgeable guidance of Mr. Mac.
Sharon Barkan.

My daughters love to read, to write, to story-tell. They paint and dance and sing. They do not like science. "Science is boring," they told me. "Science is for boys."

They came running out of their Rock-It class last week and jumped into the car in a tumble of laughter and chatter. "We got to explode things!" my third grader exclaimed. "I think science is my favorite subject now," my fifth grader said, her eyes shining. "No, well, maybe it's still history. But in history, you just READ about things exploding. Mr. Mac lets us DO it!"

Rock-It-Science is one of those amazing places where learning really is about having fun. My son has attended classes here for almost two years and is ready to sign up again. In fact, if he's sick, it's often hard to convince him that he really shouldn't go to class.

For parents, it's exciting to watch our children completely immerse themselves in learning.

Rock-it Science was a fantastic find! I am very happy that this learning option exists for my son. While he plays sports to hang out with his friends, he absolutely loves Rock-it Science! "Mr. MAC" obviously enjoys what he is doing but his passion for what he does is infectious. My son wants to get there early and always is one of the last to leave. He doesn't even realize that he is learning, he has so much fun. :)

My son has attended many sessions at Rock-it. The stories that John wraps
around the science are really engaging -- so much so, that I, an engineer, would
hang around after taking my son there so I could hear the stories.
A truly wonderful experience for my son. I wish there were programs for
older kids so we could continue attending.

Mr. Mac's classes are the most engaging and interesting way to get exited about science that my two kids have experienced. They have taken classes with Rock-It Science for 5 years and they still love them. As they start to take high school level courses and junior college classes now, the return on the investment is clear, many concepts that are only conceptual to other students cause an "Aha" moment in my two teens as they remember doing all that fun stuff with Mr. Mac. I can't recommend it enough and only wish I had had classes like these when I was young.

RockIt Science puts the magic into Science. My daughter has attended RockIt Science homeschool classes for one year, and they are the most inspirational classes that she takes. The students get to do amazing experiments in a lab unlike any other - Mr Mac is engaging and wonderful with the students and his enthusiasm for science and the wonders of physics and chemistry and the natural world is catching! My daughter LOVES science because of Mr. Mac and RockIt Science. Highly recommend!!!

I am homeschooling my son. He has unending appetite for everything science related. So, he was exposed to a variety of different science related programs, classes, books, museums etc. Rock-It-Science is definitely one of his favorites.

Mr. Mac's Rock-It Science classes are fantastic! My boys love his classes and never want to miss them. Mr. Mac can field any science question even gifted kids have, which can be a feat. We love his teaching style of combining imaginative story telling with hands on science exploration. Mr. Mac is very adept at facilitating learning with a variety of children, getting them excited about exploring the science of physics, chemistry, and engineering. I whole-heartedly recommend his classes!

I wish that everyone could visit John McChesney's small lab to witness the workings of his incredible science program. He knows how to work with kids. He provides the right amount of magic and instruction, while allowing the students to explore and experiment. It's really amazing. A brilliant program provided by a wonderful, patient, knowledgeable human being. Please keep his lab in operation. I think that the exposure to science that Mr. McChesney provides is life-changing for the lucky kids who get to participate. My kids loved it!!

My son is 6 1/2 and in the 1st grade. He doesn't get much science in school, but absolutely loves learning and science is his passion. When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, his answer is always "a scientist".

Rock-It Science is an amazing program where my son can learn, laugh, and discover. He learns and understands the science around him. The classes are taught in a fun and exciting way. Children of all ages are engaged and learn.

Science is often a subject that children are turned off from - feeling it is difficult or boring. Rock-It Science makes science fun, exciting, and an adventure. My son is excited to go and hear the stories, learn, and try the hands on experiments. These classes are fantastic in helping all kids learn.

I have sent my two kids to Rock-it-Science for the past 2 summers. It is incredibly fun and memorable programs for them. They had a blast and looked forward to camp everyday. They are looking forward to Rock-it-Science camp this year!

Rock-it-Science is an outstanding hand's on experience for children that they gear towards the respective age group. In this learn-by-doing environment, children are are challenged to find out answers by their experience, vs. being "told" what's going to happen. In addition to summer programs, Rock-it Science offers programs during the school year. Rock-it Science is a terrific program that is highly recommended.

Rock-It Science has kept my three children completely engaged for the last 5 years. They adore Mr. Mac and come out of his classes completely excited about what they did, chattering about the experiments and the amazing adventures of Jack, Jill and Evil Mr. Fred. Mr. Mac's philosophy on educating children is spot on, allowing them to learn through play and experimentation rather than rigid academics. I am completely confident that my kids will have a far deeper understanding of many science concepts when they move on to more academic classes.

Rock it science turned my daughter onto science. John makes science both fun and interesting. Rock it is helping to shape a generation of life long science learners here in Silicon Valley.

Rock-it Science has been an amazing support for our students. In the three years that we have worked with them, our 5th Grade CST Science scores have increased from 3% to 31% Proficient or Advanced. The language based science lesson is effective for our English Learners and supports all of our students in learning scientific concepts.

Rock-it Science provides wonderful hands-on experiences with science to children 5-16 years old. Rock-it Science uses wacky story situations that feature a physics challenge to engage the students, and then they do two or three experiments to figure out ways to solve the challenge. The students make flaming wax creatures, sparking buzzing things, scary medieval catapults, strange roller coasters, and more! Rock-it Science provides summer camps, after school classes, field trips, and homeschool classes. The founder, Mr. Mac, can usually be found leading classes. He's a former robotics engineer with an uncanny ability to make difficult scientific concepts easy for children to understand. And now, Mr. Mac has put some of experiments on video, available on Amazon, to reach a wider audience.