Science Camp

When you drop your child off at Mr. Shargel’s Science Adventures, chances are you’ll be late for your next appointment.

Author:: Rachael Herrscher
Publish date:: Aug 27, 2009
Updated on: Dec 18, 2018

By Susan Safipour

When you drop your child off at Mr. Shargel’s Science Adventures, chances are you’ll be late for your next appointment. Not horribly late, but at least a few minutes because you won’t be able to resist going in to see what your child is building. A rocket? A robot? RC planes? Submarines? A boat they can race across a pool? If Matt Shargel sees you, he might start demonstrating things that are likely to explode, and then he’ll ask your child to explain why it did. Your child will explain in great detail, perhaps more than you needed to know as you look at your watch. But when you do finally leave, you will leave knowing that your child will be having the time of their life building things and learning about science by middle school science teacher, who is also something a camp expert, being the prodigy of parents who are both camp directors themselves.

975 N. San Carlos Dr., Walnut Creek, (925) 207-4000, shargelscience.com.

Published: Diablomag.com, July 2009

Author bio: Susan Safipour is the editor of Diablo magazine, and a mom.

As part of Monte Vista High's Science Alliance, Drew Bell was one of more than 200 volunteer mentors helping some 245 San Ramon Valley District fifth-graders prepare for an annual April science fair.

Beginning a new school year reminds us that people’s feelings vary at different stages of development and sometimes the best thing we can do is talk about them.

Zen Board

This time of year is like the 2nd "New Years". What's next for our kids and the school year, what's next for the holidays, and what's next for us personally.

Batman swoops in, shocking his enemies and knocking them ferociously to the ground. This scene sizzles on screen. However, played out by four-year-old boys eager to feel powerful, it quickly ends in tears.

Give your school library your favorite children's book

Wish you had an awesome library at your child’s school? Dream of having new releases, sturdy hard-backs or beautiful picture books come home with your student? Does your school library have all your favorites?

The Family that Ran 680 Miles to Disneyland

We were taking our kids to Disneyland in February and I had the idea that we should run (or walk) the amount of miles of the distance from our home in Salt Lake City, Utah to Anaheim, California . . .

Research shows that talking about rules and the reasons why we follow them enhances children’s moral development. The idea isn’t to nudge them into a new stage of abstract thinking but to help them grow into making thoughtful decisions.

7 Tips For Raising Adventurous Kids

Whether you are planning a trip to the zoo, a hike in the mountains, a trip overseas, or settling down with a good book, you are showing your kids the stuff that makes up an adventurous, curious life.