It wasn’t your typical science lesson for over 100 Southport and Edgecomb elementary school students who learned about energy from a “mad scientist.” “Catalyst Corey” is one of nine educators who combine science and entertainment for the South Portland-based Mad Science of Maine. The organization’s “mad scientists” combine scientific concepts in an entertaining fashion to peak young minds’ interest in science. At Edgecomb Eddy School Jan. 15, “Catalyst Corey” performed his energy show for a combined audience of Edgecomb Eddy and Southport Central school students. He used a strand of green beads, a ball-on-a-stick, bicycles and lasers to teach his youthful audience about types of energy.

“Catalyst Corey” and the eight other mad scientists at Mad Science of Maine are all a combination of educators and entertainers. They use comedy, dance and music in combination with  imaginative experiments to educate young audiences about science. The presentation was a hit with the local elementary school audience.  Edgecomb third grader Jackson Zehm  enjoys learning about friction and weather-related topics. He especially enjoyed “Catalyst Corey’s” lesson about potential and kinetic energy.

The lesson began with “Catalyst Corey” explaining how a string of green beads has potential energy. The beads became kinetic energy when he dropped them from a container at an elevated level into a small cup held by an assistant Mad Scientist from the audience.

“I liked how the beads fell out of the pot,” he said. “And I learned there were more energies than I thought there was.”

Edgecomb first grader Ben Hodgdon also found the energy presentation informative. He likes science and enjoyed “Catalyst Corey’s” lesson about elastic energy. “Catalyst Corey” attached a rubber ball to the end of a stick, placed a tube over the stick and bounced the ball. This created elastic energy which caused the tube to fly off the stick. “I liked the one where he dropped the ball and the stick flew off,” Hodgdon said about his favorite experiment. “Today, I learned that energy can be used in very different ways.”

The lesson is as much a performance as it is a scientific experiment. “Catalyst Corey” is the stage name  for Corey Cleary who started working for Mad Science of Maine three years ago. Cleary has both an education and performance background. He and the troop of other mad scientists perform from Kittery to Madawaska and parts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Cleary’s favorite part of his performance or lesson is when he sees a student grasp the concept. “It’s the a-ha moment,” he said. “I get excited when you see them make the connection to what you are demonstrating.”

Adults enjoyed the presentation, too. Edgecomb Eddy Principal Ira Michaud described his teachers as being excited about the mad scientist’s performance. Among the teachers who were the most excited about it was grade 4-6 science teacher Julie Browne. She is currently teaching  a unit about potential and kinetic energy. So “Catalyst Corey’s” demonstration fit nicely into her lesson plan. “It’s really a fun way to present science. You can see how super excited the kids are. And it’s great seeing them so excited about science,” she said.

Mad Science of Maine specializes in school assemblies, in-class workshops, after-school programs, birthday parties and summer and school break camps.