Since opening in The Woodlands nearly 3 1/2 years ago, Nutty Scientists of Houston has brought fun and educational science programs and activities to children in the area.


Owner Victoria Lioznyanksy said The Woodlands location is one of the first franchise locations in the U.S., since the company first started in Europe. Lioznyanksy first began by bringing Nutty Scientists to local schools in the The Woodlands and surrounding area through after-school programs. The business then opened a physical location for birthday parties and camps in October.


“My background is in entrepreneurship and information technology,” Lioznyansky said. “I always wanted to go back to owning my own business. My last job was with the Harris County Department of Education. I did software development for the department, but I also got exposed to the education part. I have kids and I thought that [education] was right down my alley.”


Lioznyansky said the physical location of Nutty Scientists, located on McBeth Way, is now used for birthday parties, summer camps, Girl Scout meetings, and home-school and after-school classes.


“It’s our hub for The Woodlands and surrounding areas,” she said. “During the school year, we still go to schools and do after-school programs. We are pretty much in all private schools in The Woodlands as well as Aldine ISD, Klein ISD and Magnolia ISD.”


Aside from offering after-school programs during the school year, the summer season is also a busy time for Nutty Scientists. Lioznyansky said science camps and science shows take place in the summer and have proven to be popular with children.


Lioznyansky said summer camp is offered in June, July and August, and each camp has a different theme, such as “Nutty Science Wars” and ‘Winter Wonderland.”


“We have summer camps that talk about science in a fun way,” Lioznyansky said. “It’s not about competing with the schools, it’s about complementing schools. It’s giving kids practical knowledge.”


Lioznyansky said the summer camps are for children ages 5 through 11, and birthday parties are for children ages 3 through 12. There are 12 birthday party options from which to choose, including “Nutty Superheroes” and “Mission to Space.”


“I think having this facility in The Woodlands helps us bring science directly to the kids,” Lioznyansky said. “We wanted to bring another offering for birthday parties. Hundreds of places here do that, but we’re very unique. Kids aren’t just entertained, they are educated at the same time.”


Although Nutty Scientists provides after-school programs for schools in Klein, Aldine and Magnolia ISDs, Lioznyansky said she still hopes to expand to Conroe ISD schools in the future. CISD students can still experience Nutty Scientists programs through summer camps, science shows and birthday parties.


“We’ve seen a really great response from the community and those who come to our programs,” she said. “They want to come back for more. It’s a great response, but we still want to spread the word. Our after-school classes are very hands-on and interactive in all areas of science.”


Upcoming events at Nutty Scientists, such as Parents Night Out and summer camps, will continue throughout the summer. Lioznyansky also said while The Woodlands will only have one Nutty Scientists location, there are plans to open a new location in the surrounding area.


“Our Parents Night Out event is also unique since we try to incorporate science while kids are entertained,” Lioznyansky said.  “We’re not going to open up another location in The Woodlands, but we’re looking at other locations around Houston, possibly the Kingwood area.”