Testimonials

"I told my son he had to do his science lesson for just fifteen minutes each day, which was such a chore for him.

"One day I gave him this program. Three hours later, he made us late for an appointment because he couldn't tear himself away! He watched the videos over and over and built things I've never seen before. Thank you so much!!!"

~Barbara & Matt
Valencia, California

"Aurora spoke at a Cub Scout Pack 6 meeting a few months ago and totally "wowed" the boys who attended the meeting. It was amazing to hear them talk about her and their sudden interest in science. My husband, David Church, was equally impressed with her skills and presentations."

"First thing they said when they got home that night was, "Sign me up for all her camps, I love that teacher! My son and his buddies raved about you for days."

~Connie Hanretty Church, San Luis Obispo, California

"Thanks for coming to our school and doing a bang-up job on your rocketry presentation!  The students really loved it, had a ton of fun, and learned a lot."

~Jodi, Valley Oaks Charter School, Bakersfield, California 

"We just wanted to say THANK YOU for supercharging us at Valley Oaks Charter School.

"You were awesome and did an outstanding job with the experiments, presentations and putting it in kid friendly terms so they could understand. My kids now want to be rocket scientists!"

~Cynnde Lewis, Bakersfield, California

"We really enjoy your demonstrations. They are wonderful and we really loved the hovercraft you did today. Thank you for all that you are doing."

~Angela and her two youngest sons, Joseph and Kyle

"Jeremy is having SO much fun with everything - thank you all for the work & thought that has gone into the box & program!"

~Tracey Miller

"Thank you so much for coming out to do our science day. It was awesome! I have had parents contacting me all week to thank me for putting both presentations together. Actually you did all the work - thanks for making me look good!

You brought so much energy into our science program. Your presentation is inspiring, not to mention fun! You truly did inspire the young minds to think creatively about science.

Personally, my son Ryan has been doing some pretty creative thinking about his science project for our upcoming science fair. I am sure we will see many 'Aurora-inspired' entries this year!

Thank you again. My appreciation and just plain "awe" for how and what you do just can not be put into words.

Thanks again and again!"

~Lorraine Solomon, Homeschool Coordinator

"My 13-year old son has not been interested in anything educational for a long time. This was the first time I saw a real spark of interest in his eyes. Thank you so much for your help in inspiring my son!"

~Ruth Ann,
Bakersfield, California

"Alex had a great time this summer in camp. Thanks for the great experience!"

~Carol

"Thank you so much, I can't wait to begin using the Science Experiment Manual with my kids. They immediately did the rocket and began the robot.

"My youngest (10 years old) played with the robot all night and was explaining it to guests at dinner. Thanks for making science fun!"

~Mrs. Lopez

"I love it that I don't have to do a thing! I set my kids in front of the program, and later find them excited and working on something new they created themselves. This program is exactly what we needed!"

~Ursula, Santa Barbara, California

"You have been such a fun inspiration for our son Sam, and totally got him fired up to build, connect, explode, invent, test, create, discover, question...
and in a nutshell, get wildly excited about how our physical world behaves through experimentation. Thank you! Thank you! Thank joy!

"You're a blessing and huge contributor to the positive development of our kids' minds and passions. Thanks for all you do and all you are!"

~Jan, San Luis Obispo, California

"Thank you for truly inspiring my kids. They're so excited to learn more. We downloaded the book and are pouring over its contents. Yeah!!!!"

~Donna, Long Beach, California

"Thank you so much for the science lessons! I had such a great time and it is very fun to learn from someone so knowledgeable."

~Sean, age 12

"As a Chemical Engineer I started reading this manual and boy what a joy. You have simplified so much so well. The explanations are great too as they are put in very simple terms. I can't wait to share these with my students. Keep me in mind if you put another of these manuals together."

~Mary, California

"I purchased your Electricity & Robots Kit and my daughter loves it! Thank you!"

~Paula

"My son KJ is having SO much fun!! As soon as we got home he watched the Robots & Electricity Kit video, and has been watching it since. He loves all of the gadgets! Thank you for letting him work with you. He will never forget it."

~Sally, Long Beach, California, CHEA participant

"My son is LOVING the Electricity & Robotics Kit we bought from you, and we've already hit Radio Shack a couple of times to add some new things to try. Thank you!!!"

~Candi

About Aurora

Helping Families Unlock the
Secrets to Learning Science

So who is this science teacher?

Hi! I am Aurora Lipper, and I welcome you to my web site. My company, Supercharged Science, which provides science education to families and educators, evolved as an expression of a value I am committed to in my life and want to offer others: envisioning, empowering, and taking massive action.

I attended Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, California, where I obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering (with a minor in Mathematics and senior project in Rocket Science) in June 1996. While in California, I received an Air Force sponsorship, based on my academic background, to pursue further studies in a Master's program with Edward Air Force Base in Dryden, California. I was also a student pilot and shortly thereafter received my private pilot license.

In June 1997, I completed a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Cal Poly State University, with a thesis in flow patterns of F-15 engines and with 4.0 GPA and was awarded Graduation with Distinction.

The F-15 Project at NASA/Dryden

In Fall 1997, I became one of the youngest instructors in the engineering department at Cal Poly State University, where I taught lectures in Statics, Dynamics, Engineering Systems, and labs in Fluid Mechanics, Vibrations, and Engineering Design.

A student once told me this: "I can get an A in your class, or an A in all my other classes... I choose yours." My classes were filled with textbook problems and formulas, but with each hour-long lecture came a practical application of what students just learned. My Dynamics class went to Magic Mountain for their second exam and analyzed the roller coasters and other rides with accelerometers, height meters, and g-force indicators they crafted themselves.

The point was to get the students out of the classroom and into real life situations. And I am happy to report most my students did stellar on common final exams (if there are ten Dynamics classes taught by three different instructors, the same exam is given to all students).

Building robots by learning to solder circuit boards.

Thinking I was going to teach university classes for the rest of my life, I needed to obtain a PhD. I began doctorate studies at Stanford University in the High Temperature Gas Dynamics Lab (Combustion) and spent my free time at the local children's museum in the San Francisco Bay Area.

After six months, I realized that studying in a dark corner about a subject no one really cared about (Simultaneous Laser Spectroscopy and Schlieren Photography of Hypersonic Combustion Fluid Flow... See? Not all that interesting.) for the next seven years was not the fastest track to making the biggest impact on young minds.

I returned to the university and taught for several years as an instructor while creating my own unique set of physical science lessons. Then I had a radical idea: what if I packaged my university classes into something high school kids could learn? Junior high schools, too. Then it really hit me - get into elementary schools.

Rocket Science in Elementary Schools

Teaching elementary schools about supersonic combustion did not seem like a good idea at first. But after awhile, I realized how much physical science was really needed in all levels of public schools, and was able to create an amazing program that inspired thousands of kids to experiment with science on their own.

I enjoyed some wonderful experiences with kids and parents when I created Camp Kinetic, a summer Science Adventure for 7-12 year olds in my local area. I first planned to offer camp for 48 kids, but soon had to add enough space to accommodate over 200!

I have now taken the opportunity to have a wider range of students as I dedicate my life to educating and inspiring kids and educators through my science experiment products.

Many parents and teachers have learned the teaching strategies needed for self-motivated learning through my intensive workshops and seminars. I share a unique perspective on overcoming the stressful and overwhelming tasks of teaching science in a meaningful and impactful way through my experiences as an instructor, speaker, and rocket scientist.

Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles
Parent-Kid Workshop

Speaking of giving back, the next place to go is the Free Stuff section, or you can continue reading a recent interview about me and my work.

An Interview with a
Successful Rocket Scientist
and Educator - Aurora Lipper

"What traits do you think can help someone succeed at their science experimentation?"

"Determination, resilience, and acuity. Most people give up just before what they are trying to do actually works. Edison tried thousands of times before he got that light bulb to work, and every "failure" was recorded as a success... he knew which elements burned and for how long (or exploded), just in case he'd need it in the future (which he did!).

"As for acuity - know what you are getting. Observe your results carefully. Why did the roller coaster fly off the track? Too fast or too slow? Asking better questions gets better results. Just saying 'It didn't work!' does not get you anywhere."

"How does someone do a great science experiment?"

"I figure there are three basic steps to doing great science experiments: first, figure out what you want to do. Have a clear vision about what you want to test or try out. Second, have a plan for doing it. Design the experiment, map it out so you know what to do. Third: measure your success. Lots of people, scientist or no, skip this vital step.

"Think of yourself as an airplane. Before you leave the ground, you know exactly where you are headed (this is your vision). You made sure you have enough fuel, and you didn't forget your passengers (you mapped out a plan). Did you know an airplane is off-course 95% of the time? The airplane course-corrects to keep it headed in the right direction... it doesn't check once in awhile - it's an ongoing process (measuring success)."

Young Scientists Discover Sewer Slime

"Who would a student contact if they want to do science experiments?"

"One of the most difficult aspects of a science experiment is becoming overwhelmed by the magnitude of variables (things you can vary in each experiment). Another is not knowing where to find materials.

"This site is a great place to get started. By downloading the free resources, you can get weekly science experiment information delivered to you - experiments you can do right now at home with the things you have (or a quick trip to the store). Most experiments require local grocery store items, and the few special things are available locally in cities, online everywhere, and through wholesale catalogues.

"Get in touch with your local college or universities. There is usually someone in the physics or engineering department who either has kids or likes kids, and are willing to help you find new resources for your child. Your local community section in the newspaper can be a resource area as well."

Working Together to Build Skyscrapers

"What do you recommend for a parent with no science skills looking for ways to help their child?"

"Remember that your job is not to know everything. Your job is to play with the kids. This means going to the library together with your child, getting science experiment books, and making time to just be with your child. When they ask you, "What's happening?" when they rub a balloon on their hair and stick it to the wall, you should turn right around and say, "Gosh. I'm not sure. It looks like that balloon just stuck there. Did you glue it?"

"Sign up to download our free science experiments. Get started right now!"

Getting Students Inspired to Learn

"What additional tips would you be willing to offer someone interested in expanding their classroom curriculum?"

"If you truly want to be successful in your science classroom, you can start by creating a vision of what you want. Is it a mad scientist lab with beakers of colored substances constantly burping and bubbling? Is it a student-run interactive robotics lab, where they run it part time as a hands-on museum open to the public? What do you really want to create?

"Get creative by visiting local colleges with your ideas and requests. Put an ad online or in the university paper looking for energetic physics students to help you build an astronomy lab on the roof or design an interactive slime lab that refills itself. Visit the library and fill your card with as many resources as you can. Totally immerse yourself in the process, and you will be amazed and dazzled by the results."

The next step is to go visit the Free Stuff section.