The most exciting part of science has always been experimentation, and yet that’s usually what’s out of reach for children in classrooms. They learn formulas, memorize facts, and complete assignments. But they almost never get the opportunity to engage with it hands-on.
Entrepreneur and science educator Cautney Tatiana Nelson has decided to change this through The Fun Laboratory.
After creating The Drunken Laboratory, an adult science entertainment experience that combines experiments with live entertainment, Nelson expanded the concept for younger audiences through The Fun Laboratory. Now, with the official grand opening of its Houston location and the launch of STEM Summer Camp 2026, the company is entering an exciting new chapter.
The timing could not be better. Across the country, educators continue to emphasize hands-on STEM learning because active participation helps students engage more deeply with science and technology concepts. Many leading STEM camps have moved toward project-based activities and experimentation rather than lecture-focused instruction.
The Fun Laboratory elevates the idea. Instead of asking children to sit and watch, it invites them to become scientists from the moment they walk through the door.
The Fun Laboratory Turns Science Into an Experience
Kids learn science by doing science.
At the Fun Lab, visitors participate in interactive experiments that bubble, fizz, and explode. They create their own slime projects and wear lab coats, gloves, and goggles. The experience includes interactive science experiments, DIY slime creation, science-themed activities, live DJ entertainment, unlimited mocktails, and popcorn for family visits, school trips, and birthday events.
The atmosphere feels different from a traditional science center. Children are encouraged to touch, test, build, and discover. The Fun Laboratory wants children to associate science with excitement, curiosity, and creativity.
STEM Summer Camp 2027 Expands the Mission
The Fun Laboratory is also promoting its upcoming STEM Summer Camp 2027, which will take place from July 27 through July 31.
Designed for children ages 7 to 9, the camp combines science, art, technology, and engineering activities into a single week of hands-on learning.
Hours: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Price: $500
Included:
- Lunch
- All materials
- Science projects
- Art activities
- Technology lessons
Scholarships are available because Nelson believes every child deserves access to science education regardless of financial circumstances.
Many families face challenges when searching for quality STEM programs. Summer STEM camps across the country can vary significantly in price and accessibility. Many focus on coding, robotics, engineering, or laboratory science.
The Fun Laboratory solves this by combining several disciplines into one experience.
Why Hands-On Learning Matters
Something is changing in STEM education.
Research and educational programs increasingly emphasize active learning because students often retain concepts better when they participate directly in projects and experiments. Leading STEM programs are transitioning towards using building challenges, laboratory activities, and creative problem-solving exercises to help students connect ideas with practical application.
Which is why, at The Fun Laboratory, each day introduces a different mix of activities.
Students conduct experiments using real scientific equipment. They engage in artistic activities that encourage the interconnection between creativity and scientific thinking. They learn about technology and engineering concepts that suit their age.
The outcome is an all-around curriculum that sparks interest across multiple areas.
An art lover can explore the world of science in creative ways. A budding engineer can start engaging with design problems. A technophile can be exposed to the basics of digital concepts.
The summer camp seeks to demonstrate that STEM disciplines are not independent of one another.
Building the Next Generation of Curious Thinkers
The Fun Laboratory is the progression of Nelson’s ideology that people need to participate in science, not just observe it.
With The Fun Laboratory, children are invited to conduct experiments, pose questions, and learn through fun activities. With STEM Summer Camp 2026, this becomes even more pronounced, turning the one-day experience into a week-long adventure.
The experience is contributing towards creating places where learning science can be enjoyable and stimulating.
For many children, this might be the first bubbling reaction, engineering problem, or technology activity that opens up a whole new world for them.
This is precisely what The Fun Laboratory aims to do.