About Science Club Hudson Valley
Science Club Hudson Valley was founded in 2023 out of friendship, community, and a passion for sparking curiosity in young children. When my neighbor Laura was on maternity leave from her teaching job as a science teacher, we collaborated on Baby Science. We hosted our first classes at Norma’s in Wappingers Falls (Thanks Crystal & Denise!:) When Laura returned to the classroom, I carried the club forward, building on the joyful foundation we created.
The inspiration for Baby Science comes from my own kids and the playgroups I treasured while raising them in Brooklyn and Queens. Those groups were simple, warm, and rooted in connection—kids learning through play while parents built community. I wanted to bring that same energy here in the Hudson Valley, but with a focus on science, stories, and sensory exploration.
Books are an essential part of Science Club. Each session begins with story time, where we read picture books that relate to our weekly theme. From sparking imagination to building early literacy skills, books set the stage for experiments, play, and conversation. They help children see science not just as something to do, but as something woven into the stories they love. I also share themed book suggestions on Instagram, so families can check them out at their local library and continue the learning at home.
Running Science Club while working full-time is certainly a juggle, but every class reminds me why it matters. Watching toddlers’ eyes light up when they discover something new, or hearing them ask a question that leads us down a rabbit hole of exploration, makes it all worth it. For me, it’s not just about science—it’s about curiosity, creativity, and community.
Our Mission
At Science Club Hudson Valley, we spark curiosity in little ones through hands-on science, stories, and sensory play. Inspired by the warmth of classic playgroups and rooted in community, our classes invite babies, toddlers and caregivers to explore, connect, and learn together.
About Ms. Jem
Jemile—Ms. Jem to the little ones—is a Gen X Brooklyn-born mama of three whose parenting journey spans more than three decades. With children aged 31, 23, and almost 10, she has experienced raising kids across the 1990s, Y2K, and 2010s—each decade bringing its own joys, challenges, and discoveries.
Her roots in Food Studies and community work blend seamlessly with her role as co-founder of Baby Science Club, where she creates joyful, hands-on experiences for little ones ages 0–4. Through storytime, sensory play, and simple experiments, she invites toddlers and their caregivers to explore the world with curiosity—channeling the same wonder she has nurtured in her own children over the years.
Her love of teaching and creating grew out of her own childhood in Brooklyn, spent working long hours in her family’s pizzeria and surrounded by a lively crew of cousins. Play and imagination were constant companions, fueled by the magic of Mister Rogers, Pee-wee’s Playhouse, The Magic Garden, Rainbow Brite, Electric Company, Punky Brewster, and Sesame Street. Those early influences sparked a lifelong belief that learning is everywhere—and that creativity thrives when community comes together.
Today, Jemile is the CEO of Luna Rose Consulting, an SEO and Marketing business she built to help companies to grow so they shine online, and the artist behind Art by Jem, where she explores collage and mixed media.. As co-founder of Baby Science Club, she brings all these threads together—pairing her Food Studies degree with her love of play and storytelling to create joyful, hands-on science experiences for little ones and their caregivers.