The Lab That Could!
A Perseverance Story
When our world turned sideways three months ago, we talked about the word
perseverance, inspired by a youth from Northern Virginia that chose that name for NASA’s next Mars rover. We didn’t know what lay ahead with the pandemic and hoped we only needed a few months of patience. It’s clear now that we must put true patience to the test, as this will not end quickly.
I’ve always loved the perseverance story of
The Little Engine That Could and often felt the blue engine was a kindred spirit to the Children’s Science Center’s own story: the little science center that could make it up the mountain and deliver so much good to children on the other side. We have climbed a few mountains over the years, and we have persevered. Now is the next chapter in the story. We never dreamed that we would have to change everything about how we deliver our mission to survive. Yet thanks to donors, volunteers, members and our incredibly creative staff, our little science center is persevering. While we have a ways to go, we will not give up.
And we are not alone in this story. We are fast becoming a nation and globe of little blue engines with more than one great mountain to climb. We will all remember and retell stories of this time about overcoming the odds by marshalling the power within each of us to persevere and bring good to humanity. I think my favorite part of the story will be that science won!
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Adalene "Nene" Spivy
Executive Director
Children's Science Center
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Check out our Virtual Camps!
Designed for children in Grades 2-6
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Our virtual camps connect your kids with our STEM Educators and other students online to develop community, participate in group learning, and grow teamwork all the while maintaining physical distance and safety.
- Our camps are specifically designed for children in rising grades 2-6.
- Camps are held in secured Zoom rooms with two or more STEM Educators.
- STEM kits are provided to families for hands-on activities (including slime), group discussion and daily challenges.
- Themes include Science Magic, Under the Sea, Spy Camp, Robotics, and more!
"
Eva loved the camp and said everything was just right. She was eager to participate every day and even raved about the program to her classmates during their virtual show and share."
-- Virtual Camp Parent, Spring 2020
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VA Enters Phase 3 - Lab to Remain Closed
We have expanded our Virtual Programming
Last week Virginia moved into Phase 3 of re-opening. However, the Children's Science Center Lab remains closed.
Virginia’s Phase 3 guidelines for all entertainment, amusement, museum and cultural arts venues prohibit interactive exhibits, require cleaning of all shared objects between each use, and mandate 10 feet of social distance between patrons. Based on these requirements and our commitment to the safety of our staff and guests, we are unable to open our facility at this time.
During phase 3 we will expand delivery of our mission online through the summer and into the upcoming school year with virtual camps, parties and field trips – all facilitated live by our STEM educators. We will also continue to develop experiences for any-time, independent exploration. We are committed to supporting families and educators during this challenging time. Now more than ever, children need fun STEM learning experiences and parents and teachers need partners in education. After the past three months of delivering live virtual programs and overwhelmingly positive feedback, we have proven that our online experiences are fun, engaging, interactive and educational! We are grateful to our supporters who have made our mission possible during these difficult times.
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Community Conversation
A Discussion of the future of hands-on museums
Designed for our STEM Champions like you, these invitation-only online events feature updates from Executive Director Nene Spivy and the Center's Leadership Team, as well a special guest.
For our next
Community Conversation
on July 22, the Center is thrilled and honored to welcome
Laura Lott, President & CEO of the American Alliance of Museums.
Nene and Laura will discuss the challenges cultural institutions are facing during the COVID-19 global pandemic, the future of interactive experiences like science centers and children's museums, and the importance of museums to the cultural fabric of communities.
During this one-hour Zoom call, you will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage with other members of the Center's community.
We hope to "see" on July 22!
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Virtual Animal Encounters
Add some FUN to your online get together
Want to mix up those office zoom calls? Add something unique to your youth group? Our animal ambassador program is now being offered virtually! Your group will enjoy:
- 45 minute close-up and personal virtual experience with two STEM Educators and two animals
- Your choice of animals -- reptiles, aquatic, amphibian and insects
- Introduction of animals with Q&A session
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Try It At Home
Making it Rain
Summer is in full swing and July is one of our hottest months! It’s also a great time to enjoy the afternoon rain showers that bring much needed water for nature. Here’s a fun experiment to examine how rain is formed without getting wet! Most supplies should be easily found at home.
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Volunteer Spotlight
Barbara Spiegel
How did you first learn about the Children's Science Center?
While volunteering for another organization, as an interpreter, I was asked if I would be interested in helping Children´s Science Center translating their documents into Spanish in order to reach the Spanish speaking community amid COVID quarantine. I immediately said yes to them! Since I live nearby, I have seen their Center at the Fair Oaks Mall many times.
Tell us a little bit about yourself: Where are you from, occupation, homelife, etc.
I´m from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I´m married and, due to my husband's job, we moved into the United States 4 years ago. We have two kids, my 14 year-old boy and my 11 year old girl. I studied English Translation at College, then worked as an English Teacher for elementary students and later, as an Executive Assistant for software companies in Buenos Aires. Since we moved here I have worked as a volunteer at my kids' schools and then for Loudoun Cares and Children´s Science Lab. I enjoy reading and painting with watercolors very much. I also love to take photos of this amazing area (DC and surroundings) and share them on my public Instagram
@TuristaEnWashington.
It is my way of staying connected to my friends and family and also sharing the wonders that we have around here, not only with them, but also with whoever wants to enjoy them.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering with the Center?
I love to connect with people and help them connect with what they love! I also found out that I can use my knowledge of the Spanish and English language plus my skills as a Translator to achieve these goals. Help others to access what they want or like in spite of the language they speak. If I can be a means of connecting people with their passion then I have achieved my goal too: to feel useful and helpful.
What scientist do you admire most and why?
I have a great admiration for all those men and women that spend their lives making daily little steps to achieve a great result for the whole world. There is one Argentine Scientist that I admire the most for his humbleness and dedication, his name is Rene Favaloro, best known as the father of
coronary artery bypass surgery.
How can we inspire young people to become interested in science?
My guess is that young people are more aware of the importance of science in our daily life. They already know how our life is impacted by our own daily acts and that we have to take very good care of our environment and our actions towards a better world for us all.
What is one scientific question you would like to see answered in your lifetime?
I have a lot, but given the current circumstances, my big question is: When will there be a COVID vaccine ready for the world to resume a kind of normal life again?
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The Children's Science Center is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.
We could not continue to share our mission virtually without our community of supporters.
Your gifts directly support our mission and programs.
THANK YOU!
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