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From the Executive Director
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A Watershed Moment
Nearly 15 years ago, our non-profit organization was formed with the goal of providing a much-needed educational resource to the community, with Northern Virginia being the largest metro area in the US without a children's museum or interactive science center. The vision was to create a full-scale museum to inspire our over half million children here and those beyond. We are grateful for the thousands of people that joined the cause over the years, including volunteers and donors of all ages as well as influential leaders from across the DMV and the Commonwealth of Virginia. With their help we started a Museum Without Walls, opened the Children's Science Center Lab, and envisioned an innovative science center for curious minds of all ages. All of these efforts laid the groundwork for this moment.
Today we are announcing a transformative public-private partnership that will make this vision a reality and fundamentally change the educational landscape in our region. While there is much work ahead, today we are celebrating a huge win for children, families, schools and citizens of all ages. See today's announcement here. To learn more and get involved, please attend an Inspiration Tour.
Executive Director
Children's Science Center
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What's Happening at the Lab
New this month!
This month, learn about the science
behind Chromatography in this colorful experiment. Hidden Color Chemistry allows kids to understand that even though our eyes might see one color, the object could be comprised of several different colors.
Check out the
calendar of events
for information on what's happening at the Lab all month long!
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Superhero Family Night!
Fun for the whole family
Join us for a night of SUPER STEM Family Fun!
Saturday, March 9
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Come dressed as your favorite superhero and join us for an evening of superhero science! In addition to exploring the Lab, there will be several super powerful activities d
esigned for Superhero fans of all ages.
All participants will be entered in a drawing to win a family 4-pack of tickets to the Marvel Universe LIVE! show at Eagle Bank Arena, March 22 through the 31st. See the epic battle between Marvel's greatest Super Heroes and Villains!
Prizes also awarded for best costume and family-themed costumes.
Winner must be present at the time of the drawing to claim the prize.
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Critter Chitter Chatter
New Series of Programs
Come and learn more about the creatures we have around the Lab. Our Animal Husbandry team have now started offering 30 minute talks twice a week.
Seahorse Science Tales
Every Friday at 4pm
Fish Feeding Frenzy
Every Saturday at 2pm
These engaging, interactive talks, and sometimes touch, offer insight into the animals, their habitats, and their feeding cycle. More to come, so keep an eye on the calendar for new and updated programming.
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Make Summer Plans Now
The Early Bird Gets First Choice and Saves
Planning your spring break or made any summer plans? Be sure to include the Children's Science Center Lab!
Summer camps run from June 17 through August 23. Single day camps include both Spring Break (April 15 - 19) and July 1-3 & 5. There is no camp offered on July 4th.
Campers will spend the day alongside our STEM Educators exploring a variety of content, building their knowledge of key science concepts, all the while having fun and making new friends!
Register before March 1, and receive $25 off a week-long camp. Use promo code:
EARLYCAMP
at checkout.
We look forward to seeing your camper! Feel free to email us with any questions.
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We Love Our Volunteers
Volunteer Celebration Event
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Executive Director Nene Spivy with Copper Level Award Winners, Anika Potluri,
Sheila Iyer, Sneha Iyer, Michael Josephson, Kathy Schmitt and Board Chair, Jill McNabb |
Last month, we had the honor of celebrating our 800+ volunteers of 2018! Children's Science Center volunteers are comprised of a variety of people across several areas including corporations, board members, parents and students.
Special recognition was given to different levels of service as listed:
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COPPER Award:
Sierra Baker
Justin Casotti
Juila Chen
Julia Drennan
Alexis Echano
Astri Fikri
Daniel Huffman
Sneha Iyer
Sheila Iyer
Michael Josephson
Jina Kim
Sabrina Lesser
Kathleen Li
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Kammie Lin
Olivia Lyall
Minahil Malik
Emily Marshalll
Mahesh Menon
Aika Okshige
Anika Potluri
Narendra Potluri
Srvarshini Prabhu
Mridini Ramachandar
Kathy Schmitt
Jaisimar Singh
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SILVER Award:
Citiana Ali
Claire Bonadio
Enoch Cho
Tameem Kopti
Neha Kosaraju
Aalliya Merchant
ThaoMi Nguyen
Katherine Pommerening
Megha Raavicharla
Daphne Sheffield
Cassidy Trinh
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GOLD Award:
Emily Marshall
Christine Wauls
Jeff Thomas
Mark Murphy
PLATINUM Award:
Natalia Barrera
NWFCU
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EMERITUS Award:
United Bank
Sue Fajer
Christian Heckel
Paula MacDonald
Brian Snodgrass
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If you're interested in volunteering with the Children's Science Center, please visit our
website for more information.
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Youth Advisory Board Accepting Applications
Apply now for Fall 2019
The Children's Science Center's Youth Advisory Board is comprised of students representing high schools in various counties within the region who serve two-year terms beginning in August of each year. This dynamic group meets monthly to determine how they can contribute to the Children's Science Center's goals through their leadership, volunteerism, and programs. In addition to creating programs for the LAB, members volunteer at Children's Science Center community events such as the STEM Symposium, USA Science and Engineering Festival, and GMU Maker Faire, as well as at the LAB at Fair Oaks Mall.
Local high school students interested in applying to become a member of the Youth Advisory Board for the two-year term starting August, 2019 should email
Nathan Chow. Applications are due by April 30, 2019.
Summer Camp Seeking Interns
The Children's Science Center Lab is looking for
Summer Camp Interns to support our week-long Summer Break Camps at the Lab! This fun opportunity is for those who are looking to earn qualifying academic credit or volunteer service hours. Anyone 16+ years may apply.
Lab Summer Interns Wanted
Work alongside STEM Educators
The
LAB Summer Intern will report to the Manager on duty and work in the Children's Science Center Lab as a STEM Educator. The Intern will work alongside LAB Staff interacting with visitors, facilitating experiments, and leading groups and individuals through explorations of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. A research project for possible implementation at the LAB is required. Anyone 16+ years may apply.
Learn more about our summer internships and how to apply by visiting our
website.
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Volunteer Spotlight
How did you first learn about the Children's Science Center? I learned about the Children's Science Center through Dr. Croft who is on the STEM Advisory Council for the Children's Science Center. I applied for a summer camp internship and then began volunteering with Latina Sci Girls and Family Science Nights shortly after.
Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I am a student at Fauquier High School in Warrenton, VA and am currently an intern at the Fauquier County School Board for the Department of Science. My passion for science allowed me to be the founder of two (Girls Excelling in Math and Science) clubs for elementary schools and a frequent volunteer with programs at the Lab such as Latina Sci Girls, Family Science Nights, and Summer Camps. My plans for next year include going to George Mason University and majoring in Neuroscience.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering with the Center? I enjoy working with members of the community to bring awareness to STEM education. I am an advocate for equity in the classroom and the Children's Science Center gives me many opportunities to introduce underrepresented groups of people to STEM.
What scientist do you admire most and why?
I admire the environmental scientist Rachel Carson. She was the author of "Silent Spring" and warned many people about the dangers of pesticides and the negative ways it can affect communities. Her work sparked conversations about how humans should positively impact the environment.
How can we inspire young people to become interested in science?
Science is in everything we do and by introducing concepts of exploration, science can become more appealing. Informal education and student clubs that promote STEM are some of the best ways students can become interested in science. A classroom can be intimidating and can diminish a students confidence in a subject they find interesting. Building STEM confidence inside and outside the classroom can approve attitudes to STEM. Students are creative and exploring is in their nature.They just need the opportunity to make it happen!
What is one scientific question you would like to see answered in your lifetime?
I would like to know why we dream.There are many theories such as maybe we are restoring memories in our brains, or dreams are our subconscious thoughts. From a neurological standpoint, no one is sure what the benefits of dreaming are for our brain. I plan to research this question throughout my degree and who knows maybe I will find an answer!
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Try It At Home:
The Science of Butter
This month, we're celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday and St Patrick's Day! So let's mix the two and make butter like in the Butter Battle Book
and add to your Irish soda bread!
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The Children's Science Center is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and your gifts directly support our mission and programs.
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