November 2021

STEM Makes the World Merry & Bright The holiday season is upon us! You can see and hear it already. After the past 18 months, we need the joy and wonder of the holidays more than ever. And it will be extra special this year because families, young and old, can gather together more safely. Decades of research and progress have enabled science to deliver this most cherished gift. While it will take time for full recovery, the delivery of highly effective vaccines, therapeutics, rapidly increasing knowledge, and technology-driven strategies are enabling society to manage the pandemic at a revolutionary pace.   Our Science Center team is celebrating with fun, educational holiday experiences for families and children. We will soon launch the annual Winter Wonder Lab experience at the Children’s Science Center Lab for weekend and holiday family timed-entry visits. This season, we are also offering both holiday STEM kits for gift-giving and virtual camps for the school break. Beyond the walls of the Lab, we are working with corporate and community partners to provide in-person, virtual, and kit experiences and ensure that interactive, hands-on STEM learning opportunities reach more children in our community.     Thank you to the generous supporters who make our mission possible every day. This year we celebrate that Science Brings Possibilities for a better world for families, children, and communities across the globe!  Sincerely,

Nene Spivy Executive Director Children's Science Center

Start Your Holiday Shopping! Popular STEM Kits are Back Our popular STEM kits are back just in time for the holidays! With 5 *Cool* experiments, supplies, and instructions, these kits are perfect for the STEM-loving child in your life. Squish, mix, and manipulate two different polymers with Slushy Slime! Create your own bath bomb to keep or give as a gift, fire off snowballs in the DIY Snowball Cannon, and more! Order your kits today and pick them up beginning Saturday, November 26th through January 2nd. Kit pick-up will take place during any of our Lab's timed-entry sessions.

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Donor Spotlight The Neiberline Family

“When we consider the direct benefits that advances in technology and science have for our region and state, the Northern Virginia Science Center’s mission is very easy to get behind and support financially or with your time.”    – Corbin Neiberline You could say that the Neiberline Family has always been “all in” on the Science Center! They have supported the Children’s Science Center since its opening in 2015. We fondly remember the Neiberline Family’s contribution to opening the Lab, when the children hand-painted wall tiles that are still on display at Fair Oaks Mall. “Every time we visit the Mall, we have to stop by and proudly point out the tiles,” Corbin Neiberline said. “Over the years, it has also been fun to get to know the Lab employees and see how they make a personal connection and inspire the children. It’s a very unique experience.” After supporting the Lab’s opening, the Neiberline Family continued their strong relationship with the Children’s Science Center. They have been Lab Members since 2015 and are now Founders Society donors. Corbin has also generously volunteered his time and talent on the Board of Directors since 2016. Beyond supporting the organization and serving on the Board, the Neiberline Family is also dedicated to delivering the Children’s Science Center’s mission. Amy Neiberline has volunteered in the Lab and played a significant role in promoting our Family Science Night program in her family's community. The Neiberline children have attended numerous summer camps, and the family has enjoyed many hours of learning at the Lab. The Neiberlines truly recognize the profound impact [the Science Center] has on the community and the workforce in our region. They have been moved to donate to the cause because "the Northern Virginia Science Center’s mission inspires the whole community and activates the region to get involved with hands-on learning.” STEM Champions like the Neiberline Family are essential to helping the Science Center meet our mission today and move forward with our vision for tomorrow. We are truly grateful for their tremendous support!

For the Girls in Your World AWS Girls' Tech Day Calling all girls and young women, ages 8-24, that are interested in technology and careers in STEAM! Join Amazon Web Services at AWS Girls' Tech Day 2021. Kicking off on Saturday, November 13, AWS is offering a space-themed program where participants can explore activities such as coding, robotics, cloud computing & more! Register Today!

Try It At Home Pumpkin Slime

Still have your pumpkin on your porch from Halloween? Don't throw it out until you've checked out this slimy experiment that your kids will love. This activity uses the insides of the pumpkin, including the seeds, and includes tips for making your slime extra spooky. With just a few household items, you can turn your pumpkin into an engaging afternoon activity for your child!

Try it At Home!

The Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation 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!