‌	February 2020

From the Executive Director The Greatest Love Each February, the Children’s Science Center team dedicates our efforts to thanking our most precious resource – our volunteers! From the earliest days of our organization through today, volunteers are at the heart of our mission. For many years we were an all-volunteer organization, and even today many of our staff started working with us as volunteers.  Last year, over 750 generous individuals offered their time to help us meet our mission of inspiring a love of learning in STEM. They truly made our mission possible and helped us serve 77,000 people in 2019 at the Lab and in community programs delivered across the region. Our volunteers include teenagers, working professionals from all industries, retirees, and even a handful of elementary school aged children who serve as youth ambassadors. We love each and every one of our volunteers. And we love seeing it come full circle as our volunteers witness the joy of learning in the children we serve and in doing so become more connected to community!  In gratitude, Nene Adelene "Nene" Spivy Executive Director

Calling All Volunteers No experience needed! Our volunteers are the foundation on which Children’s Science Center has been built. You don’t need a math or science background or any specific experience to help out; you just need a lot of enthusiasm and a little bit of time. It is a great way to get involved and have fun! Our corps of volunteers has done everything from staff our community programs to write for the newsletter and much more. We welcome and appreciate any help and any amount of time you can offer. Every year, hundreds of people volunteer with us! We offer a variety of opportunities for children, teens, adults and groups depending on your interests and availability. Corporate volunteers welcome also! Volunteer in the Lab, in the Community, or behind the scenes, we would love your help! Get started today by visiting our website!

New at the Bar! Inflatable Colors February brings Inflatable Colors to the Experiment Bar! Experiment with pH indicators and chemical reactions to inflate a bag. Watch as the colors change right before your eyes! Also, last week of DIY Snow and the Winter Wonder Lab! Check out the calendar of events for information on what's happening at the Lab all month long including our Critter Chitter Chatter and Budding programs that take place in the Lab on a regular basis. View Calendar

Special Hours: Monday, February 17 - President's Day; Lab open 10am - 6pm Sunday, February 23 - Lab closing at 3 pm for Volunteer Celebration Tuesday, February 25 - Lab will be closed for Staff Development 

Volunteer Spotlight Randy Jones How did you first learn about the Children's Science Center? I found out about it through my cousin, Kara Jonach, who works there. Tell us a little bit about yourself: Where are you from, occupation, homelife, etc. I am originally from Ohio. I have a bachelor’s degree in biology. As a kid I grew up with snakes, lizards, fish, and one grumpy tortoise. These were my mother’s pets and it was my mother’s passion for animals that got me into biology. What do you enjoy most about volunteering at the Lab? I enjoy the animal encounter the most. Seeing the excitement in our guests eyes is something hard to find elsewhere. One twenty minute encounter could be the start of a lifetime of passion and curiosity for our visitors for the natural world. It is very important to get the next generation excited about science. I am happy to be part of a team that ensures that happens. What scientist do you admire most and why ? Richard Losick. He might not be a well know scientist for the general science community, but he is a rock star in the microbiology field. Despite the fact that he has been studying bacteria longer than I have been alive. He is still able to summon a great deal of energy and passion when he talks about his craft. That is what I admire most about him. You can just tell from listening to him talk, that he cares greatly about his work. How can we inspire young people to become interested in science? Rule number one - speak with passion. If it sounds like you don’t care what you are talking about, why should they? What is one scientific question you would like to see answered in your lifetime? What is the exact order in how the three domains diverged and developed? We have a rough outline, but still a long way to go before we can concretely answer this important question about our ancestry. Learn more about volunteering with the Children's Science Center by visiting our website!

Try it Home! It's so Cold, it's hot! Chilly and rainy days are synonymous with February around here recently, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun indoors while experimenting with creating your own icy towers that give off heat! Create a frozen landscape that is warm to the touch, while exploring solutions and crystallization. Be sure to wash your hands after playing with the materials and have fun!

The Children's Science Center is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and your gifts directly support our mission and programs.