OCTOBER 2026

Purpose Powered by People

As a non-profit, we love thanking people like our wonderful donors and volunteers, as well as showing appreciation for the families, schools, educators, and youth we serve. Yet there is another amazing group of people that deserves so much gratitude. This month, I’m shining a light on the people that power our mission, day in and day out: the educators making STEM accessible at the Lab and in the community, and the professionals working just as hard behind the scenes.

Our staff put so much heart into their work—it is truly extraordinary! Whether it is coming up with the most creative way to share community impact or a new program, designing curriculum that leans into failure as an essential part of the scientific method and engineering design process, advocating for transit to make it easier to reach the science center, or the essential work of keeping our finances, spaces, databases, and systems in order, they consistently give it their all. I am the lucky person that gets to witness the countless ways our staff lift up our mission each day...and it is a beautiful view.

Adalene "Nene" Spivy

Chief Executive Officer

Haunted Lab is Here!

October 1 - November 3

Celebrate Halloween all month long at the Lab with not-too-spooky decorations and seasonal STEM fun! Hunt for glowing creatures hidden throughout the Lab using UV flashlights, harness the power of physics to launch toy spiders onto a giant web, and team up with your family and friends to play haunting tunes on the one-of-a-kind Spooky Slime Piano.

All children in costume receive a prize! 🎁

Check our website for available tickets.

What's Happening at the Lab?

FAMILY COSTUME PARTY!

Saturday, October 17th • 5-7pm

Put on your Halloween costume for an evening of spook-tacular science fun! Show off your creativity in the costume contest (prizes for the winners!), check out an action-packed chemistry demo, stir up color changing potions, and create your own custom "Franken-toys" with a 3-D pen!

Member perk: $5 off each ticket!

OPEN FOR SCHOOL HOLIDAYS!

Monday 10/12, Mon-Tues 11/2 & 11/3



In addition to the weekends, the Lab is also open on school holidays! If you're looking for something fun AND educational to do with your family, look no further.

Plus, we're keeping the Haunted Lab up through November 3: don't forget to wear your costume to receive a prize!

Mission Moments

GRANDPARENTS' DAY

Sunday September 13th featured free admission to the Lab for all grandparents, and it was so special to see all the families exploring STEM together! Thank you to all the grandparents, grandkids, and families who made this day special.

ASTRO ADVENTURES WITH THE YAB

The Youth Advisory Board took the lead on September 26th to share their latest Passion Project. Guests made nebula spin art, created their own constellations, solved a telescope packing puzzle, and even programmed a rover!

Volunteer Spotlight: Isha S.

Isha has volunteered over 140 hours with the Lab since she started 3 years ago! She has supported general admissions and special events, and is an active member of the Lab's Youth Advisory Board.

How did you first learn about the Children's Science Center Lab?

I first visited the Lab as a guest around 5 years old, and have been involved in various ways ever since! I first volunteered on a teen-parent team starting at age 13 and have been a part of the Youth Advisory Board for three years.



Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I am a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, and I am from Fairfax, Virginia. I like to read, and play both field hockey and tennis!

What do you enjoy most about volunteering with the Science Center?

I love watching children enjoy the same activities I did when I first visited the lab around 11 years ago! I also enjoy the Youth Advisory Board’s outreach events, such as STEM For A last year, and Curiosity Club this year.

What scientist do you admire most and why?

I admire Dr. Sylvia Earle the most, because of her critical role in marine conservation, through documentaries, books, and her own research.

How can we inspire young people to become interested in science?

By applying scientific concepts in real world scenarios! This helps them realize that science is not limited to adults working in laboratories or conducting research: it is a subject applicable to them in their everyday lives.

What is one scientific question you would like to see answered in your lifetime?

How many species are left undiscovered in our oceans, and what are they?

Try It at Home!

CRYSTAL PUMPKINS 🎃

Autumn is here, which means falling leaves, cooler temperatures and of course, pumpkins! Try this fun experiment to grow your own pumpkin-shaped crystals, as you learn about a chemistry concept called "saturated solutions".

Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation | 703-648-3130

info@childsci.org | info@novasci.org

Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates the Children's Science Lab at Fair Oaks Mall and STEM programs traveling to schools and other community venues across the region. The Foundation is also developing the Northern Virginia Science Center in Dulles, VA, a world-class, interactive regional science center for families, students, and learners of all ages made possible through a pivotal public-private partnership. Learn more about our mission today at childsci.org and our vision for the future at novasci.org.

Children's Science Center Lab

Visit childsci.org for hours of operation.