Blog April 2021
Message from our Executive Director - The Lab is re-opening!
Spring seems extra beautiful and bright this year as the world begins to emerge from a long hibernation of remote and distanced socializing, working and learning. At the Lab, the team is eagerly awaiting the sound of children laughing and the wind tunnel humming! We look forward to resuming in-person programming in June while continuing to offer virtual programs to meet a broad range of needs across the community.
Welcoming our first visitors back to the Lab will be a joyful yet careful process. We are designing a new format for our programs at the Lab that allow plenty of room to spread out and enjoy hands-on learning without crowding. This summer, the entire Lab will be dedicated to summer campers Monday through Friday. On weekends, we will offer timed-entry sessions for families to enjoy the Lab together with limited capacity. In addition, we will continue to take "Science on the Go" programs across the region. Be sure and check with the website for specific details.
On Thursday, May 20 at 5pm, we will be hosting "Celebrating Science, a Launch the Future Watch Party!" and you're all invited! We have so much to be excited about. It will be a fantastic virtual celebration featuring children, youth, educators, business and community leaders - plus our big reveal of the future science center's architectural design, new name and branding!
Please save the date and look for more details here.
Nene Spivy (4/14/2021)
When will there be more Volunteer Opportunities Available?
Even though the Lab is planning to re-open in June (see Nene's message above as well as updates posted on the website), due to space limitations and the continuing pandemic, we are still unable to offer any volunteer opportunities at this time.
When available, opportunities will be shared through the volunteer portal, in blast emails and future blogs. We hope to have some more news about volunteer shifts over the coming months and look forward to seeing you safely in person.
We appreciate your interest in supporting our mission to inspire a love of learning STEM by providing unique opportunities to explore and create. Do not hesitate to contact volunteer@childsci.org if you have any questions.
Virtual Camp Summer 2021 Internship Opportunities
This fun opportunity is for anyone 16 years or older who is looking to earn qualifying academic credit or volunteer service hours. Applications are being accepted for our Virtual Summer STEM Camp Internship. See website for details: link
Note: Application Deadline - COB 4/30/2021
Volunteer Highlight - The Youth Advisory Board (YAB)
Volunteer. Lead. Collaborate.
The Youth Advisory Board is a team of innovative, entrepreneurial and passionate high school students from Fairfax and Loudoun Counties. They work to forward the Children's Science Center's mission and vision through volunteerism, leadership and collaboration. This month we will introduce you to 4 members representing Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ) and our homeschool communities. All are currently in 11th grade.
Shreyas Chennamaraja is in 11th grade at TJ. He enjoys studying computer science and admires Nikola Tesla, because he was a master of mechanical and electrical engineering. Furthermore, Nikola was a visionary, who always looked to what the future holds in terms of the applications of his inventions. He would like to know if time travel is not only theoretically, but practically possible.
Sahil Gupta is in 11th grade at TJ who enjoys learning about medicine and chemistry. The scientist he admires the most is Karl Schwarzschild, a pioneer who was the first to discover the origin of black holes. He provided the first modern solution to Albert Einstein's equations proposed in his theory of general relativity, which greatly contributed to the advancement of astronomy and the understanding of our universe. He would like to know if there is another planet where life exists. He has always been fascinated with what goes on beyond our solar system, as the many mysteries and potential discoveries that lie in the depths of space are endless. Due to how little we know about the universe, the idea that there are other life forms out there isn't totally impossible - we just haven't found them yet!
Dermot Molony, in 11th grade at TJ, who enjoys studying computer science. He admires Alan Stern, as he serves as an example for how there is still so much to be learned about science and our universe. His pioneering work with New Horizons shows how much humanity can do when it works together and the possibilities of STEM. Dermot met him several years ago and talking to Alan Stern gave Dermot so much respect for him. In his lifetime, Dermot would like society to be able to take its first steps in setting up habitation on a planet other than Earth so we can find out if leaving Earth really is feasible.
Caroline Ormond is a homeschool student who enjoys learning about chemistry and medicine. She admires the scientist Louis Pasteur, because he used science to help improve the lives of people around him. In her lifetime, Caroline would like to know if it is possible to go faster than the speed of light.
See previous blogs to learn about these members.
