August 2022
Best Back to School Year Yet!

It’s starting to feel like the good old days as we eagerly anticipate a wonderful new school year. After a long pandemic drought, followed by a very busy spring of fully booked school programs, our science center team is excited to kick off one of the best years in recent memory. Last week we launched our full suite of school program offerings and opened reservations for the 2022-2023 year. In addition to field trips to the Lab, we are resuming programs delivered directly to schools including our popular Science on Stage assembly program, a new Science Enrichment Program, and the long-loved Family Science Night Program (already fully booked via spring lottery). 

We are especially excited to be serving over 40 schools with scholarship-based programs this upcoming school year, resuming our pre-pandemic level of support. We continue to make progress on the plans for the future Northern Virginia Science Center, which will provide even greater capacity to serve the many schools and students in need of enriching STEM learning experiences across our region.

Fall is for families too! We have planned timed entry sessions at the Lab for weekends and school holidays that provide great opportunities for family learning and fun together.

Here’s to a great school year ahead!
Sincerely,
Nene Spivy
Executive Director
3..2..1...Blast Off!
James Webb Space Telescope Weekend Out of This World!
James Webb Space Telescope Weekend was out of this world! In this one-weekend-only event, families were able to make their own intergalactic goo at the experiment bar and create their own constellations at the Tinker Shop. In the Garage, they learned how to pack a paper model of the JWST, currently the largest optical space telescope in space.

Although the event is over, families are still able to visit the Lab to try the Constellation Viewer activity in the Tinker Shop every weekend throughout August!
To stay updated about future special events, follow the website and/or Children’s Science Center Lab social pages.
We're Open Labor Day!
September 5 • Timed Entries
The Lab will be open on Labor Day!
Visit during either timed entries at 10 am or 2 pm for a day of fun-filled science activities.
Become a Citizen Scientist This Summer!
Globe at Night
Turn your backyard into an observation center! Join the Globe at Night international campaign and learn about the impact of light pollution. Measure the night sky brightness (from any location) and submit your observation to add to over 200,000 measurements from 18 countries! Visit globeatnight.org to explore 14 years of data on the interactive data map as well as learn how to record and submit your measurements. 

Join in the fun before summer is over!

Coming Next Month
Kid's Night Out - In Space!
September 16 • 6-8 pm
It's Kids Night Out – In Space! This is a fun-filled night to make new friends who share a love of science! Your kids will have the opportunity to create their own nebula, go on a moon adventure, and create a Mars rover for an out-of-this-world experience. Kids are also encouraged to wear their favorite space-themed outfits!

This is a drop-off event and snacks will
be served.

Your must pre-register to attend, purchase now before spots fill up!
We're Hiring!
Join our Team

Do you want to join a collaborative, fun team? Do you like working with children?

We are hiring part-time STEM Educators for weekdays from 9 am to 1 pm. If you have completed science studies at high school or college level with a college degree in progress or completed, visit our website for more information and apply today!
Email your cover letter and resumé to jobs@childsci.org.@childsci.org.
Donor Spotlight
The Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation is pleased to announce that CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI) has joined the Launch the Future Campaign as a title partner and gallery sponsor for the future Northern Virginia Science Center. With this legacy gift, CACI is sponsoring the “Human” exhibition gallery. This interactive regional science center constructed on donated property in Dulles, VA, will serve families, students, and learners of all ages, providing a place of discovery, innovation and fun that invites guests to look at the world through the lens of science. Learn more at novasci.org
 
CACI is a longstanding champion of the Science Center. Most notably, through their partnership as a Premier Annual Corporate Partner in 2020, CACI enabled virtual programming for more than 30 Title I schools, helping the Science Center deliver its mission virtually throughout the pandemic. In 2021, CACI continued their support for hands-on STEM learning and provided a match challenge for the Science Brings Possibilities campaign in December of 2021, helping the Science Center raise over $65k total to support STEM programming in the coming year.
 
The Foundation is excited to grow its partnership with CACI International Inc and welcomes them to the Northern Virginia Science Center project.
Try It At Home!
Salt Crystal Garden

Do you ever wonder how crystals grow? Crystals are a type of material that is formed by patterns of repeating molecules that appear to have flat surfaces. Learn the science behind this beautiful material in this experiment.

Grow crystals right at home with these simple ingredients!
The Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates the Children's Science Center Lab at Fair Oaks Mall and STEM programs traveling to schools and other community venues across the region.
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