Museum Description :The Children’s Science Center began life as the Children’s Museum of Northern Virginia in 2004 when a Richmond children’s museum educator noted the lack of a child-focused museum in the region. Northern Virginia was the only metropolitan region in the state, and nation, without one, but not for long. The women’s volunteer organization, Junior League of Northern Virginia, chose the museum as their signature project in 2006. The organization’s contributions were essential to the early success of the Center. They raised over $250,000 .. View More >>
Museum Description :The Children’s Science Center began life as the Children’s Museum of Northern Virginia in 2004 when a Richmond children’s museum educator noted the lack of a child-focused museum in the region. Northern Virginia was the only metropolitan region in the state, and nation, without one, but not for long. The women’s volunteer organization, Junior League of Northern Virginia, chose the museum as their signature project in 2006. The organization’s contributions were essential to the early success of the Center. They raised over $250,000 in funds and contributed thousands of volunteer hours to support the Center’s development.Community feedback identified a need to build greater interest and aptitude in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics STEM subjects among regional students, who will become our future work force. Success in STEM subjects is the building block for future accomplishments, so the Center turned its focus to STEM learning and changed its name to the Children’s Science Center in 2008. In 2010, experienced non-profit leaders and fundraisers joined the Board of Directors and helped the Center make significant strides towards its goals. The museum’s programs and fundraising grew by 600% in just four years, while the Center’s museum without walls programs served 60,000 visitors in the same time frame.
Museum Admission :Children under 2 years are free2 years and older is $12.00seniors (62+) : $11.00members of the military : $11.00
Museum Program :Citizen Science Program : The Children’s Science Center has teamed up with NASA’s S’COOL (student cloud observation on-line) program to observe cloud cover from the ground to compare the observations taken by NASA satellites. Clouds have important effects on weather and climate. Scientists study the effect of clouds from the ground and from satellites stationed well above the clouds. To get the most information from the data collected by the satellites, scientists need to compare it to observations on the ground. You can help Register to be a citizen scientist, observe the clouds, and submit your data online. Program runs June 8 – July 31. All registered citizen scientist participants are welcome to stop by the Children’s Science Center Lab for a special surpriseThe Satellites : While we are observing the clouds from below, the high priority satellite instrument, CERES, is observing those clouds from above. CERES stands for Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System. It is traveling on six satellites that constantly circle the globe, monitoring the weather all over the world. These satellites monitor changes in the atmosphere and land throughout the world. These satellites are: TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission), Terra (EOS AM-1), EOS Aqua (PM-1 or Earth Observing System Aqua), CloudSat, CALIPSO (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation), NPP (NPOESS (National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental satellite System) Preparatory Project)Weather Science Demonstration : July 18, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pmVenue : Children’s Science Center Lab Garage, Fair Oaks Mall, FairfaxAs part of our Citizen Science Program, we are focusing on the atmosphere and weather. Everyone is invited to join us for a special demonstration to learn all about the weather! This fun one-hour event is free with paid admission to the Children’s Science Center Lab. << View Less