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Greetings!
The Children's Science Center's volunteers have been busy meeting families at this month's community events, including the Oct. 11 Children's Health Festival at the Audrey Moore Recreation Center in Annandale; the Oct. 25 Healthy Kids Fun Run, part of the annual Marine Corps Marathon; and the Great Kids Expo on Oct. 25-26 at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. Hundreds of families took part in our fun, hands-on activities such as the Marbling Shaving Cream project shown above.
We could always use more help, and if you are interested in assisting the Children's Science Center at one of the community events we regularly participate in, please send an e-mail to Volunteer@TheChildrensScienceCenter.org.
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Don't forget to visit us online at www.TheChildrensScienceCenter.org | |
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Encouraging young visionaries
Students from kindergarten to high school are encouraged to join the national ExploraVision Awards Program--one of the world's largest K -12 science and technology competitions, according to the contest Web site.
Sponsored by Toshiba and administered by the Arlington-based National Science Teachers Association, the program challenges students to research scientific principles and current technologies in order to design new technologies that could exist in 20 years.
Students work in teams of two to four, supervised by a teacher who acts as team coach. There is no cost to enter, and prizes range from a $10,000 U.S. Series EE Savings Bond to a Toshiba notebook computer. Winning teams also will receive an all-expenses-paid to Washington, DC for a gala awards weekend in June 2009.
Entries are due no later than Jan. 29, 2009. For more information, visit the Web site at at www.exploravision.org.
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Calling all Webmasters
The Children's Science Center is in need of a volunteer Webmaster who will maintain and update our new Web site. Requirements are mostly of a technical nature, no writing required unless you're interested. For more information, please e-mail info@TheChildrensScienceCenter.org
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The Enchanted Forest
Join The Children's Science Center as we offer more hands-on science activities at a magical  event sponsored by our supporters, The Junior League of Northern Virginia. The Enchanted Forest will take place Nov. 22 and 23 at the Sheraton Reston Hotel at 11819 Sunrise Valley Drive.
This annual holiday festival features theme-decorated holiday trees, handmade gingerbread homes, holiday shopping, and fun activities for the entire family: music, children's entertainers, games, crafts, photos with Santa and more! Each year about 1,500 - 3,000 visitors experience the magic of The Enchanted Forest.
For more information, including a schedule of Premium Events such as Breakfast with Santa and forms to reserve tickets for the events, visit the JLNV Web site at www.jlnv.org.
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Survey says...
Respondents to our online survey at www.TheChildrensScienceCenter.org are unanimous in that they "Very Strongly Agree" agree that a there is a need for a Science Center in Northern Virgnia, according to our latest poll results.
An overwhelming number of respondents indicated that they would like to see the Center offer Hands-on Activities (94%) and Summer Camp Programs (72%), while half indicated they'd like to see After-School Programs.
When asked how they would be willing to support the Center's efforts, 82% indicated they would purchase memberships and almost half (47%) said they would volunteer.
The results of this ongoing survey will help direct our efforts as we continue the process of opening our new children's museum next year. To provide your input into this process, please visit our Web site and click on "Take Our Survey"; to go directly to the survey, please click here.
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Kids' Corner
Consider This Fun Halloween Activity For Your Children
1 cup hot water
1 1/2 tsp. Borax (non-toxic/available by laundry detergents)
2 cups clear glue
2 cups warm water
1 tsp. liquid watercolor
Activity:
Mix 1 cup hot water and 1 1/2 tsp. of Borax until dissolved. Set aside.
Mix 2 cups of clear glue and 2 cups of warm water together in a plastic bowl.
Using a metal spoon, slowly pour Borax mixture into the glue mixture while stirring quickly. Stir until the mixture leaves the side of the bowl. Slime will be sticky. Knead the mixture until it is no longer sticky. The more you work with it the easier it will become.
Science Notes:
Slime is an excellent example of a polymer. The word polymer comes from the Greek language from poly "many" and meros "parts". Polymers are large molecules consisting of repeating identical structural units connected by covalent chemical bonds. Polymers can be naturally occurring or manmade. Manmade polymers are materials like nylon, polyester, and polystyrene. Examples of naturally occurring polymers are proteins in our body like tubulin and actin. These proteins make up microtubules and microfilaments that serve as structural components within our cells.
Storage and Safety Guidelines:
Store Slime in an airtight container for about 3 weeks of use. Slime is non-edible. When you are through with it, discard in a trash container. Do not wash down the drain.
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| The Children's Science Center is a non-profit museum dedicated to sparking children's interest in science through interactive exhibits and engaging programs that encourage exploration of math and science, stimulate creativity, and inspire through active learning. This 501 (c)(3) organization currently offers hands-on activities at community events throughout the region and is planning to open its doors is Reston, VA in Fall 2009. For more information, visit www.TheChildrensScienceCenter.org. Please direct all inquiries to Executive Director Ann Myers at (703) 648-3130. | |
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