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November 2019
From the Executive Director
Family Time!

While our mission is to inspire a love of learning STEM, bringing families together for meaningful, memorable and fun experiences is among our core purposes. We will be closed on Thanksgiving to allow our team of staff and volunteers to enjoy their family, but we will be back at the Lab the next day for our annual Family Fun Day and all of that weekend to serve families in our community. This Thanksgiving, we are especially grateful for our “family” of supporters and volunteers who make our work with tens of thousands of families possible!
Adelene "Nene" Spivy
Executive Director
New at the Bar!
Science Makes Scents
In November at the Experiment Bar we will be exploring our sense of smell and discover  Science Makes Scents ! Learn how your olfactory system can detect and identify molecules floating in the air.  

Check out the calendar of events for information on what's happening at the Lab all month long including our Critter Chitter Chatter and Budding programs that take place in the Lab on a regular basis.
Special Hours of Operation
Friday, November 8, Closing at 3:30pm for Private Event
Tuesday, November 12, Closed for Team Training
Thursday, November 28, Closed for Thanksgiving
Just for Parents!
VROOM circles

You might notice something new in the Discovery Zone - bright orange circles on the wall that give parents and caregivers easy and fun ways to engage with their child. Thanks to a grant from the Association of Science and Technology Centers, we are able to participate in a unique program called  Vroom .

Vroom grew out of the Bezos Family Foundation and is designed with kids, parents and community in mind. It encourages families to take everyday moments and turn them into brain building moments.

Each set of circles include a fun and engaging tip and the science that backs it. Use the tips to form positive connections between you and your child, all while building on life skills like focus, self-control and problem solving. On your next visit to the Lab, be sure to check out the bright orange circles to remind yourself that boosting children’s learning doesn’t require more time or money. Making little changes in how we use our time with our children can have a big impact on their growing brains. 
Winter Weather Outlook
Saturday, November 23, 12:30-2pm

Join the WUSA 9 Weather Team for an afternoon of Winter Weather Fun! There will be activities to learn about types of winter weather, how we measure snow, and why snowflakes don't all look alike! Plus, we'll dive into this year's Winter Weather Outlook and talk about how much snow YOU could see at your house this year!

Come join the fun and meet Meteorologists Topper Shutt, Howard Bernstein, Melissa Nord and Miri Marshall!
Annual Founders Society Event
"Launch the Future"
The Children Science Center’s annual Founders Society luncheon was held on October 24th at the Westin Dulles. Over 300 attendees enjoyed interacting with our Youth Ambassadors in the Showcase followed by a seated luncheon with inspiring speakers and a powerful video, which we invite you to watch now . 

Tremendous thanks to our Host Committee, speakers, sponsors, volunteers and guests who helped us  launch the future , raising over $240,000 in gifts and multi-year pledges from more than 120 new donors, including 20 members of Founders Society Giving Circle.

To learn more about how you can be involved in this mission-critical event in 2020, please contact  Advancement Manager Gigi Bennett . 
Try it Home!
Pine Needle Hardiness

Falling leaves are synonymous with Autumn but that often means we overlook the evergreens. Evergreens keep their leaves throughout the year. Pines are a common evergreen found in the area and can be used for this simple experiment. How long can an evergreen survive without water and do other fluids provide enough water for the plant to live? Test this out and find out!
The Children's Science Center is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and your gifts directly support our mission and programs.