Donor Spotlight
Monique De Zahr
What comes to mind when you think of the Science Center?
A wonderful place for kids and their families. I’m excited to bring my nieces and nephews when they’re old enough. It makes me really happy and proud to see kids learning while having a ton of fun.
Why do you think it’s important to support informal STEM learning, like that of the Science Center?
Especially in Fairfax County, the schooling I got was tremendous. But school can also come with a lot of pressure. There is a lot going on. And pressure to get the best grades: I’m seeing it with kids younger and younger, which is scary. At the Science Center suddenly you’re learning unintentionally, you’re playing with the people that brought you there, making those special memories with them. Taking that pressure off while promoting all of the amazing education in STEM is extremely important. It’s important to show that this is something that applies to real life and applies to FUN!
What do you hope to accomplish through giving to the Science Center?
I hope to promote more of the education through great and fun experiences in STEM. I hope that it continues and prospers, and more people can get involved. I want it to be available to more families.
If someone was considering a donation to the Science Center, what would you say to them?
Everything that you put in, the Science Center will amplify! Donating, especially if you don’t have time to volunteer, it shows that you believe in the cause, that you care, and that it’s important to you that a Science Center is available for people, to provide an inquisitive environment for kids to learn positively.
Monique (pictured above on the right), a software engineer in New York City, has donated annually since 2021. She worked as STEM Educator at the Science Center the summer before college and loved seeing young faces light up.
