October 2022
Falling for STEM Again

Itā€™s great to see so many families and schools this fall enjoying the Lab and community programs in-person again after several challenging years! From Family Science Nights to Lab field trips and Latina Sci Girls, our school programs are in full swing.

October is also one of our favorite times of the year for families as we create the Haunted Lab and offer many fun and not-so-spooky Halloween-themed STEM activities on weekends and holidays. How much do we love Halloween? This TikTok video leaves no doubt! Putting a science twist on favorite seasons is a great way to engage children in STEM learning.

This fall, we are also excited to have many more high-school and college interns and we welcome back volunteers of all ages. If you havenā€™t visited the Lab in a while, now is the perfect time to come again! Be sure to visit the Haunted Lab this month and celebrate the season.
Sincerely,
Nene Spivy
Executive Director
Haunted Lab
October 1 - October 31
ļ»æTimed Entries ā€¢ 10 am & 2 pm
The Haunted Lab is NOW OPEN! Visit the Lab through October 31 for spook-tacular fun.

In addition to the decorations, there will be special ~spooky~ activities to participate in including Rocktober, Monster Genetics, Frankenslime, and a Halloween Scavenger Hunt!

Don't miss out on the frightful fun!

Purchase tickets online and save $2 per ticket!
Lab Costume Party
Saturday, October 22
5-7 pm
Enjoy the Haunted Lab AFTER HOURS!

ļ»æEven more spooky fun including ooey-gooey experiments, creepy crawly bug sorting, watching as one of our mad scientists (STEM educators) dissects a real sheep brain, and more!

Wear your Halloween costume as prizes will be awarded for creative and original ideas (maybe come as your favorite scientist? Or your best science pun?)

Members receive a $5 discount per ticket after login.
Celebrate This Months Week's at a Time!

World Animal Month: Visit our creatures in the Bio Zone!

Earth Science Week (October 9-15): Learn about geology at the Experiment Bar (Rocktober).

World AI Week Conference (October 10-14): See the 3-D Printer sponsored by AWS inCommunities in action!

National Chemistry Week (October 16-22): Create your own slime (Frankenslime) and explore the concept of pH at the Experiment Bar.
Mark Your Calendars!
Extra Timed Entry Days
In addition to weekends, the Lab will be open on the following days:

  • Monday, October 24 School holiday

  • Monday, October 31 School holiday

  • Friday, November 11 Veteran's Day

  • Friday, November 25 Black Friday
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We're Hiring!
Join Our Team

The Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation has opportunities in several areas of interest offering both part-time and full-time positions. These include:

  • Education
  • Fundraising
  • Operations
  • Animal Husbandry
Email your cover letter and resumƩ to jobs@childsci.org.@childsci.org.
Inaugural Champions Celebration
Thanking Supporters in Our World

The Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation held its first Champions Celebration at the Microsoft Garage in Reston last week. Microsoft, a Visionary Partner of the Foundation offered the ideal setting to welcome back our champions in person. The Garage is set up for tinkering, hacking, and designing with the latest in 3D printing technologies. Nene Spivy, Executive Director, and Gary Crum, Board Chair were on hand to thank and recognize corporate partners, volunteers, and interns, for their time, talent, and financial support of the organization. ā€œWe thank you for being part of the Science Centerā€™s journey over the years, and your continued support as we work to grow this impact exponentially by building the new Northern Virginia Science Center,ā€ said Spivy. The evening concluded with a fly-through video of the Northern Virginia Science Center.
Champions of The Science Center gathering at the Microsoft Garage on October 6th.
Youth volunteers with Executive Director Nene Spivy and Board Chair Gary Crum.
Donor Spotlight
Jilian Breedan
What inspired you to pursue a career in STEM?
I was incredibly fortunate to grow up with the influence of a dad that valued STEM and had three, STEM-related degrees. He emphasized the importance of education and emulated a strong work ethic. While I was drawn to math and science subjects, I wasnā€™t one of the people that effortlessly got good grades. I had to study and focus to do well, but my parents were my biggest cheerleaders. Ultimately, putting in the effort prepared me for college, where I studied Chemical Engineering. Now, I founded a business and my career in the architecture/engineer (A/E) industry has nothing to do with chemical engineering, but I credit my degree with teaching me how to think critically and opening doors to a variety of opportunities.
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How did you get involved with the Science Center?
My sister introduced me to the Science Center because it was something she was passionate about. In 2018, she invited me to a fundraising event, where I heard young students share the impact the Science Center had on their lives - how it exposed them to STEM and fostered their excitement for it! I was also introduced to the plan for a future Northern Virginia Science Center and could envision the positive impacts it would have on our region! I was so impressed by the efforts of the Lab, the mission of the Center, and the professionalism of the event, that I immediately pledged financial support. I then visited the Lab with my kids and attended a Family Science Night at their school. In 2019, I was invited to be on the Board of Directors, where I am still serving and continue to be motivated by the Centerā€™s impacts, the dedicated staff, the energy, and the caliber of my fellow Board members. 
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What inspires you to support the mission and vision of the Science Center?
I love seeing young people engage in STEM whether at the Lab, at school Family Science Nights, or through the distribution of STEM Kits! The awe, the enthusiasm, the failures, and the laughs. I am especially proud that the Center focused on providing those experiences to unrepresented and low-income studentsā€“ those that might not otherwise be exposed to STEM and may not see STEM as an available career path. As a business owner, I see the Centerā€™s mission as critical to encouraging STEM careers and improving the diversity of the workforce. And of course, Iā€™m super excited about the future Northern Virginia Science Center - a world-class, interactive museum for families, students, and learners of all ages right in our neighborhood! That means an even greater impact! Iā€™m thrilled to be part of something years in the making that will be such an asset ā€“ not only to my own family but to the region as a whole!
Try It At Home!
Can I get some Pi?
World Statistics Day is October 20!

Can't visit the Lab? Celebrate by becoming a mathematician at home!

Explore concepts such as pi, circumference, and diameter in this no-mess activity.
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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