Open daily through January 5th! Purchase tickets here (and save $2)! 🌟
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Designated parking at Fair Oaks Mall for vehicles bearing handicapped parking placards and license plates are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
School buses may drop off students at the mall entrance right next to the Lab.
The Children’s Science Center Lab is one level and accessible to guests with mobility assistant equipment.
The entrance into Fair Oaks Mall is accessible for guests using mobility assistant equipment. The Lab is located on the first floor.
Both restrooms have wheelchair accessible stalls, and our Experiment Bar features a lower section of the bar that is wheelchair accessible.
The Fair Oaks Mall rents out wheelchairs free of charge at the security office. The office is located down the hallway between Footlocker and Hallmark. The closest mall entrance to the security office is located near Sushi On. See Mall directory for more details.
Both our Women’s and Men’s restrooms include a baby changing station and wheelchair accessible stalls. A family restroom is available near the Mall’s Security Office. The office is located down the hallway between Footlocker and Hallmark. See Mall directory for more details.
Buses drop-off & pick-up at the mall entrance between Mezeh and Children's Science Center Lab. Bus schedules should be consulted at Metro stations or www.wmata.com
Signage is available around the museum explaining activities and exhibits to enhance the experience of those hard of hearing.
Our activities and exhibits are designed to be hands-on, and many can still be experienced by those with visual impairments.
The Lab offers free admission for a paid Personal Care Assistant (PCA) accompanying a guest with a severe disability who needs the PCA’s assistance due to that disability as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The guest may request a free admission for the PCA at the Guest Services desk, and the PCA will receive, free of charge, the same admission pass that was purchased by the guest.
Service dogs are welcome at the Lab. Lab staff may ask that a service dog be removed if it is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it or it is not housebroken. If this occurs, the individual will be given the opportunity to remain at the Lab without the animal.
Parents are welcome to breastfeed in the Lab. If guests seek a quieter space, please ask for the manager as they can guide you to a quieter room.
If you have questions or suggestions about accessibility or require other accommodations, please contact us at info@childsci.org.
The mainstay out reach program is our unique FamilyScience Nights. These events travel to over 50 elementary schools each school year between September and May, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. At each event, the Center arrives in our Childsci VW van with 10-12 table-top, hands-on activities and transforms the school’s gym or cafeteria into a science center. We typically serve between 200-400 families per event and need a minimum of 15 volunteers who work alongside our staff and the school’s team to make the event run smoothly.
The Center also participates in a robust calendar of regional out reach through out the year including appearances at STEM-themed festivals such as the Loudoun County STEM Day (Sept), the Maker Faire No Va at George Mason University (March), the STEM Symposium at the NySmith School (April), and the 2-day USA Science and Engineering Festival at the DC Convention Center (April). These weekend appearances are generally several hours in duration and the Center arrives with 2-4 table-top, hands-on activities. We need shifts of 4-6 volunteers every 2 hours to work along side our staff.
(Ages 13-15)
‍Youth between the ages of 13 and 15 are welcome to volunteer with an engaged adult at the Lab or at weekend community events. Both the youth and adult are expected to maintain a Volunteer Matters profile and sign up for the same shift. Each member of the volunteer pair is expected to stay for the entire shift and work as a team at the activity to which they are assigned. We request that each volunteer attend one training session each year (this does not have to happen prior to volunteering for the first time). For community programs, volunteers will receive an instruction packet detailing the logistics for the event, information about the activity to which they were assigned, and emergency contact numbers for event organizers. At the Lab, parent and youth teams support behind the scenes operations including stocking experiment and activity supplies. Make sure that both parent and child fill out an application and sign up for the same shift!
(Ages 16+)
Youth ages 16 and up are welcome to volunteer at the Lab and for Community Programs events like Family Science Night that occur throughout the region at locals schools and other weekend community events. We request that every volunteer provide their own transportation. We request that each volunteer attend one training session each year (this does not have to happen prior to volunteering for the first time). Volunteers will receive an instruction packet detailing the logistics for the event, information about the activity to which they were assigned, and emergency contact numbers for event organizers.
The Children’s Science Center Lab is looking for interns to support our School Break Day-Long Camps at the Lab! This fun opportunity is for those who are looking to earn qualifying academic credit or volunteer service hours. Anyone 16 years or over may apply by sending a cover letter detailing their interest and resume to internships@childsci.org with“School Break STEM Intern” in the subject line. For more information: School Break STEM Camp Intern
This position will provide a well-rounded intern experience for those individuals who are actively pursuing a
career in animal husbandry. Interns will learn along side professional animal care staff while assisting with diet preparation and distribution, cleaning enclosures and holding areas, observations, and implementing
environmental enhancements and enrichment across the LAB’s ambassador collection. Interns will also have learning opportunities and responsibilities involving informal guest interactions and conservation education. The internship will also cover topics including best practices in animal welfare, zoonotic diseases, training, AZA/SSP information, USDA requirements, record keeping, and more. Animal Care Internship
If you’re 16-18 and looking to earn service hours for school or your service club, this shift is perfect for you. Join us at the Lab from 9:30– 11:30 AM on the weekends. Please email volunteer@childsci.org.
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. The Foundation is also developing the Northern Virginia Science Center in Dulles, VA, a world-class, interactive regional science center for families, students and learners of all ages made possible through a pivotal public-private partnership. Learn more about our mission today at childsci.org and our vision for the future at novasci.org.
