Open weekends and school holidays. Save $2 per ticket when you buy online!
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We know homeschoolers school all year long, however, we know one of the benefits of homeschooling is to be where the crowds are not. Get up close and personal with our STEM Educators and ask as many questions about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) that your students can come up with!
We invite homeschool families to become Homeschool Pass Holders of the Children’s Science Center Lab and to be a part of our community of support that is dedicated to creating a world-class Children’s Science Center in our region. A Homeschool Pass gives your family access to fun, hands-on and educational activities focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), September 7, 2020, through May 20, 2021. To become a Homeschool Pass Holder, stop by the Children’s Science Center Lab, call (703) 648-3130, and present your Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) Card or paperwork stating all homeschool requirements of the state have been met. Any questions, please send an email to membership@childsci.org.
For only $99, this pass comes with admission benefits for the entire homeschool family, including two parents and all children living in the same household. Passes are not transferable among families or children living in another household. The Homeschool Pass does not offer the same benefits as a Base Family Membership. Some restrictions apply.
Visit Children's Science Center Lab to explore, create, and inspire! With 4 galleries filled with hands-on activities and experiments, you and your child have the opportunity to enhance their problem-solving skills, practice critical thinking, build their confidence, and have fun! The Lab is designed for children under 12 and their families. Children must be accompanied by at least one engaged adult.
All visitors are highly encouraged to buy tickets online in advance due to our limited space, and you'll save $2 per ticket when you do so. If a timed entry session has not already sold out, we also offer walkup tickets at the door.
The Lab is open on weekends and school holidays, typically for 3 timed entries per day:
10:00 am- 12:00 pm
1:00 pm- 3:00 pm
3:30 pm- 5:30 pm
If you are planning a visit with 10 or more people, please contact us in advance at tickets@childsci.org.
We look forward to seeing you!
Hop up to the Experiment Bar and try experiments ranging from physics and chemistry to biology, environmental science, electronics, and materials science. With a different experiment added each month, the rotating menu (currently selections to the right) invites you to explore, test, and discover something new.
Inspiration Hub features interactive exhibits that explore scientific phenomena and real-world STEM applications, including wind energy, air rockets, 3D printing, and simple machines. Watch the 3D printer come to life and print new designs daily!
Tinker Shop is a hands-on, workshop-style space devoted to making, creating, building, testing, and deconstructing. Celebrating the Maker movement, it introduces visitors to early engineering design principles through open-ended exploration and problem solving. The space is home to a giant wind tunnel, where you can test your own hovercraft designs and see engineering concepts come to life!
Discovery Zone is a hands-on wonderland designed for budding scientists ages five and under. Little explorers can build, create, and experiment through playful activities like the light-up Pixel Peg wall, giant blue Imagination Blocks, and a reflective light table. Every experience is thoughtfully designed to support early learning and development, encouraging big movements and careful coordination, sparking sensory discovery, nurturing curiosity and creativity, and building confidence as children explore, test ideas, and learn through free exploration.
The Garage is a flexible space with an iconic garage door entry, and hosts a wide variety of special activities. One of the most common and popular activities in the Garage is free building with Keva planks!
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Are you looking for story time with your little ones? Follow along our STEM Educators on our Budding Bookworms playlist!
Check out our DIY Series playlist to recreate science experiments at home using household materials.
Our Science Demos playlist is sure to wow you by bringing science into your home!
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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.
