Sure, you could eat it, but what else could you do with that fruitcake? The Science Museum is on a mission to find out. Does it float? What happens if you burn it? Can you conduct electricity with it? Don’t find these things out at home check it out at the Science Museum of Virginia with these 4 passes!
Fruitcake Science
December 26, 2013 to December 30, 2013
9:30am to 5:00pm
Here’s how to enter:
-Enter your name and email address on the “Polar Express”
tab on our facebook page or by following this link
- Get additional entries to this contest by sharing your link with your facebook friends and twitter followers (no need for a twitter account to enter the contest)
-Check Richmondmom.com for the winner on Friday, December 20th at 3PM to see if you are the lucky winner!
Congratulations Ginger Good Henley!!!
Have a great time!!
One entry per email address. Enter by 11:59pm, 12-19-13. Winner announced 12-20-13 on our website.
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Scroll to the bottom to see the winner
What are you going to do with the kids during a long winter’s break?
We LOVED seeing Polar Express on the big, big, big screen at the Science Museum
and we don’t want you to miss it!
Enter by December 19th, 2013 to win a family 4 pack to Polar Express!
Here’s how to enter:
-Enter your name and email address on the “Polar Express”
tab on our facebook page or by following this link
- Get additional entries to this contest by sharing your link with your facebook friends and twitter followers (no need for a twitter account to enter the contest)
-Check Richmondmom.com for the winner on Friday, December 20th at 3PM to see if you are the lucky winner!
Congratulations Melissa Moore!!!!!
]]>The Science Museum is a sponsor of Richmondmom.comYou can find a great deal to the Science Museum when you use the
Richmondmom.com Savvy Saver Card
The Science Museum of Virginia works to foster science learning throughout the Commonwealth. Despite growing numbers of visitors to Broad Street Station from Northern, Western, and Eastern Virginia, geographic distance remains a barrier for many. For decades, the Museum’s approach to bridging that gap was to deploy museum educators throughout Virginia presenting science demonstrations to school-wide assemblies and classroom workshops. Increasingly, however, travel and growing constraints of school time and resources limited the ability to impact Virginia’s 1.2 million public school students in a meaningful way.
A recent leadership gift of $1 million from the Altria Group will enable the Museum to advance its statewide outreach strategy to engage middle-grades students in hands-on STEM learning after school.
“Altria has been generous with both its philanthropic dollars and its intellectual capital,” explains Museum Director/Chief Wonder Officer Richard Conti. “As leaders in supporting urban education in our community, our colleagues there helped us define our niche and deepen our impact. After years of supporting the Museum’s programs for youth in Central Virginia, Altria is helping us both to continue building our effectiveness with local students, and create infrastructure and partnerships to reach out beyond the metro area over the next five years.”
Science Museum of Virginia Foundation Board Member Brian Quigley, a senior executive with Altria, said, “the Museum’s and Altria’s community priorities came together just as we announced the new Success 360° initiative, which is the investment Altria’s tobacco companies make in leading national and local nonprofit organizations that serve middle school kids and their families. Success 360 helps organizations like the Science Museum deliver proven-effective programs, and it focuses on collaboration with other groups to better connect the services provided to students in and out of school.”
The program sets out to foster participants’ interest in STEM and learning, to increase awareness and perhaps set in motion academic pathways toward a STEM career. The out-of-school-time (OST) STEM project team, led by Charles English, works closely with a broad range of partners in Richmond, Petersburg, and Hopewell including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond, 4-H, Communities in the Schools and Higher Achievement.
“We share a commitment to empowering kids,” English explains, “particularly kids who have the least opportunity and the greatest need for experiences that give them something to build on for their future. We found in settings like the Boys & Girls Clubs and Middle School Renaissance a desire for high quality learning experiences but a need for a model that lets kids drive the learning through activities that don’t look or feel like more school. Project-based learning lets kids use STEM tools and technology to solve real world problems and challenges.”
Todd McFarlane, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond, has seen the partnership develop over the past few years. “Who would have thought kids would be clamoring to do science after school? The Museum has worked closely with us to develop the right mix of fun and learning. We now have kids competing for spots in this program and are looking at OST STEM as a model for how to integrate learning into the menu of offerings in our clubs.”
These programs are offered in Metro Richmond now but will be offered more broadly this spring.
Boost! is the Science Museum of Virginia‘s first new permanent exhibit in a decade. It’s Amazing and it opens this weekend! If you’re looking to Boost! your creativity, flexibility, memory, strength…(well, you get the picture) this is the place to be.
By using cutting-edge technology, Boost! allows visitors to personalize their experience, track performance and playfully compete with friends and family.
From watching popcorn on the cob being made in the incredible full scale Kitchen Stadium to laying down your own percussion tracks on “More Cowbell” , SMV’s new exhibit will tantalize and mesmerize while challenging your perceptions of wellness, self-improvement and your interactions with the world around you.
When you first enter the exhibit, you receive a chip with a QR code, which you can use to track your results throughout the interactive exhibit. The chip is yours to keep, so you can take it back to the Science Museum and track your progress over time. Challenge yourself (or your whole family) to become more flexible, develop better balancing skills or improve memory.
Brian and I were lucky enough to get a sneak peak at Boost! and this is some of what we learned:
- With a bit of practice, we could both learn to walk a tight rope!
- Brian could squeeze me into a travel golf bag if he ever needed to (which I sure hope he doesn’t).
- Brian can bench press WAY more than me, big surprise, but I can jump higher than him relative to our respective heights.
- The interactive yoga exhibit is REALLY popular…we didn’t get a chance to test it out this time, but I’m really excited to go back and play around with that one!!
- We both need more sleep and LOTS more play time.
Boost! opens Saturday, June 22nd, and if you can pry yourself away from the exhibit, don’t forget to enjoy everything from Robots to live performances at the Spring N2 Summer celebration’s special outdoor activities and live science demonstrations. Included with general admission and free for members!
For more details on Boost! and other Science Museum of Virginia exhibits and events, please visit: www.smv.org or call 804.464.1400.
Science Museum of Virginia is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com
If you haven’t seen the fabulous Robots + Us exhibit at the Science Museum of Virginia, then this weekend is the perfect time to stop by. Get out of the rain, beat the heat, or just have some fun. And be sure to enter our contest and you might win a family 4-pack of tickets to the Museum.
Our recent exploration of this exhibit did not allow nearly enough time to cover it all. We expected an hour would be enough, but boy were we wrong!
Robots + Us is a massive, interactive exhibit that boggles the mind. You will see robots and machines working in ways you never imagined before.
- Test the senses of a light-seeking robot as you guide it through a maze by controlling light exposure.
- Compare your own abilities against an industrial robot as you race to assemble a jigsaw puzzle.
- Explore the dynamics of walking machines as you create your own crawling creature and guide it through obstacle courses!
- Try to fool facial recognition software by disguising yourself with a fake mustache or wearing sunglasses!
Walking into the exhibit hall, you are met by a large Robot Mascot – approach carefully as my 3-year old granddaughter, Lily, was a bit taken aback when she first saw this ‘alien creature’! But we were quick to learn that this was a very friendly robot greeting us. There are lots of displays, but as always, it’s the interactive opportunities that grab the attention of the kids.
Mobile Robots were a big hit where we could direct robots by flashlights and build a maze. We spent quite a bit of time assembling a puzzle, and trying to beat the robot (the robots are amazingly fast at assembling puzzles for sure!). You can actually compare your own abilities against an industrial robot as you race to assemble a jigsaw puzzle. And watching the appearing and disappearing objects at the railroad depot kept us mesmerized for quite some time – it was just a little bit embarrassing as Lily who is only 3 years old, was able to see the quick switches more than me!
Heading towards the back of the exhibit room, we enjoyed lots of fun with the robotic ‘pet’ toys. And there is one part of the exhibit you don’t want to miss. You can type your questions for a Robot to answer. This particular Robot was quite charming, animated and funny – and even when she didn’t know the answer to our questions, she knew exactly the direction we needed to go to find an answer. Lily and I both were both laughing when Lily typed, “Pdsdfklasdgo;E{Eru!3dfjasdfasd” into the computer, and the Robot replied, “I am not programmed to answer that question!”
Lily loved the sensor garden where lights controlled the actions of a robot. Light, sound, and even breathing can cause surprising results with the mechanical beings at this interactive display station near the end of the exhibit.
Robots + Us is an exhibit that has something appealing for all ages. Whether you’re 3 years old or an adult, you will be amazed at this exhibit. But be sure and allow enough time – we just did make it in time for the Flight of the Butterflies movie in the IMAX Dome. That is truly a must-see too.
Thanks to the Science Museum of Virginia for bringing so much fun, education, and amazement to all ages – we can’t wait to see Boost!
Science Museum of Virginia is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com
http://www.smv.org
The Science Museum of Virginia has tons of events, exhibits, and family fun going on. Lots of events are happening right now so don’t miss them. Mark your calendars to take advantage of all of these fun activities. And be sure to visit our link to register to possibly win a family pack of 5-free tickets to Raise the Roof – we’re giving away one family pack of tickets each week through April, 2013.
Just have fun at the Museum by planning ahead for many of these upcoming events too!
(Visit the Museum website to confirm dates and times as they may change after posting).
You can also use your Richmondmom.com Savvy Saver card for special savings on Fridays at the Science Museum.
Born to be Wild (film in IMAX®DOME)
Now-Friday, May 24
Born to be Wild is an inspiring story of love, dedication and the remarkable bond between humans and animals. This film documents orphaned orangutans and elephants and the extraordinary people who rescue and raise them — saving endangered species one life at a time. $9 general admission, $5 for members.
They Call It Stormy Weather: How Artists See the Weather and the Seasons
Now-Monday June 3
Explore artists’ depictions of weather from thunderstorms on powerful, wild seas to sunny skies above spring fields. The photographic reproductions are on loan from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Included with exhibit admission.
Raise the Roof: An Exhibit About Buildings
Now-Sunday, April 28
If walls could talk, what would they say? Explore buildings and structures in a new light as you discover the stories behind the structures through a variety of interactive experiences. Included with exhibit admission.
http://www.smv.org
Architecture in Virginia: The Old Dominion
Friday, March 15-Sunday, May 12
Examine photographs and descriptions of 24 significant examples of Virginia architecture built primarily between 1780 and 1861. The collection is on loan from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Included with exhibit admission.
Rocky Mountain Express
Saturday, March 16-Friday, May 24
Join in the epic adventure of building Canada’s first transcontinental railway as you are propelled on a steam train journey through the Canadian Rockies. $9 general admission, $5 for members.
April E-Cycling
Monday, April 1-Tuesday, April 30
April is E-Cycle month at the Museum, benefitting VirginiaFIRST. Drop off unwanted electronic devices including computers, mp3s, smart phones, cell phones, televisions and other electronics for recycling. We accept broken and working equipment, batteries, cables and chargers, etc. Anything with data will be wiped to DOD standards. Free.
March Ratness
Thursday, April 4, 11 am
Cheer on your favorite basketball playing rats as they represent four top college teams and compete Science Museum of Virginia style! Included with Museum admission.
Junior Solar Sprint Workshop
Saturday, April 6, 10 am-noon
Discover the science behind a Junior Solar Sprint car as you learn how to build one. Up to 4 persons per team. Participants must have materials for the car. Kits are available for purchase through the Museum while supplies last. To register please call 804.864.1400. $10 registration, free for Museum members.
Nano Days
Saturday, April 6, 11 am-4 pm
Join us as we explore the world of the very small where things are one billionth of a meter or smaller. Included with exhibit admission.
Camp In
Friday, April 12-Saturday, April 13
Try your hand at designing and building structures, watch a giant-screen film in the IMAX®DOME and explore Museum exhibits after hours at this fun overnight! $45 per child. $20 per adult. For every four children, one adult chaperone is required. Call 804.864.1400.
VCU School of Engineering Senior Design Expo
Friday, April 19, 9:30 am-2:30 pm
If you are looking for something amazing, explore senior engineering projects designed by Virginia Commonwealth University students. One year a student designed a flying car, so this year’s designs should even be more spectacular. Free.
Chesterfield County Public Schools STEAM Fair
Saturday, April 20, 9:30 am-4 pm
Check out science in action as Chesterfield County Public School students demonstrate their science projects and compete in team challenges: Minute to Win It and STEAM Olympics. Included with exhibit admission.
Earth Day Rain Barrel Workshop – Sold Out
Saturday, April 20, 1-3 pm
Build a rain barrel for your home as you celebrate Earth Day and learn about conserving resources. Please call 804.864.1400 to reserve a space; seating is limited. $15/$10 for members.
National Weather Service SKYWARN Training Session
Saturday, April 20, 3-5 pm
Learn now to become a volunteer severe weather spotter! SKYWARN volunteers provide the National Weather Service with timely and accurate severe weather reports. Preregistration is required since space is limited. To register email Michael.Montefusco@noaa.gov. Free.
Girls in Medicine Camp In
Friday, May 10-Saturday, May 11
Middle School girls team up with women in the medical field to focus the variety of genetics opportunities while they explore careers in medicine. Sponsored by HCA Virginia Health System. $10 per person.
Junior Solar Sprint
Saturday, May 4, 10 am-3 pm
Cheer your favorite student team as sun-powered, race cars head toward the finish line. Registration per team is $10, including up to 4 team members and one adult. Pre-registration is required. Call 804.864.1400. Included with exhibit admission for general public, free for members.
Robots + Us
May 11-September 29
Explore differences between humans and robots by examining how lifelike machines imitate moving, sensing, thinking and being. Investigate robotics, computer science and biomedical engineering through enjoyable interactive exhibits and videos. Included with exhibit admission. Free for members
Flight of the Butterflies (film in IMAX®DOME)
Saturday, May 25-Friday, September 6
Migrate with hundreds of millions of Monarch butterflies across North America! Discover the hideaway of these magnificent creatures and immerse yourself in this compelling adventure. $9 general admission, $5 for members.
To The Arctic (film in IMAX®DOME)
Saturday, May 25-Friday, September 6
Journey with a mother polar bear and her two cubs as they navigate the changing Arctic wilderness they call home. Captivating, adventurous, and intimate footage brings you up close and personal with this family´s struggle to survive and thrive. $9 general admission, $5 for member
Martini & A Movie
Thursday, May 2, 6-8 pm
Join members of the Universe Society for an evening of networking and seeing the giant screen film Grand Canyon Adventure. The Universe Society is a social group of young adults who promote the Museum. For reservations call 804.864.1548, email celliott@smv.org or visit https://support.smv.org/
Rain Barrel Workshop
Saturday, May 11, 1-3 pm
Build a rain barrel for your home as you celebrate Earth Day and learn about conserving resources. Please call 804.864.1400 to reserve a space; seating is limited. $15/$10 for members.
Rain Barrel Workshop
Saturday, May 30, 1-3 pm
Build a rain barrel for your home as you celebrate Earth Day and learn about conserving resources. Please call 804.864.1400 to reserve a space; seating is limited. $15/$10 for members.
The Science Museum of Virginia is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com
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Let’s hear it for the Science Museum of Virginia and Raise the Roof!
Once again, Richmondmom.com is excited to partner with the Science Museum of Virginia on an unbelievable giveaway for our readers. You can only get this deal right here on our website!
Between now and the end of April, 2013, we are giving away a family FIVE (5) pack of tickets for lucky winners to enjoy the Raise the Roof exhibit at the Museum. If you haven’t heard about this interactive, engaging, and entertaining exhibit, check out our Real Richmond Review right here. Kids can build their own structures, watch buildings implode, defy gravity, and more!
Enter Here!
Here’s how to enter our contest to win.
- Click on this link to enter.
- Watch your email the end of each week to see if you’re a winner.
- If you are a winner, simply head to the Science Museum where your tickets will be waiting with your name on them at “Will Call” (at reception desk).
That’s it! You’re in for tons of fun. We’re giving away tickets each week through the end of April so chances of winning are good.
The Raise the Roof exhibit is in Richmond through April 28, 2013 – whether you win tickets or not, it’s worth the time and money to head down to the Museum. Plan to spend a couple of hours there because you don’t want to miss any of the interactive displays available.
Worried about getting to the Museum before Raise the Roof closes April 28? No problem! The expiration date of tickets for our winners will go past the closing date, so your family will still get to visit the Museum for FREE, even if you miss Raise the Roof.
Thanks to the Science Museum of Richmond for sponsoring this great contest to allow so many of our Richmondmom.com families to attend with their FREE tickets!
Be sure and use your Savvy Saver card when you visit the Museum for special savings on specified days.
Don’t have one? Just click here!
The Science Museum of Virginia is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com
If you haven’t been to Raise the Roof at the Science Museum of Virginia, be sure and put it on your calendar before it leaves Richmond. It’s an interactive event for kids and adults of all ages. Our recent visit was loads of fun and we even learned a lot from the kids!
Build a Truss – Courtesy: Raise the Roof (at Science Museum)
Tension, compression, gravity, and even explosives are all part of the educational experience. Entering the Raise the Roof exhibit hall begins with the incredible domed structure. This dome is amazing as you step underneath the wood and steel, crank the handle, and see how simple machines can literally raise the roof as walls open up to demonstrate the structural integrity.
But that’s just the beginning.
Interactive Exhibits
We headed over to the activity station where we could build our own trusses. After several feeble attempts at connecting the cables and steel rods, a 10-year old boy walked over beside me and politely asked, “Would you like for me to show you how to do it?” (Embarrassing!). Within minutes he had skillfully connected the pieces and created an awesome structure that was taut and impressive – demonstrating how a similar creation can hold tons of steel and concrete.
Moving over to the next interactive activity, we found a series of objects that allowed us to build a tall structure. The objective of the activity is to build the structure as high as possible before it tumbles. After a few tries and some tips from the display instructions, we learned that triangles will make the difference when it comes to supporting a taller structure. Armed with that knowledge, our tower grew much taller.
One of the most intriguing parts of the Raise the Roof exhibit were the videos and demonstrations of imploding buildings. Seeing how the explosives were carefully placed throughout the buildings for controlled demolition, and then watching buildings actually ‘fall on themselves’ was mind-boggling.
Kapla blocks commanded attention for all ages. Kapla blocks are intended to be stacked and remain in place thanks to gravity. They do not have snaps or interlocking parts and are not meant to be used with glue. Kids were building all types of structures with these wooden blocks.
There were many other interactive parts of the exhibit throughout. A wooden city, books for reading, information on carbon monoxide poisoning, and many more activities kept the kids engaged. There was even a display to demonstrate how different types of insulation can help keep hot and cold from passing through windows. (Note to self: replace windows with new double-panes!).
A Moveable House
Courtesy: Science Museum of Virginia – Building with Kapla blocks with Yurt in background.
We eventually found ourselves stepping into the creative world of Mongolian culture. Walking into a ger or yurt, which is a round-shaped home traditionally constructed of felt, rawhide and canvas, we could feel the warmth of this unusual ‘home’.
The hundreds of small wooden poles that create the structure, and the canvas covering that protects the yurt from the outside elements, was quite unusual. Intricate details throughout the yurt made it feel warm and welcoming.
Family Fun
We even electronically designed our own doghouse to see if it could withstand the force of winds and rain (my house collapsed during the tornado – maybe that tin roof wasn’t such a good idea!).
This exhibit is one that is definitely perfect for the entire family – all ages will find it entertaining, fun, and educational. It’s especially intriguing for young boys and girls who enjoy building, creating, and figuring out how things work. The exhibit is extended through April 28, 2013 so make plans now for a visit.
Your kids will certainly leave the event equipped with lots of new knowledge and plenty to talk about with friends. And they’ll have some great ideas for those school projects.
Check your Savvy Saver card for Friday “BOGO” discounts at Science Museum.
The Science Museum of Virginia is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com
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Science Museum of Virginia is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com
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The Science Museum of Virginia is always filled with fun, exhibits, shows, displays, experimentation, and amazement. They’re saying ‘good-bye’ to 2012 in a big way too! The Science Museum has fantastic events from December 26-31, 2012 that are a “must do” for Richmond families. Check them out here and mark your calendar:
- Fruitcake Science will be front and center at the Museum December 26-30. Click here to learn more about this fun event.
- In addition to Fruitcake Science, you can find musical performances from December 26-30 too. They are listed on the Science Museum’s website and include multiple guitar performances.
- On December 31, kids will enjoy Noon Year’s Eve powered by Radio Disney. It’s from 10am-1 pm with a countdown to noon, release of confetti and bouncy balls, noisemakers and a fruit juice toast. It’s a great party filled with activities and dancing for the younger ones who most likely will be asleep by midnight.
- Then at 1 pm, they have a performance on stage in Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World by internet phenom and Ashland 18-year old: George Dennehy. George plays guitar like no other – having been born without arms he has learned to play with his feet. Videos of a performance in Ashland where he played the Goo Goo Dolls song “Iris” went viral, ending up with George being invited by the Goo Goo Dolls to play with them at Musikfest in front of an audience of more than one million. Now he’s playing at the Science Museum of Virginia as his career is taking off.
Mark these events on your calendar and have fun at the Science Museum.
The Science Museum of Virginia is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com.
