The Science Museum of Virginia will test your skills against professional athletes. You can train like a pro at the Boost! exhibit before or after enjoying the Redskins training camp.

Photo Source: Science Museum of Virginia

Are you ready for some Football…Science!

We’re giving summer a Boost! with our favorite NFL team – The Washington Redskins!

The Science Museum of Virginia’s summer lineup now includes football science. Come on out and test your skills either before or after watching the Redskins prepare for their upcoming season.

• How well can you throw an out pattern?
• Perhaps some basic knowledge of gyroscopic stability and vector analysis will help.
• Wondering how to improve your time in the 40-yard sprint? Newton’s Laws of Motion are here for you.

It takes great mental ability to be a professional football player and our sample Wonderlic test will let you compare yourself to the players. Our newest exhibition – Boost! – also showcases important physical skills that are on display at training camp including bench press, balance and vertical leap.

Starting July 30, Museum guests will be able to see the three Lombardi trophies celebrating the Washington Redskins’ Super Bowl victories.

In order to make sure that members and guests have full access to summer fun at the Science Museum of Virginia, we’ve opened additional parking spaces!  Museum parking will continue to be free for all guests and members.

Training Camp dates:

July 25 – 27

July 29 – August 3

August 5 – 6

August 10

August 12 – 16

The Science Museum of Virginia is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com

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:

1. With a bit of practice, we could both learn to walk a tight rope!
2. Brian could squeeze me into a travel golf bag if he ever needed to (which I sure hope he doesn’t).
3. Brian can bench press WAY more than me, big surprise, but I can jump higher than him relative to our respective heights.
4. 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!!
5. 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

Please visit websites or call to confirm dates and times of events – they may change after posting here.

Have an event to add to our calendar? Email us at christa@richmondmom.com! Don’t forget to check your Richmondmom.com Savvy Saver card for great savings at many local events and activities for kids and adults. Don’t have a card? No worries – download a copy here!

Now Through Saturday, June 8

Puritan Cleaners 100,000 Meals for Kids – Puritan Cleaners partners with the Central Virginia Food Bank & Feedmore each Spring to raise food & funds to help feed kids during the summer months when they are out of school and the need for food increases. This year’s 100,000 Meals collection runs from May 19th to June 8th.  Bring your non-perishable food or funds to any Puritan Cleaners location.  Every donation is needed and appreciated.

Now Through August 18

SYMMETREES at The Science Museum of Virginia. Photographer and sculptor John Moser shares his unique view of fallen trees in Central Virginia forests by capturing their photos, then enhancing them so that the images take on a life of their own. Included with exhibit admission. Free for members.

Now Through September 6

Flight of the Butterflies - The Science Museum of Virginia: Read our Real Richmond Review. Migrate with hundreds of millions of Monarch butterflies across North America! Discover the hideaway of these magnificent creatures – a secret that was unlocked after 40 years of research by Dr. Fred Urquhart. Immerse yourself in this compelling adventure as you find a super generation of butterflies who miraculously travel to a new and remote destination. Experience firsthand the beauty of the migration cycle of butterflies spanning not only thousands of miles but generations!

Monday, June 3, 2013

CMoR’s Magic Mondays with extended summer hours with fun activities each weeknight! All Summer Nights activities are free with museum admission. A variety of food options are available at the Seymour Snack Shack including frozen yogurt, popcorn, snow cones and a variety of hot and cold beverages like coffee and juice.

They Call it Stormy Weather: How Artists See the Weather and the Seasons. 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. LAST DAY!

Game On! at Clover Hill Library. Visit the library to play Wii games and hang out with friends. No registration is necessary – just stop by and join the fun. Clover Hill Library.

Volunteen in Goochland – looking for a teen volunteer opportunity for the summer?  Find out how you can help the library during our Summer Reading Program. Pizza & drinks provided by the Friends of the Goochland Library.

Tuesday, June 4

CMoR’s extended summer hours with fun activities each weeknight! All Summer Nights activities are free with museum admission. A variety of food options are available at the Seymour Snack Shack including frozen yogurt, popcorn, snow cones and a variety of hot and cold beverages like coffee and juice. Tuesday: Open mic night couldn’t be any cuter! Kiddos can sing their favorite tunes on the CMoR karaoke machine!

Flying Squirrels Baseball Game – The Diamond. The Moonshiners Appearance – Tim & Tickle presented by K95. Game time 6:35pm, gates open at 5:35pm.

Club Mom from 9am-11am.  Chesterfield Towne Center.  A great opportunity for your child to learn in a fun, interactive setting. Great entertainment, fun giveaways for the adults, and free breakfast for children 12 years or younger.

Wednesday, June 5

Wine Down to benefit Tricycle Gardens at the Wine Loft in Short Pump. Join the fun and help raise money for this important cause. Learn more here. 

CMoR’s Wild Wednesdays with extended summer hours with fun activities each weeknight! All Summer Nights activities are free with museum admission. A variety of food options are available at the Seymour Snack Shack including frozen yogurt, popcorn, snow cones and a variety of hot and cold beverages like coffee and juice.

Scents of Serenity - Please join us for this informative and fun weight loss workshop taught by our special guest speaker, Mandi Felici from Northern Virginia. She will be sharing health and nutrition tips as well as teaching on how to incorporate doTERRA’s nutritional supplements, protein drinks, and most of all our amazing CPTG Essential Oils to achieve weight loss! We will be sampling doTERRA’s Slim and Sassy blend and protein drinks.  Space is limited. Click to register or call Melanie at (804)277-4498.

Lunch Break at the Science Museum. Pack a lunch and join us.  Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Free. June 5:  Energy and the Evolution of Culture presented by Anthropology Professor Emeritus Nancie Gonzales, Ph.D., University of Michigan.

Drop in and Dig at Lewis Ginter. Families are invited to drop-in and participate in simple, easy to learn gardening tasks under the guidance of Children’s Garden staff and volunteers.

Parenting the High Maintenance Child. Some children seem to require more time and energy than others. If you find yourself exhausted by and impatient with your child, this class is for you. Learn tips for managing meltdowns and tantrums. Find ways to help children to be more self-regulating. Register: 804-545-1272 with Commonwealth Parenting.

St. John’s Church Foundation has presented historical reenactments at the original location of the Second Virginia Convention of March 1775. Professional actors in 1770s attire portray ten delegates, including Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. The delegates engage in the debates and arguments of the Second Virginia Convention, which lead up to Patrick Henry’s immortal “Give me liberty or give me death!” speech. 1:00 pm Doors open, seating is on first come, first serve basis 1:30 pm Music program 2:00.

Food Court Truck at Chesterfield Town Center. Weekly, on Wednesdays from 6pm to 9pm through September 25th, that’s 22 weeks of RVA Foodies cuisine at Chesterfield Towne Center. Where: Outside in CTC’s Parking Lot, Mall Entrance on Koger Center Boulevard (Outer Sears Parking Lot). Each event will be based on weather permitting. Facebook posts on the Mall’s page will happen every Wednesday at 3pm to confirm the night’s event and the RVA Foodies will post and tweet the event as well.

Flying Squirrels Baseball Game – 6:35pm at The Diamond. Community Association Night presented by Hot 100.9.

Innsbrook After Hours. 5pm.

Thursday, June 6

CMoR’s Theater Thursdays with extended summer hours with fun activities each weeknight! All Summer Nights activities are free with museum admission. A variety of food options are available at the Seymour Snack Shack including frozen yogurt, popcorn, snow cones and a variety of hot and cold beverages like coffee and juice.

Summer Sounds at Stony Point Fashion Park. Thursday, June 6, 2013 Fetherston, Tiller, & Holmes (Rock, Top 40).

2013 Virginia Homeschool Convention –“Home Education: A Bountiful Harvest”. Held June 6-8, 2013, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, this promises to be another awesome, bring-the-whole-family event–you won’t want to miss it! Details on this year’s speakers and exhibitors–along with many of last year’s exciting new features–will be coming soon. Save the date and check back often to get the latest convention news! Click here for convention registration prices and information.

Barnes & Noble Storytime. 10:30am each Friday. Join us each Thursday for our Children’s Storytime. On the fourth Thursday of each month, we’ll have a special visit from Seymour and the Children’s Museum.

Words that Work with Preschoolers aged 2-4 yrs. When: June 6, 2013 | From 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Cost: 30. Commonwealth Parenting | commonwealth parenting in Continental Building. It’s not just what you say, but how you say it that gets results. Learn more effective communication skills that will stop undesirable behavior and encourage cooperation. Get practical tips to avoid power struggles

Parts of Arts at the Museum. 10am-11am at the Virginia Museum of Arts – Preschool Programs.

Flying Squirrels. Fitness Night & Fireworks presented by Coventry, Ford & ESPN 950.  Game time is 6:35pm, gates open at 5:35pm.

The 37th Annual Norfolk Harborfest®  happens Thursday, June 6 – Sunday, June 9, 2013 at Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront. The Festival kicks off with the return of the AT&T HarborFEAST Seafood Sampler on Thursday, June 6th from 6pm-9pm and continues through the weekend with 3 full days of FREE, fresh, family-friendly FUN!

Friday, June 7

CMoR’s Fine Arts Friday with extended summer hours with fun activities each weeknight! All Summer Nights activities are free with museum admission. Guest artists and art demonstrations will be featured along with special activities to inspire budding artists. Children can take part in creating a progressive outdoor mural that will become the focal point to the museum entrance!

Kids Night Out at All Fired Up. All Fired Up location, kids create a project from wet clay and glaze a ceramic piece plus a pizza dinner is included. Register: 804-744-5506 or 804-355-3412.

Summer Sounds at Stony Point Fashion Park. Friday, June 7, 2013 Tammi Kamin Band (Full Flavor Rock).

First Friday Samplers at Visual Arts Center of Richmond. Food trucks, friends, and fun. A creative outing and lots of activities and great food.

Pocahontas State Park - Outdoor performance by the Embers, a legendary beach-music band that hails from North Carolina. Bring a blanket and a picnic.

Teen Extreme. Teens will have a night jam-packed with activities including basketball, air hockey, ping-pong and Xbox. Eastern Henrico Rec Center. 1440 N. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA.

2013 Virginia Homeschool Convention –“Home Education: A Bountiful Harvest”. Held June 6-8, 2013, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, this promises to be another awesome, bring-the-whole-family event–you won’t want to miss it! Details on this year’s speakers and exhibitors–along with many of last year’s exciting new features–will be coming soon. Save the date and check back often to get the latest convention news!

The 37th Annual Norfolk Harborfest®  happens Thursday, June 6 – Sunday, June 9, 2013 at Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront. The Festival kicks off with the return of the AT&T HarborFEAST Seafood Sampler on Thursday, June 6th from 6pm-9pm and continues through the weekend with 3 full days of FREE, fresh, family-friendly FUN!

Saturday, June 8

2013 Virginia Homeschool Convention –“Home Education: A Bountiful Harvest”. Held June 6-8, 2013, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, this promises to be another awesome, bring-the-whole-family event–you won’t want to miss it! Details on this year’s speakers and exhibitors–along with many of last year’s exciting new features–will be coming soon. Save the date and check back often to get the latest convention news!

Farmers Market at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.  8 a.m.-noon. Fifth season for the Farmers Market @ St. Stephen’s (6000 Grove Avenue). Continues every Saturday through October 26, rain or shine. More than 30 farmers and other vendors, all local. Children’s activities, chef demos, music, ample free parking.

Boxer Brief Battle 5k Run at Rocketts Landing. The “Boxer Brief Battle” 5K Run is the first event offered by HCB2.  The event focuses on colon cancer prevention and raising funds for colon cancer research, screening assistance, and advocacy. Proceeds of the 2013 “Boxer Brief Battle” 5K Run will benefit the American Cancer Society and “Access Now”. Several sponsors including Colon and Rectal Specialists of Richmond.

Lowe’s Monster Growers - It’s going to be a monster summer at Lowe’s! Bring your child to Lowe’s this Saturday and they can build these awesome Mike and Sulley Scarers inspired by Disney•Pixar’s upcoming release Monsters University!

Abby’s Race for Hope 5K Run/Walk:  Packet pickup 7:45AM.  Race 9:00AM.  Saturday, June 8th, Bryan Park, Shelter 1, Richmond.  $15 to $25.  Kids under 6 free.  Stroller friendly.  Raffle after race (tickets $5/each).  Proceeds to benefit Abby’s Race for Hope Trust and STOPCMV.org. Register on website.

Summer Sounds at Stony Point Fashion Park. Saturday, June 8, 2013 Ban Caribe (Calypso, Island Pop).

Stop Hunger Now Packaging Event. Visualize a world without Hunger. On behalf of the 925 million people who suffer and the 25,000 people who die each day from hunger-related causes – the end to hunger is possible. WE NEED YOUR HELP! All you need to do is VOLUNTEER and show up for the second annual Stop Hunger Now campaign.

Summer Ready Party at Ginter Park Library. Come and register for the Summer Reading Program. It doesn’t matter what your age is there is a program just for you. Get some energy jumping in our bounce house and enjoy a sno-cone.

Journey to the Center of the Universe to eat your weight in strawberries! While you’re in the Center of the Universe, there will be bands, local vendors, foodstuffs, and other family-friendly events. If you’ve got kids in tow, the odds are super high of catching a train from extremely close proximity as it makes its way through Ashland. Free! 10am-5pm. Randolph Macon College.

AARF with Paws in the Park! Join us in celebrating AARF’s 20th year in rescue! Paws in the Park this year is bigger than ever! Live music by Starlighter and Wayne Ruotolo, Food, Silent Auctions, Pet Blessing, Pet Photo and Kissing Booths, Moon Bounce, Henrico County Fire Truck, Pet Masseuse, Lots of great Vendors, Rescue Groups with Adoptable Animals, Henrico County K9 Unit Demo, Face Painting & Kids Craft Table, and much more! Pets welcome and encouraged with proof of rabies and no retractable leashes please.

American Civil War Center at Tredegar - Storytelling is one of the world’s oldest traditions. Enslaved African Americans used storytelling as a way of communicating with each other and to preserve their heritage. These stories were used to help teach children how to behave, to explain the world around them and the behavior of animals and sometimes even to poke fun at the masters and themselves.

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival: The name says it all. Taking place at Richmond Raceway Complex.  This year’s show is lookin’ better than ever. Over 30,000 beer and bourbon lovers have joined us for the last three years and this year is sure to be another SELL OUT!

Free Irish Dance Class at Heart of Ireland School of Dance. Try Irish dancing and see what all the fun is about. Open to all ages, register by calling 804-464-8190.

Free event – Jammin on the James - Bring a picnic dinner and your favorite lawn chair for family-friendly music on our scenic terrace overlooking the James River.  Enjoy complimentary walk-through tours of Wilton as well as face painting, games, and crafts for kids.

Moonlight Magic. The 11th Annual Moonlight Magic at James River Cellars will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2013. This sell-out event is a favorite among supporters of Massey and lovers of wine and craft beer. Plan to join us for musical stylings of The Remnants, tastings of local craft beer by Hardywood Brewery and wine by James River Cellars, the gourmet cuisine of Champagne Taste Catering, as well as exciting silent and live auctions. General admission tickets are $45 in advance, $50 at the door.For tickets and additional information, visit our website.

Free Family Fishing. It’s National Fishing Month! Courthouse Park – no fishing license needed.  Food vendors will be on site to purchase a picnic style dinner of hot dogs, chips and drinks; and the Kona Ice Truck will also stop by for some refreshing treat options.

The 37th Annual Norfolk Harborfest®  happens Thursday, June 6 – Sunday, June 9, 2013 at Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront. The Festival kicks off with the return of the AT&T HarborFEAST Seafood Sampler on Thursday, June 6th from 6pm-9pm and continues through the weekend with 3 full days of FREE, fresh, family-friendly FUN!

Special Olympics Virginia’s Summer Games. 9am-3pm. Summer Games, Special Olympics Virginia’s largest statewide competition, is nothing short of legendary thanks to the overwhelming support of more than 3,000 local volunteers who brave the summer heat to assist with competitions and events throughout the weekend. 1,300 Special Olympics Virginia athletes come from all corners of the state to go for the gold in swimming, softball, track & field, bowling and tennis competitions.

Southern Food Festival at Welborne Church. 11:30. – 3:00 p.m. Great food. BBQ chicken and pork. Southern sides. Great desserts. Music by 3 bands. Fun and games for kids.

Colonial Downs 17th Annual Season Opener. Enjoy the start of summer with the 17th Annual Thoroughbred Season Opener at Colonial Downs! Bring your family and friends to an exciting evening that is fun for all ages. Post Time is 6pm. Admission is $3. For more information, visit the website.

Sunday, June 9

Summer Sounds at Stony Point Fashion Park. Sunday, June 9, 2013 Emme St. James (Jazz and Standards).

Lowe’s Monster University Scarers and Growers - It’s going to be a monster summer at Lowe’s! Bring your child to Lowe’s this Saturday and they can build these awesome Mike and Sulley Scarers inspired by Disney•Pixar’s upcoming release Monsters University!

The 37th Annual Norfolk Harborfest®  happens Thursday, June 6 – Sunday, June 9, 2013 at Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront. The Festival kicks off with the return of the AT&T HarborFEAST Seafood Sampler on Thursday, June 6th from 6pm-9pm and continues through the weekend with 3 full days of FREE, fresh, family-friendly FUN!

Free Admission to the Nature Center. Maymont Nature Center.

Father’s Day Celebration at Ukrop Park - Come celebrate the gift of fatherhood at Richmond’s newest location for activity. In addition to some swimming pool fun, there will be field games, cornhole, bounce houses, “The Fastest Dad in Richmond” contests (both swimming and running) and a special presentation. 804-288-3431.

1st Annual Bacon Festival: Yes, you read that right. It’s the first annual Bacon Festival at the 17th Street Farmer’s Market where you can sample local bacon dishes with live music and great craft beers.

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

CLICK HERE TO ENTER BY JUNE 11 AT NOON TO WIN 4 TICKETS!

Now, you can enjoy this family-friendly interactive exhibit at the Science Museum of Virginia for free if you’re the lucky winner a family 4-pack of tickets. It’s easy – just enter our contest here to win. Entries must be submitted no later than Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at noon. We’ll announce our winner on Facebook on June 12.

Click here to read more on our site about Robots + Us.

According to the Science Museum website, you can:

• Participate in a series of activities that demonstrate the similarities between humans and artificial life.
• Observe how the mechanics of living creatures have influences the design of modern robots.
• Look at a variety of robotic “pet” toys as you question the plausibility of these mechanical companions.
• Explore the world of robots as you uncover innovative advancements in technology!
• And much more!

Check out the latest exhibit to land at the Science Museum and enter our contest to win tickets. Watch for our Real Richmond Review coming soon!

Science Museum of Virginia is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com

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May 25, 2013 to September 6, 2013

Science Museum of Virginia is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com

And don’t miss our SuperMom Contest – nominate a mom to win over $3,000 in prizes!

Have an event to add to our calendar? Email us at kate@richmondmom.com! Don’t forget to check your Richmondmom.com Savvy Saver card for great savings at many local events and activities for kids and adults. Don’t have a card? No worries – download a copy here!

ONGOING

RevQuest: The Lion and The Unicorn game returns to Colonial Williamsburg’s Revolutionary City for the spring break season through April 21. Participants in the alternate reality game join the Friends of Liberty while they save the American Revolution by protecting the identity of an important patriot spy. During summer 2012, more than 19,000 gamers participated in the game’s first full season.

Raise the Roof at the Science Museum of Virginia. Check out our Real Richmond Review here and register to win 5-pack of tickets here. 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.

Born to be Wild at IMAX Dome. 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. Showing through April 30.

Check out tons of fun and events at the Science Museum at this link.

Now Through April 15, 2013

Help raise $25,151 by April 13, 2013 for cancer.

Now Through Sunday May 12, 2013

Architecture in Virginia: The Old Dominion - 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.

Now Through Monday, June 3

They Call it Stormy Weather: How Artists See the Weather and the Seasons. 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.

Now Through the End of the Year

Runs, Walks, and Marathons

Monday April 1 – Tuesday, April 30, 2013

4th Annual LEGO Contest and Display. Calling all LEGO enthusiasts! It is time for the 4th annual Twin Hickory LEGO Contest.

E-Cycling at the Science Museum of Virginia. Recycle electronics and celebrate environmentalism!

HAPPENING THIS WEEK!

Monday, April 8

Back to School!

Flying Squirrels baseball is in full swing. 6:35 pm (gates open 5:35pm). at The Diamond. Reading Night and $1 Hot Dogs by Affiliated Dermatologists of VA & Q94.

Tuesday, April 9

Flying Squirrels to benefit Massey Cancer Center.Grab family, friends and coworkers to join us Tuesday, April 9, as the Richmond Flying Squirrels partner with VCU Massey Cancer Center to raise funds to benefit the HDL, Inc. Massey Challenge.Doors open at 5:30pm. The game begins at 6:35 p.m., rain or shine. Tickets are $7 and are GENERAL ADMISSION tickets. (So, you don’t have to worry about assigned seating) Tickets purchased will be available at next to will call at the Massey Challenge table.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month — a month dedicated to raising awareness of sexual violence and educating communities on resources. Safe Harbor will be honoring this month through social media and local events including April 9 — Take Back the Night at University of Richmond, 7:30 p.m. University Forum.

Short Pump Pals Clubhouse meeting at 11am at Short Pump Mall. It’s free for kids.

KidsDineFree.net donates to Jack & Abby Foundation. 5-7pm. Come out and help support the Jack and Abby Neonatal Foundation on April 9 at TGIFridays in Midlothian (13140 Rittenhouse Dr.).  Present your KidsDineFree.net cards when dining, and 15% of your bill will be donated to the Jack and Abby Foundation.

Wednesday, April 10

The April Wine Down will benefit the Junior League of Richmond. The Junior League of Richmond is an organization of women committed to the mission of promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

Virginia Repertory Theatre, Federal Realty and the Shops at Willow Lawn Announce the Dedication of the Children’s Theatre of Virginia. Ribbon Cutting to take place Wednesday, April 10 at 11 am

Lunch Break Science at the Museum. Noon-1pm – FREE. The Past, Present, and Future of Fossil Fuel Production in Virginia presented by Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy State Geologist David B. Spears.

Flying Squirrels baseball is in full swing. 10:35 am at The Diamond. Education Day presented by Partners Financial Federal Credit Union & ESPN 950. Gates open 9:35am

Mommy & Me and Daddies Too at Willow Lawn. Say hello to Katie at the Richmondmom.com table! Have fun with Hope Harris.

Thursday, April 11

Kindergarten registration for all Richmond area schools – for kids turning 5 by September 30, 2013.

The Culture of Girls 9-14 years from 12:30pm-1:30pm.  Delivered by Commonwealth Parenting.  Pre-registration is required.

Friday, April 12

Thomas Jefferson Birthday Celebration. President Thomas Jefferson will be honored at the Virginia State Capitol on Friday, April 12, 2013, the day before the 270th anniversary of his birth. The event is free and open to the public. Guests should enter the Capitol at the visitor’s entrance on Bank Street and ask for directions to the Jefferson Room.

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

The Science Museum of Virginia has answers to these questions and many more at their upcoming “Raise the Roof” exhibit.

• Watch the explosive work of Controlled Demolition, Inc. as they destroy buildings in the exhibition’s demolition theater!
• Play an interactive videogame to design a doghouse that can survive snow blower blizzards and sprinkler floods.
• Discover what creatures share our homes with us all the time.
• Look into a model-sized home that demonstrates how dangerous conditions can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Sit in the main street of a small city and change the exterior of the buildings.
• Use a series of hands-on activities to explore the planning, building and destroying of every day structures.

This and so much more is in store for you. Get ready – because “Raise the Roof” is coming soon. Click here for details and dates.

The Science Museum of Virginia is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com