Open Memorial Day! Purchase tickets online to save $2
The Lab will be open Monday through Friday, 9am – 3pm for school groups, private groups and special programs.
The Lab will be open for timed-entry sessions Weekends only: 10 am – 12 pm and 2 pm – 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday for General Admission.
Tickets are available for pre-purchase online to encourage “touch free” or “low touch” entry to the Lab.
Please note that tickets are currently available up to 18 days in advance. New time slots open on Wednesday for 2 weekends from that date. If you are planning a visit more than eighteen days away, please head back to the website to purchase your tickets at a later time.
To moderate the flow of guests, the Lab is offering timed tickets with pre-reserved entry times and a limited number of tickets available in each entry time.
We’re following restaurant seating rules (minus the buzzing coasters), so guests should arrive at their selected time. If a guest is more than 10 minutes late for their reservation, we will offer the reservation to walk-up guests. We encourage guests to show up 5 minutes prior to their scheduled time for check-in and maximizing time spent inside the Lab.
Lab members must reserve a ticket for admission. Members should log in with their email and password before adding tickets to your cart to receive the membership free admission.
Guests wishing to purchase tickets under the ASTC/ACM reciprocity benefit can email tickets@childsci.org for a promo code before purchasing tickets online. Guests will be asked to show membership card and proof of ID at check-in.
Guests wishing to purchase tickets using Gift Tickets can email tickets@childsci.org for their promo code before purchasing tickets online.
With at least 7 days’ notice, tickets are fully refundable. With at least 48 hours notice, we will make every effort to transfer your tickets to another day and time within 30 days of your original ticket reservation. Please contact us at: tickets@childsci.org or 703-648-3130 ext 6. Unfortunately, if rescheduling does not work, or it is less than 48 hours before your scheduled time slot, we are unable to offer a refund.
It is recommended that masks be worn while visiting the Lab, but not required.
Our staff will be wearing masks.
We will continue to monitor the recommended guidelines put forth by the CDC and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
We have installed additional hand sanitizing stations throughout the Lab and ask guests to use these stations often throughout their visit.
Guests are asked to follow social distancing as best as possible.
Guests will line up outside the Lab entrance in order to complete the arrival check-in process.
We recommend you arrive 5 minutes prior to your timed entry. All ticketed guests will be checked in prior to any walk-up inquiries.
A Lab Guest Services staff member will be available to assist guests as needed, but the check-in process has been designed to be as “low touch” as possible. We have installed plexiglass windshields at the Guest Services desk for extra safety.
Maintain a safe distance from other guests.
Be mindful that others may be waiting to visit the space, and sharing is caring!
Help yourself to two handwashing stations (1) in the bathroom or (2) in the Garage.
No food or drink other than water is allowed in the Lab.
Water bottles are allowed. Lowering your mask to drink will be permitted at the Hydration Station only (chairs near the water fountain). Water fountains will not be available for drinking.
Whenever possible, only one family at a time should be in the restrooms.
Thorough cleaning and sanitizing have always been a critical part of our daily operations; however, we have implemented enhanced cleaning measures and policies for our reopening. Our cleaning procedures are based on the Centers for Disease Control guidelines.
Deep cleaning takes place daily when the Lab is closed using a professional janitorial service. The floors are mopped and vacuumed, restrooms are cleaned, and all surfaces are wiped down.
Our Lab staff cleans the facility between each session, as well as sanitizing high touch surfaces and hands on items in each gallery.
We have installed additional hand sanitizing stations throughout the Lab.
The following air quality measures have been instituted based on current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). ∙ The lab has 4 Air Handling Units (AHU), each of which operates between 1600 and 1800 CFP (cubic feet per minute) air flow. Each unit is triple filtered. The Lab has replaced each filter with hospital grade MERV 13 filters to capture more contaminates. These more advanced filters address pollen, dust, dust mites, mold, bacteria, pet dander, oil smoke, smoke, smoke and virus carriers.
Staff have gone through training sessions to understand and implement the Lab’s modified procedures and sanitation practices.
Staff will always wear masks when interacting with guests.
Staff will be wearing the Lab uniform.
Thank you for your continued support!
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.
