Children’s Science Center field trips and assemblies are now available both in-person and virtual! These programs are designed for Pre-K to 6th grade students and are offered Monday through Friday between 10 AM and 4 PM. Our 45-minute virtual programs allow students to explore STEM concepts through interactive, fun, and engaging activities led by our STEM Educators.
Our in-person programs at the Lab can accommodate a class or grade level and includes 4 Hands-On Experience Areas.
For information on availability and pricing, please email fieldtrips@childsci.org.
Students will rotate through 4 experience areas:
Experiment Bar - The LAB STEM Educator leads the students in a pre-selected experiment to test out the scientific method by making a hypothesis, doing a hands-on experiment and observing what happens!
Tinker Shop - The LAB STEM Educator leads student’s in the pre-selected engineering activity to learn about the Engineering Design process.
Inspiration Hub - Explore different activities related to energy. Learn about gears, wind turbines, air rockets, chain reactions, and the cost and environmental impact of powering the city with combinations of fossil fuels and renewable energy sources.
Garage - Our Lab STEM Educators discuss architectural structures, stability, center of gravity, symmetry, measurements and/or surface area during this building activity.
Children’s Science Center field trips, animal encounters, and assemblies are now virtual! Contact fieldtrips@childsci.org to check availability.
Our 45-minute virtual programs allow students to explore STEM concepts through interactive, fun, and engaging activities led by our STEM Educators. These virtual programs are designed for Pre-K to 6th grade students and are offered Monday through Friday between 10 AM and 4 PM. For information on availability and pricing, please email fieldtrips@childsci.org.
K – 6th
We will explore aeronautics and the effects of air on objects through observation and experimentation.
Scientific and Engineering practices
Force, motion, energy
Paper (2-3 sheets)
Scissors
Tape
Straw if available (rolled paper also works)
Markers, pencils, crayons
K – 6th
Through the engineering process, we will create a
new rocket design and test its functionality while
learning about the solar system, rocketry, and
aerodynamics.
Scientific and engineering practices
Force, Motion, Energy
Earth and Space Systems
Our World; Our Responsibility
Paper
Scissors
Rubber bands, paper clips, and tape
Straws (if available)
Markers, pencils, crayons
K – 6th
From venomous fish to color changing lizards,
animals of all sorts have unique ways of surviving!
We will explore creatures big and small, from the
way they hunt, to the way they hide!
Living systems and Processes
Earth and Space Systems
Scientific and Engineering practices
Earth's Resources
Our World; Our Responsibility
Paper
Markers, pencil, crayons
Scissors
Jacket/Coat
Animal Dissections - 5th & up (including middle and high school!)
Plant Dissections – 1st – 6th grade
Get up close and personal to animal and plant parts - without the mess! Our expert STEM educators will do a live, virtual dissection to show the parts and functions of a variety of living materials.
Plant Dissections:
Scientific and Engineering Practices
Force, Motion, Energy
Living Systems and Processes
Earth and Space Systems
Earth Resources
Life Science
Animal Dissections:
Biology
Life Science
No Materials Required
Pre K - 6th
Engage your students virtually with a close-up look at our animal ambassadors. Learn about reptiles, amphibians, and a variety of invertebrates.
Living Systems & Processes
Earth and Space Systems
Earth Resources
No Materials Required
Large classes may require multiple dates to accommodate the entire class while maintaining the fire marshal code.
Lab memberships cannot be used for field trips.
Chaperones are not permitted to bring siblings on the field trip.
The Children’s Science Center Lab may limit a field trip’s size when scheduled during peak visitation times.
Other times may be considered on special request.
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.
