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What's Happening at the Rockville Science CenterStay informed by following us on Twitter @ScienceCafe, or LIKE US on Facebook. Please retweet or share our posts with your friends. To see a line up of videos on YouTube, see the videos below or go to YouTube.com/rockvillescience.
Science Café | Tuesday, May 21, 2013 | "Whole lot of Herpes going on... chicken pox, cold sores and beyond!" Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Branded 72, 387 E. Gude Drive, Rockville, MD 20850
And you thought Herpes was only cold sores and breakouts in other areas too embarrassing to mention here…. There are 9 different types of herpes and its more widespread than you may know. As we in the science community laugh at “it must be true if you see it on TV or read it on the Internet”, now you will know “The Rest of the Story…”
Dr. Louise Chatlynne is a retired scientist whose research was centered on the HHV-6 (A&B types). She is an active Sigma Xi member.
For more information contact Ruth Hanessian at 301-674-7884 email or call the Rockville Science Center at 240-FUN-8111.
Rockville Science Cafés are free and open to all.

June 1, 2013 | 9:30am - 12:00pm
Branded 72, 387 E. Gude Drive, Rockville, MD 20850
Walking Tour of Stream Restoration, Storm Water Management (flood control) and Water Quality Protection Sites at Watts Branch of Potomac River, Rockville, MD – Saturday June 1, 2013, 9:30am - 12:00pm
Meet Trip Leader at Woodley Gardens Park
Trip Leader: Lise Soukup
Trip Coordinator: Dr. Phillip Justus
Limit: 22 participants Free Event
Age Limit: Middle School or above
Purpose: Observe examples of how City of Rockville has curtailed erosion of streams and controlled periodic flooding in several neighborhoods in the Watts Branch watershed, and improved the quality of water draining into the Potomac. Also, observe a stream restoration project in early design phase.
Observations: Gain understanding of basic principles of environmental science and engineering practices used throughout the Metropolitan region to protect property and water quality in suburban setting from recurring flooding, as applied by the Environmental Division, Department of Public Works. Most sites are public parks or 'green' playgrounds tucked amid developments.
The Plan: Division Manager will guide our group to four accessible sites (Woodley Gardens Park, Upper Watts Branch neighborhoods, College Gardens Park). Travel by vehicle caravan (free parking in parks and on street), all within a few miles of each other. Trip limited to 22 observers, middle school age and up. Details for those who register: Sign up now.
Next step:
1) Fill out registration and sign liability form. Download Registration Form
Send registration form to: explorations@rockvillesciencecenter.org
2) Bring Release of Liability form to event. Download the Release from Liability Form
For more information contact Stacie Hendersen at 240-FUN-8111 or email explorations@rockvillesciencecenter.org
Membership: Donate or join the "Friends of the Rockville Science Center"
We are already on the drawing board. Now help put us on the map. Make your contribution to science. The Rockville Science Center can only happen with the support of the region's citizens, businesses, educational, and scientific communities. Becoming a "Friends of the Rockville Science Center" is one way to show your support. A $20 annual Individual Membership, $40 for couples/families, $100 Corporate; and Sponsorships begins at $200. The membership entitles you to preference seating on upcoming Exploration trips, and announcements of upcoming Science Center events.
A sponsorship contribution of $200 or more entitles your organization to visibility through our Cafés emails, newsletters, website and more. For more information about sponsorship opportunities call Tim Fahey at 202-276-3263.
We are already on the drawing board. Now help put us on the map. Make your contribution to science. Click on the membership link below that best fits your membership needs. For more information about memberships call our office at 240-FUN-8111 or email info@RockvilleScienceCenter.org.
$20 Individual Membership
$40 Family Membership
$100 Corporate Membership
$200 Corporate Sponsor
Watch Rockville Science Center at YouTube.com/RockvilleScience anytime or anywhere.Watch and listen to it now. Click on the links below:
Nature of Light Part I: http://youtu.be/pnINpo8ghTA
Nature of Light Part II: hhttp://youtu.be/6GiMtmyc5uE
Are We Alone? Possibilities of Life in the Universe
Louis Mayo, NASA Goddard (Science Café, February 21, 2012)
Of all the bodies of the solar system, Earth stands alone as the only planet with clear evidence of life - a diversity of animal, plant, and microbial life are supported by flowing water and a thin nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere, on a planet with conditions that appear optimal for life to thrive and evolve. Watch and listen to it now.
Micro Medicine, Nano Technology and Cancer
Dr. Xiaoyuan (Shawn) Chen (Science Café, March 20, 2012)
Theranostic nanomedicine has evolved to encompass integrated, biocompatible nanoparticle platforms that contain both therapeutic and imaging components. Watch and listen to it now.
Testing the Waters: A Seafood Tale:
Using Hydrographic Dye Studies to Assess Pollution Impacts on Shellfish Growing
Dr. Julie Mayer, FDA (Science Café, April 17, 2012). The FDA is always at work keeping the road from harvest to table as clean and healthy as possible. Along these lines, current research uses fluorescent dyes to track pollution in the open ocean. Watch and listen to it now!
You won't want to miss: "See Julie vomits dye near fish farm"
Predictive Neurotechnology: Minority Report and More
Professor James Giordano, Ph.D. (Science Café, May 15, 2012)
Neuroscience and neurotechnology (so-called "neuroS&T") are being increasingly viewed as having potential value to define predispositions to types of behavior, and thus may have some predictive value, and could be employed to allow preemptive interventions to deter the commission of crimes. Watch and listen now!
All Shook Up! Engineering for Earthquakes
Lisa Anderson, Senior Structural Engineer, Bechtel Power (Science Café, October 16, 2012)
Find out about Earthquake Engineering, how the soil influences the motion of the structure and the motion of the structure influences the response of the soil, current planning in "earthquake-prone regions," and Earthquake Analysis and Design. Watch and listen now!
The Rockville Science Center sponsorship from the BioMaryland Center.
Any organization interested in sponsorship may call the Rockville Science Center at 240-FUN-8111 or email info@rockvillesciencecenter.org
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The benefits of science are about to hit closer to home. Our Goal: To establish a science center in Rockville, Maryland that will inspire a lifelong passion to explore science, cultivate a sense of inquiry and discover and promote an understanding of how science impacts our everyday life.
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Rockville Science Center, Inc. brings together residents dedicated to raising our community’s understanding and appreciation of the science that underlies our every day lives and who are committed to seeing the Rockville Science Center come to fruition.
Why now?
The ability to think creatively, reason and solve problems logically, and evaluate the world we live in is critical to building a sustainable future.
Why Rockville?
This is where the action is for science, research and development. It’s an area that boasts more than 144 life science businesses with the Rockville zip code. It’s surrounded by world-class publicly and privately sponsored research and lab facilities and has one of the country’s highest concentrations of Ph.D.’s and scientists — along with forward-thinking parents, teachers and elected officials who are committed to seeing children succeed.
NIH, NIST, NASA, NOAA, EPA, USDA, USGS, CoE, DoE and DoD are within a 30-mile radius of Rockville. And in Montgomery County alone, you’ll find biotech and pharmaceutical firms alongside Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland at Shady Grove and Montgomery College.
How?
By launching a vibrant facility that offers people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to explore the wonders of science and connect with the scientific community in our region.
You may know of the Rockville Science Center from Science Day, the Robotics League and Science Cafes – monthly face-to-face conversations with local scientists from NIST, the J. Craig Venter Research Institute and Adventist HealthCare (to name just a few) on topics ranging from bioenergy research and genomics to robotics and astronomy.
However, our most important breakthrough – building the Rockville Science Center – lies ahead of us. And by working together, we can make it a reality.
The Rockville Science Center will provide access to exciting educational science experiences for visitors of all ages, opening doors onto the cutting-edge of theoretical and applied science work that is ongoing at laboratories, universities, research centers, federal agencies and businesses.
The economic realities of our times mandate that an endeavor such as this deliver a return on investment. At a time when stimulating economic growth is an imperative for local and regional governments, the Rockville Science Center is expected to:
Attract visitors to Rockville and Montgomery County and likely extend the stays of those who are visiting the Washington, D.C. area.
Encourage STEM-related careers and develop a self-sustaining science professional pipeline for local businesses, agencies and universities.
Provide a gateway to research initiatives in the region and increase local awareness of the I-270 science corridor.
The Rockville Science Center can only happen with the support of the region’s citizens as well as its business, educational and scientific communities. Since conducting a feasibility study for the science center, we have made significant inroads identifying potential partners and sponsors. However, the key to development is you.
To help make the Rockville Science Center a reality, please donate, and become a member.