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Science Café: "Market for Minerals, USGS, Steve Anderson"Future Rockville Science Café, Save the Date: Tuesday, June 19, 2012, Branded '72, 387 Gude Road, Rockville, MD 20850, 7:00-8:00 pm
Speaker: Steve Anderson. For more information contact Ruth Hanessian at 301-674-7884 or call the Rockville Science Center at 240-FUN-8111.
Science Café: "Wines of Maryland" Rockville Science Café, Save the Date: Tuesday, July 17, 2012, Branded '72, 387 Gude Road, Rockville, MD 20850, 7:00-8:00 pm
Speaker: TBD. For more information contact Ruth Hanessian at 301-674-7884 or call the Rockville Science Center at 240-FUN-8111.
Science Café: "Chocolates" Rockville Science Café, Save the Date: Tuesday, August 21, 2012, Branded '72, 387 Gude Road, Rockville, MD 20850, 7:00-8:00 pm
Speaker: TBD. For more information contact Ruth Hanessian at 301-674-7884 or call the Rockville Science Center at 240-FUN-8111.
Rockville Science Center is offering two sessions for Robotics and Geology summer programs at the Bullis School in Potomac Maryland from June 18 through August 10.
The Robotics: 101 "Pick-Three" schedule of classes, 8:45 am - 10:45 am June 18 - June 29 for Session 1; and same time for July 23-August 3, Session 3.
Geology & Exploration: July 9-July 20 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm for Session 2, and July 23-August 3 for Session 3. See details for registration. Space is limited. Sign up today. Space is almost full.
Click Here to View the Bullis Summer Program Video
Click Here to View the Pick-Three Schedule PDF file
Click Here to Go to the Bullis Website
Click Here for Bullis Summer Program website
Explorations! are events and/or field trips to science-oriented museums, interpretive centers and techno-attractions in the Baltimore-Annapolis- Washington region. The upcoming events are:
Location:
Geology Walk Field Trip from Great Falls Overlook Maryland to Mather Gorge on the Potomac River
When: Saturday, May 19, 2012, 12:30 - 3:15 pm
Meet: At fence outside Great Falls Tavern, C&O Canal National Historic Park, MD (enter on MacArthur Blvd. at Falls Rd., Potomac, MD).
Instructions for Mather Gorge:
PDF FORMS: Click on link to registration and waiver of liability forms.
MICROSOFT WORD FORM: Registration form only
PDF FORM: Waiver of Liability form only
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
Location: Walking tour of Stream Restoration, Storm Water Management (flood control) and Water Quality Protection Sites -- Watts Branch of Potomac River, Rockville, MD
When: Woodley Gardens, Saturday, June 23, 2012, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
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.
Objectives: 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 16 observers, middle school age and up. Details to follow in subsequent bulletins. Sign up now.
Instructions for Streams Restoration Walking Tour: Click on link to registration and waiver of liability forms.
If you are a MCPS teacher looking for field trip support, or would like a calendar of upcoming field trips contact Phil Justus at Explorations@RockvilleScienceCenter.org or call 240-FUN-8111.
Contact: Phil Justus at explorations@rockvillesciencecenter.org
The Science Center's first annual sponsorship of the Montgomery County Science Fair was successful, by several measures. This is a brief summary.
Each of ten of our time-honored associates and new-found friends volunteered their time on Saturday, March 17th at Reckord Armory, University of Maryland College Park. They judged 55 projects in the morning among three categories, Behavioral and Social Sciences, Biology, and Computer Sciences. After the afternoon interviews, they selected 16 awardees in our new (and innovative) award-category "excellence in the communication of science." This took over seven-hours (free lunch provided by ScienceMontgomery.org), while Maizie Roche and Tim Fahey stayed another hour to accurately prepare the 16 certificates to be awarded at Watkins Mills H.S. the next day - after being on their feet all day judging.
The awardees were all from the Junior level (Middle School) entrants and came from five different Middle Schools in the County. Bob Ekman and Phil Justus attended the award ceremony at Watkins Mill H.S., Sunday, March 18, from 2:00-4:00pm, where the awards were announced (for the first time...surprising the students and parents attending). That was a heart-warming occasion...the joy of the student winners, in our case 1st, 2nd, 3rd place, and Honorable Mentions for excellence in communication of science, was extraordinarily gratifying to us.
Some of our awardees are, coincidentally, in our Robotics Clubs (recognized by Bob Ekman)!
Science Montgomery Winners for "Excellence in Communications"
| Category | Place | Name | Topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 1st Place | Rachel Pastel | Leaf Those Trees Alone! |
| Biology | 2nd Place | Caroline Leng | How Does the Amount of Magnetite in Soil Affect Plant Growth? |
| Biology | 3rd Place | Jonathan D'Alessio |
Plants Growing in Different Conditions |
| Biology | Honorable Mention | Anthony Estime Matteo Patzy |
What Drinks Cause a Tooth Tissue Issue? |
| Biology | Honorable Mention | Joshua Chen | What is the Effect of Applying Different Antibiotics to Growing E. coli? |
| Behavioral | 1st Place | Lainey Reed |
Cicadian Changes |
| Behavioral | 2nd Place | Brittany Menjivar | Mirror, Mirror: An Analysis of Beauty and Its Correlation to Self-Esteem |
| Behavioral | 3st Place | Delia Chen |
Cicadian Changes |
| Behavioral | Honorable Mention | Harish Kumar | The Perceptional Journey of Humans Against Death |
| Computer Science | 1st Place | Suriya Kandaswamy |
Gesture Recognition in Mobile Device Security |
| Computer Science | 2nd Place | Devin Smedira | Fighting the Flu |
| Computer Science | 3rd Place | Aditya Kaliappan |
Effect of Algorithms and Data Types on Computer Processing Time |
| Computer Science | Honorable Mention | Eric Li Hansheng Zhang |
How Well Anti-Virus Softwares Perform |
Appreciation of Judges
Rockville Science Center appreciates the awardees and recognizes the judges for their extraordinary service to the community and the Science Center. I can tell you that the judges were smiling at the kids and at each other for the satisfaction they got out of their job for the day. I'm hopeful that they will do it again. The judges were, in no particular order (but all of the highest caliber), Maizie Roche, Tim Fahey (Dirigo Agency), Charles Gale, Ralph Bunday and his successor Peter Ostrander, Geoff Hunt (ASBMB), Harris Liebergot (NIST), his friend Murray Loew (GWU), Julia Brodsky, and Meena Ekambaram.
I believe our goal was fulfilled by this endeavor: to inspire a lifelong passion to explore science, cultivate a sense of inquiry and discovery and promote an understanding of how science impacts everyday life.
Phil Justus, Board of Trustee, Rockville Science Center
explorations@rockvillesciencecenter.org or call 240-FUN-8111.
Location: Washington, DC Convention Center, April 28-29, 2012
The Expo is the nation’s largest celebration of all things science & engineering and features over 2,000 hands-on activities and over 150 performances.
We have exciting new programs including a Book Fair, Featured Science & Engineering Authors and a Career Pavilion that includes a College Fair, a Job Fair and a Meet the Scientist/Engineer Networking area.
The Rockville Science Center exhibit material is in our exhibit booth and we have a great location. We are in booth 2449 near the super Lockheed Martin exhibit. Attached is our segment image of the greater map. Here is the full map http://c3067082.r82.cf0.rackcdn.com/2012ExpoMap_web3.pdf.
Bob Ekman will be down there on Friday and Saturday morning setting up the booth.
The Festival is open to the public on Saturday from 10am to 6pm and on Sunday from 10am to 4pm. I will be there the whole time along with other members of the Science Center. Our message is that Rockville and Montgomery County is a science and engineering community, with great opportunities for all.
Look for Rockville Science Center at
Exhibit in Hall B
Booth# 2449
Washington Convention Center
Directions: You can take the Metro to the Convention Center (Red Line to Gallery Place, then Yellow or Green Line on stop to Mt. Vernon Sq/7th St-Convention).
There is also parking in the area: http://www.dcconvention.com/Visitors/DirectionsParking/GettingHere.aspx
On Sunday, January 15, 2012, the Rockville Science Center brought together qualified judges and enthusiastic mentor/volunteers of teachers and engineers, who assisted in the FIRST® LEGO® League Robotics Competition Tournament for kids from the ages of 9 to 14 years old at the Universities at Shady Grove. About 500 participants, family and friends attended to watch 20 teams compete for prizes and the chance to go to the state final competition.
Space still open for the Robotics Camp at Twinbrook Recreation Center: August 2012 (space is almost full)
For more information about upcoming Robotics FIRST® LEGO LEAGUE® email Robotics@RockvilleScienceCenter.org or call 240-FUN-8111 and ask for Bob Ekman. (photo by Stuart Brothers)
Nature of Light, Lights Up! was a unique opportunity for VisArts and the Rockville Science Center to bring together a collaborative experience for both art and science. Ralph Bunday, Physics Teacher at Blair High School led a captivating two-part series discussion on "The Nature of Light and How We Experience it." The following two part series videos on YouTube provide a compelling story about the history of light as well as the nature of light and how we experience it.
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
Send us your ideas: info@RockvilleScienceCenter.org
You've heard of Art in Public Places -- Rockville Science Center is exploring installing science in public places! Plans are under way for providing science exhibits in public places around the city. Imagine one day you can walk into a science park! The idea is to spark the imagination and inspire children of all ages to think about how science affects their everyday life. What kind of ideas do you have? Send us your ideas to by calling 240-FUN-8111 or email us at info@RockvilleScienceCenter.org
Rockville City Hall: Monday, April 2, 2012
The City of Rockville is proclaiming April 15, 2012 Rockville Science Day.
Rockville Science Day, now in its 20th year, is an event recognized every year by the Mayor and Council, who are a co-sponsor, along with Montgomery College and the Rockville Consortium for Science.
Successful event: Sunday, April 15, 2012
Rockville Science Day is having their 20th Annual Science Day at Montgomery College, April 15, 2012, from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm..
For more information about exhibiting, attending and past Science Day events, please contact us at 240-FUN-8111 or email info@RockvilleScienceCenter.org or go to http://www.rockvillescience.org/rcsday.html
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
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.
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.
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