“Know Before You Go:” Science + You presented by Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region
First impressions are everything. In this situation I emplore you to ignore the first impressions and give the Science + You exhibit a chance.
When you first walk into the Science + You exhibit, managed by Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region and underwritten by the Abbott Fund, you will immediately notice that it is set-up inside of an unfinished room of the Foundry Lofts…YES, as in concrete floors and drywall. Well, this is definitely a case of “you can’t judge a book by its cover!” Both children (and mommy) LOVED it and here’s why:
1) Hands-On Fun
Designed for ages 3-8, every aspect of the exhibit is hands-on. From these first moments until the last, the exhibit is full of buttons, colors and lights that make everything they learn fun and exciting.
2) Age-appropriate Education
How do you teach a 4-year-old about germs, antibodies, and white blood cells? Well, they get to grab hold of an antibody (that’s magnetized), move it around to grab a germ (represented as the colored balls that are also magnetized) and then drop it in the “mouth” of a white blood cell. They eat germs after all!
Similarly, comparing and contrasting the methods that scientists mix and separate liquids and solids is not an easy lesson. That is, unless Living Classrooms and Abbott have anything to do with it!
They also didn’t skimp on using the proper terminology but provided age-appropriate definitions complete with great photos! Be sure to check out the glove hoods, microscopes, test tube peg board and test kitchen!
3) Review
Before leaving, each child can use magnets with photos, sentences and terminology to make a “plate” describing what they learned at the exhibit.
4) Friendly team
There’s nothing like walking into a place meant for children and feeling the love from the staff. The team regularly engaged RJ (and tried with Rielle) as we walked through the exhibit.
So, despite their digs, I would highly recommend the Science + You Exhibit. Just ignore the floors and walls and you’ll be a-ok!
Science + You
Foundry Lofts
301 Tingey Street, SE
Washington, DC
http://www.scienceplusyou.com/visit
PREMIUM SUBSCRIBERS: Click HERE for your inside scoop!
This one wakes up the scientist in me! Looks like fun.
Lisa, from one nerd to another, you will definitely enjoyed it just as much as your princess!
Without this review I wouldn’t have known this place existed! Thanks so much. This was right on time because I’m creating our summer activity calendar right now.
YAY Joanne! And this is going through the summer so you have plenty of opportunities to get down there!
Thanks for this great article! Science + You is awesome and you can’t complain about FREE!