Science-By-Van brings the unique experience of the Science Museum of Virginia to localities throughout the commonwealth. This traveling science program presents informal educational experiences that are fun for all ages. Science-By-Van travels to elementary schools, fairs, libraries and special events.

School Programs

Science-By-Van presenters lead students through a full day packed with science adventures and activities. The day includes:

• presentations by two Science-By-Van educators
• an electrifying, 20 minute all-school assembly demonstration
• classroom workshops (limited to 25 students each)
• make-and-take science activities for each participant
• hands-on exhibits, displayed all day

All-School Assembly

Experience 100,000 volts of static electricity from the Van de Graaff generator. Science Museum educators make your hair stand on end in this dramatic demonstration that includes a discussion about lightning and the forces between charges.

Exhibits

Curiosity-provoking exhibits include:

Match the Bones

A skeleton has gone to pieces - students put it back together.

Arch Bridge

Teamwork is necessary as students build a bridge strong enough to walk across.

Hand Battery

Students actually become part of a battery that produces electrical energy.

Bernoulli Blower

Can a Ping-Pong ball fly in the air? Yes, it's the Bernoulli effect at work.

Classroom Workshops

Honeybees (grades K-2)

Compare your community to that of a bee while learning the role of each bee in the hive. How do bees communicate? Investigate the many different ways that honeybees help humans.

Dinosaurs! (grades K-2)

Step back in time and encounter the "terrible lizards" that roamed the earth during the Jurassic period. Examine ancient bones and fascinating fossils as you discover how dinosaurs lived. What became of these Mesozoic creatures?

Weather (grades K - 2)

Learn how climate changes affect living things and land surfaces.

Forest Ecosystems (grades 1-3)

Become part of a forest ecosystem and find out how it works. Watch out for those hungry foxes! Investigate how the sun nourishes the plants that ultimately provide food for animals and people.

New! Light and Color (grades 3 - 5)

How do scientists view colors? How does light affect our reception of colors? Learn about additive color while creating color disks.

Magnets (grades K - 2)

Explore the characteristics of magnets and investigate some of the everyday uses.

Stars and Constellations (grades K - 2)

Explore the wonders and drama of the night sky.

Mirrors (grades 3-4)

Compare fun house, rear view and plane mirrors and "reflect" on their differences. What do you see in a spoon? Analyze color, light and reflection as you create your own kaleidoscope.

Optical Illusions (grades 3-5)

Can you always believe what you see? Explore the world of optical illusions and learn how science can often explain what appears to be magical.

New! Sound (grades 3 - 5)

Create your own musical instrument as you “tune in” to our world of sound. Explore music and learn the science behind the sounds.

New! What's the Matter? (grades 3 - 5)

Explore states of matter, chemical symbols, atoms and chemical reactions in this “explosive” workshop.

Charged Up (grades 4-6)

Get all charged up during this activity that introduces simple, series and parallel circuits. Examine conductors and insulators in this electrifying workshop.

Solar Energy (grades 4-6)

How does a photovoltaic panel convert light energy to electrical energy? Find out in this workshop that highlights renewable sources of energy.

For more information about Science By Van call 804-864-1423, or email sbv@smv.org.

Science-By-Van is an ideal program for support from business partnerships and parent-teacher organizations. We may be able to assist your school in raising outside funds for this program. Give us a call at 804-864-1423.