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programs and activities 

Science-By-Van brings Science to you!

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
	ten 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

More than 20 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?
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.
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.
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.

Click here for a Science-By-Van Application

Fees for school programs are based on a day that includes
ten class periods of student workshops.

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.