The James E. Richmond Science Center is hosting several events this winter that are new and open to the community. Schedule details and event costs for all Science Center shows and activities are posted to the Center website at https://sciencecenter.ccboe.com/.
Launching Nov. 18 is Mesmerica 360 Southern Maryland, a groundbreaking immersive audio-visual experience running in planetariums and dome venues across the U.S. and Canada. The show is an hour long and combines creator James Hood's music with curated 3-D animations from artists around the world.
Mesmerica features 360-degree projections with advanced 7.1 surround sound. This show is available on Saturdays with show times set for Nov. 18, 25 and Dec. 2. Ticket prices are $12 for children ages 6-12, and costs range for adult tickets depending on requested seating and available additional add-ons.
Roll into the Science Center for a Snowman Party. This year marks 10 years since the Science Center launched this holiday-themed event for the community to support an appreciation of science throughout Southern Maryland. This year’s Snowman Party will feature the popular “Snow Globes on a Sphere” contest. The Snow Globes on a Sphere concept brings together the technology and arts in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics). Students in kindergarten through Grade 12 in Southern Maryland are invited to submit their Snowman Party themed artwork to be transformed into a giant 6-foot snow globe on the center's NOAA Science On a Sphere® exhibit.
The public is then invited to see the winning snow globes and enjoy a double-feature in the Science Center’s 60-foot 360-degree dome theater, the largest planetarium in Maryland, on Saturday, Dec. 16. Along with viewing the seasonal music-filled “Let it Snow” and “The Light Before Christmas” full-dome movies, several Snowman Party STEM activities will be available. Seasonal full-dome movies will be available throughout December.
The Science Center is also hosting a free planetarium show, “Our Sky Tonight” on Monday, Dec. 11. Sponsored by Educational Systems Federal Credit Union (ESFCU), the semi-monthly planetarium show will feature highlights of the night sky over Southern Maryland for the early winter season, an informative visualization of the winter solstice, and some winter holiday-themed storytelling of the stars. The show will also include a snowman-themed surprise for guests.
About the James E. Richmond Science Center and CCPS
The James E. Richmond Science Center provides dynamic STEAM experiences for over 24,000 students across over 300 field trip visits each year. Located on the campus of St. Charles High School in Waldorf, the Science Center is open to the public for 360° full dome movies, special events, and free planetarium shows. Exhibit highlights include Maryland’s largest planetarium, one of only 4 school-based NOAA Science On a Sphere® exhibits, a Newton’s Apple Gift Shop, custom-made interactives, and two satellites on loan from the Naval Research Lab. For inquiries, please contact Monique Wilson, Science Center Director, at 301-934-7464 or jersciencecenter@ccboe.com. The Science Center is located at 5305 Piney Church Road, Waldorf, MD 20602.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,598 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).