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2014 SESSION
WHEREAS, the Children’s Science Center, a planned children’s museum in Northern Virginia, has already inspired a love of learning by providing opportunities for children to explore, create, and be inspired through its Museum Without Walls program; and
WHEREAS, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills are critical to innovative new technologies and economic growth in the Commonwealth and the nation; and
WHEREAS, the Children’s Science Center’s vision is to create a world-class STEM-focused children’s museum that inspires generations to propel the Commonwealth to be the leader in innovation, science, and technology; and
WHEREAS, Northern Virginia is consistently ranked as one of the top metro areas in the country for science and technology employment, and more than 50 percent of the new jobs in Northern Virginia created in the next decade will require science and math skills; and
WHEREAS, the Children’s Science Center’s programming supports local public school systems to ensure children are prepared to fill those jobs, with an emphasis on outreach to Title I schools to provide access for underserved and at-risk children; and
WHEREAS, the Children’s Science Center will provide centralized resources to benefit students and teachers throughout the Commonwealth, enable STEM-related extracurricular activities, and provide exhibits and programs that support Virginia’s Standards of Learning; and
WHEREAS, research has demonstrated that hands-on activities in informal learning settings increase understanding of and interest in STEM concepts, particularly for girls and under-represented groups; and
WHEREAS, the Children’s Science Center is already having a positive impact on Northern Virginia’s families, serving 14,400 visitors in 2013 through its Museum Without Walls program of interactive, fun, hands-on STEM activities; and
WHEREAS, the Children’s Science Center provides an opportunity for parents and caregivers to be more involved and engaged in educating their children, providing a celebration of childhood and sense of community in the face of limited family time and scarce community resources; and
WHEREAS, Northern Virginia is the largest metropolitan area in the country without a children’s museum or science center, a significant void that must be filled; and
WHEREAS, the Children’s Science Center is prepared to fill that void, with plans to reach an estimated 300,000 visitors and provide a valuable community resource that will result in a wide range of tourism, economic, educational, and community benefits to the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, the time has come to establish a permanent home for the Children’s Science Center in order to maintain and build upon all the momentum that has been created over the past several years and to achieve the many benefits described above; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Children’s Science Center hereby be commended for providing unique, hands-on STEM learning experiences to thousands of children throughout the region through its Museum Without Walls program, even before its doors open; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Children’s Science Center as an expression of the House of Delegates’ admiration for the center’s dedication to the youth of Northern Virginia.