As the state’s most populous region, whose economy is driven largely by technology-based industries, Northern Virginia is the only large metropolitan area in the United States without a hands-on science center. At the invitation of a public-private partnership and major alliances with George Mason University and the U.S. Wildlife Refuge, the Potomac Science Center is being developed as a science-learning center for people of all ages. While the idea of bringing a hands-on science center was born in late 1990s the idea began to get traction in 2002 when the Foundation was created and in 2003 when a full-time Development Director was hired. Since then significant funds have been raised in both the private and public sector making the vision of a Northern Virginia Science Center a reality.
Potomac Science Center is partnered with the Belmont Bay Science Center Foundation.
Office: 703-993-9047
751 Norwood Lane, Woodbridge, Va 22191
Lucy Beauchamp
Executive Director
Gillian Kane-Mobley
Director of Development
Going on vacation? No pets or plants? Turn the air conditioner off or set the thermostat to a higher temperature to maintain humidity levels while conserving energy. Lower shades / close curtains to keep the heat out.
Household Savings...Don’t do laundry until you have a full load - Install compact/fluorescent light bulbs throughout your home ~ Turn off the water when washing dishes and brushing your teeth ~ Turn off the lights when you are not in the room - Let the dishes air dry instead of using the dishwasher’s heat dry setting - Clean air filters regularly
Management Choices...Use recycled paper in the office - Provide good kitchen facilities (allowing employees to bring food from home helps works save money and reduces solid waste) - Create a more casual dress code (men’s suits can be tough in warmer climates and can create the need to boost the air conditioning bills and energy used - Create flex-time or tele-commuting (allowing employees to work from home or drive outside of morning and evening rush hours will save fuel and reduce greenhouse gases ~ Send electronic documents to shareholders - Eliminate unnecessary lighting
What you Wear Can make a Difference...Bamboo (is nature’s most sustainable resource) - Hemp (it requires no pesticides to grow and yields three times more fiber per acre than cotton) - Organic Cotton (for traditionally grown cotton it takes approximately one-third of a pound of chemicals to grown enough cotton to make one tee-shirt. Organic cotton is grown in a pesticide-free and herbicide-free soil, using organic farming methods) - Tencel (this is a man-made natural fiber – made from the cellulose in wood pulp which is harvested from tree-farmed trees) - Silk, Wool, Linen and Ramie are all derived from renewable resources making their negative impact on the ecosystem less material.
Caring for your Clothes...Avoid buying Dry Clean Only labels - When washing garments by machine, turn them inside out, they will last longer - Use eco-friendly detergents, fabric softeners and stain removers - Avoid chlorine bleach and use “oxygen bleaches” instead.