EdVenture

?? EdVenture is proud to be an official member of the @IfThen Champions Network! ?? We are dedicated to inspiring the next generation of STEM innovators and celebrating the groundbreaking contributions of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Recently, we had the privilege of connecting with one of our EdVenture community partners from Westinghouse Electric Company, who, alongside her daughter, is making waves in STEM! ?? A powerful reminder that early inspiration leads to incredible futures. ?? Join us on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 10 AM – 3 PM for a special day of recognition and inspiration! This exciting event will feature: ? Engaging materials ? Hands-on games ? STEM activities designed to spark curiosity and creativity in young learners ???? Bring your little scientists and let’s celebrate the power of STEM together! #EdVentureSTEM #IfThenSheCan #STEMInnovation #ThisIsWhatAScientistLooksLike #IFTHENChampions @ScienceCenters @IfThenInitiative @NGCProject @sciencecenters @ifthenshecan @NGCProject Guirong Pan

Promoting Healthy Smiles at EdVenture! Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming the Colgate van to help spread awareness about the importance of dental health! A big thank you to the SC Dental Association and all the dedicated volunteers who took the time to educate and engage with our EdVenturers. Through this initiative, we were able to give away toothbrushes and even provide on-site dental checkups with professional dentists. It was a fantastic opportunity to promote healthy habits and bright smiles for our young visitors! We’re grateful for the support of our community partners in making learning both fun and impactful. #OralHealth #CommunityPartnerships #EdVenture #BrightSmiles South Carolina Dental Association Colgate-Palmolive

Engineering Week Was a Huge Success! We’ve officially wrapped up Engineering Week at EdVenture, and what an incredible experience it was! From hands-on STEM activities to inspiring conversations, we loved seeing young minds explore, create, and innovate. A huge THANK YOU to Westinghouse Electric Company, volunteers from Cocky’s Reading Express, and the University of South Carolina National Society of Black Engineers for bringing energy, expertise, and enthusiasm to this event. Your dedication made a lasting impact, and we are grateful for your support in sparking curiosity in future engineers! We hope every child left feeling inspired, and that a lifelong passion for STEM has been ignited! #EngineeringWeek #STEMEducation #FutureEngineers #EdVenture #InspiringYoungMinds #HandsOnLearning

What’s on EdVenture’s Third Floor? No, it’s not Eddie—but it is one of his favorite things: our Tesla Musical Coil! This captivating display of manufactured lightning, perfectly synced to catchy tunes, is made possible through our partnership with Dominion Energy. We’re proud to offer this electrifying experience to school-aged children, sparking curiosity about how electricity works and how innovative thinking, like Nikola Tesla’s, continues to shape our society today. It’s a unique and engaging way to inspire young minds to think outside the box and explore the impact of science on our daily lives. Come see the sparks fly and explore how innovation powers our world. #TeslaCoil #EdVentureKids #DominionEnergy #STEMEducation #InspiringInnovation #FutureThinkers

Celebrating 100 Years with W.P. Rawl! Last week, we had the incredible honor of partnering with W.P. Rawl to celebrate a century of fresh farm-to-table experiences and unveil the newly reimagined W.P. Rawl Exhibit! As part of the celebration, W.P. Rawl generously sponsored admission for 100 guests this past Sunday, making it a day to remember for families and visitors alike. The updated exhibit is already a hit, offering families the chance to: * Explore life-like vegetables and interactive displays. * Learn about the farm-to-table journey that brings fresh, local produce to homes across South Carolina. * See the machines and tools used at the W.P. Rawl facility up close. We’re so proud to celebrate this milestone with W.P. Rawl and to continue educating the community about the importance of farming and fresh, local food. Bring your family to experience the magic of the farm-to-table process firsthand—we’d love to see you there!

Reflecting on Our MLK Day Celebration This past Monday, we had the privilege of welcoming families to our MLK Day Celebration—a day filled with inspiration, reflection, and community connection. We were honored to host several inspiring Storytimes, led by incredible individuals, including: * The Mayor of Columbia Daniel Rickenmann * School board members from Lexington and Richland counties (Davida Price, Robert Burggraaf, Jennifer Wise, Kimberly Fulton-Snipes, Niki Porter, and Tamika Washington) * County council members (Tish Dozier Alleyne and Tyra LIttle) * Representatives from Claflin College and Sharing Hope SC Guests engaged in meaningful activities that celebrated the extraordinary life and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Following Storytime, attendees received their own copy of the empowering book I Try! Thank you to our partners SC First Steps and AmeriCorps and everyone who joined us in honoring Dr. King's legacy. Together, we continue to reflect, learn, and strive for a brighter future. City of Columbia SC Richland County Government Claflin University

Exciting Updates: The W.P. Rawl Farm Exhibit Reopens Soon! We’re thrilled to announce that in less than a week, our W.P. Rawl Farm Exhibit will officially reopen! Over the past few months, our talented team has been hard at work making major enhancements to this incredible experience. Under the leadership of Lloyd, our Director of Exhibits and Facilities, and with the remarkable creativity of Dallas, Exhibits Manager, and Meaghan, Exhibits Technician, we’ve transformed the exhibit into something truly extraordinary. The refreshed W.P. Rawl Farm Exhibit now offers even more insight into how food journeys from farm to table, creating a deeper, more engaging experience for all visitors. It was already a standout, but we’re confident these updates will take it to the next level. Special recognition also to Greg and James (Building Technicians) for all of their hard work in this project! ?? Mark your calendar: 1/24/25 We can’t wait for you to see the changes firsthand when the W.P. Rawl Farm Exhibit reopens. Don’t miss it!

Collaborating to Inspire the Next Generation of Innovators This past Saturday, EdVenture was thrilled to host an incredible STEM workshop in partnership with Westinghouse and the Girl and Boy Scouts of America. Scouts had an unforgettable day filled with hands-on learning, exploring: *Tools to understand radiation *Experiments demonstrating the wonders of static electricity *A hazmat suit challenge—mastering the art of suit-up and suit-down! *The electrifying power of our Tesla coil in action At EdVenture, we strive to spark curiosity and foster a lifelong love of STEM. Events like these remind us of the power of collaboration in shaping young minds and inspiring future scientists, engineers, and innovators. A heartfelt thank you to our partners at Westinghouse Electric Company , Guirong Pan and to all the Scouts who joined us. Together, we’re building a brighter future—one experiment at a time!

A Heartfelt Look Back at Our Sensitive Santa Event Last week, we had the privilege of hosting our annual Sensitive Santa event at EdVenture. This cherished tradition creates a sensory-sensitive environment where children and families can enjoy the holiday spirit in a way that is welcoming and inclusive. Families joined us for festive fun, spending time with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elf. This year, we were deeply moved by the stories shared by families who have made Sensitive Santa a beloved part of their holiday season. One visitor even brought special gifts to Santa as a heartfelt thank-you for years of kindness and generosity—an exchange of joy that truly captured the holiday spirit. A huge thank you to Aflac, our sponsor, for making this event a reality and helping us create lasting memories for all. We are grateful to be part of these meaningful moments year after year. #SensitiveSanta #HolidayMemories #ThankYouAflac #EdVenture #InclusiveEvents #MakingADifference

Celebrating Stories & Cultures from Around the World! Last month, we gave a sneak peek into next year's Columbia International Festival with our Celebration of Stories event right in front of our beloved Eddie! We journeyed around the globe in a single day with vibrant showcases of: Stories, songs, and music Fashion and dance Cultural traditions from countries like Mexico, the Philippines, and Ethiopia, beautifully brought to life by our local community. The official start of Global Education Day is April 4, 2025! Columbia International Festival sponsors this incredible event—mark your calendars and don’t miss it! Sponsors: Richland County Government City of Columbia SC