We’re excited to invite you to the second annual Celebrate Science Day at the Reading Science Center. This year’s theme is “May the Force Be with You!” - a playful nod to the powerful forces of science and imagination that spark curiosity and innovation. Join us for an afternoon featuring hands-on science activities, live demonstrations, roaming science characters, music, food vendors, and more surprises for the whole family!

FEATURING

Hovercraft rides • Aquaponics lab • Bubble-making • Stop-motion animation • Live animals from Elmwood Park Zoo • Fire safety demos & Kids’ Flame House • Fiber & hair forensics • Pin the Organ on the Apron • Mammography coach • X-ray bone matching • pH testing • The Chemistry of Glaciers • Jumper cable display • Moon crater crafting with Princess Luna • Step into Science community art • Face painting • Native & exotic reptiles • Roaming characters from a galaxy far, far away… and more!

We are grateful to our sponsors, Breidegam Family Foundation, Brentwood Industries, EnerSys, Fulton Bank, M. J. Reider, PENN Entertainment, Penske Transportation Solutions and Remake Learning Days for making this event possible and remaining free of admission!

JOIN US AT DREXEL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, 50 INNOVATION WAY, ON SUNDAY, MAY THE 4TH FROM 1:00 TO 5:00 P.M., RAIN OR SHINE!

This summer, young scientists will embark on an unforgettable STEM adventure at Reading Science Camp! Designed for children ages 8-11, this camp offers a week filled with hands-on experiments, interactive activities, and exciting discoveries - all led by experienced educators in a fun and engaging environment.

CAMP DETAILS

WHAT TO EXPECT

At Reading Science Camp, your child will dive into an immersive STEM experience, exploring science through hands-on experiments and creative challenges that inspire curiosity and teamwork including:

As we near the end of another incredible school year, I can’t help but reflect with gratitude and excitement on the joy that has filled our Center these past months. Our field trip calendar has been bursting with energy—and students—from 11 different school districts! We've had the pleasure of welcoming students from Brandywine Heights, Boyertown, Exeter, Governor Mifflin, Harrisburg Area, Muhlenberg, Pottstown Area, Pottsville Area, Reading, Wilson, and Wyomissing Area School Districts—with visitors ranging from our tiniest preschool scientists all the way up through middle school adventurers.

There is nothing better than a day when the Center is buzzing with curious minds—asking questions, making discoveries, and letting out bursts of laughter as they explore. This is when our mission comes to life! When we get to witness the spark in a child’s eyes as they realize science is fun and they are scientists—it reminds us why we do what we do.

And let me tell you—our spring calendar is nearly full! The excitement for science is real, and we’re so honored to be part of these students’ learning journeys. One of our favorite moments is at the end of each visit, when we wave goodbye and call out, “Bye scientists! Thank you for coming!” And time and time again, we hear them shout back things like, “This is the BEST DAY EVER!” or “I can’t wait to come back!”

Thank you to every school, teacher, and student who has spent time with us this year. We are so proud to be part of your learning adventure—and we can’t wait to keep sharing the wonder of science with even more bright young minds.

We are also deeply grateful to the Neag Foundation who helped us spread the word and make these Ignite & Excite! field trips available to so many schools this year.  Their $60,000 contribution is supporting affordable and educational visits for 6,000 students.  Thank you Neag Foundation for this transformational gift!

Looking for a fresh way to spark curiosity and excitement this summer? The Reading Science Center offers Group Visits—an engaging experience designed for summer camps, summer schools, church groups, scouts, and community organizations.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

SCHEDULING DETAILS

Join us for Science Storytime on the third Monday of every month from 10:30 - 11:30 AM! This fun and educational program is included with admission ($10 per person, under 2 enjoy free admission) and features an exciting investigation in the classroom following the story.

UPCOMING THEME:

May 19th
May marks the last month before our Summer Reading Program begins! This month’s Storytime will explore the fascinating Water Cycle. Stay tuned for more updates and join us for a splash of fun!

This school year’s Sisters in STEM (SIS) program has been packed with unforgettable experiences, hands-on science, and inspiring guest speakers who empowered our 4th, 5th, and 6th grade girls to explore their curiosity and grow as young scientists!

We kicked off the year in the fall with a visit to Drexel University College of Medicine in Wyomissing, where the girls took a deep dive into the science of the senses—highlighted by the dissection of a cow’s eye! In the spring, we toured the state-of-the-art learning labs at Tower Health’s School of Health Sciences, where the girls were fascinated by the hands-on simulations, especially the operating room environment.

Back at The Center, we welcomed a stellar lineup of science professionals who brought STEM careers to life and encouraged our girls to dream big. A huge thank you to:

We explored so many fascinating topics! In health science, the girls investigated pressure points, discussed how to prevent bed sores, and even worked as a team on walking skis—a great challenge in communication and collaboration!

Throughout the year, we completed a four-part dermatology series comprised of: Intro to Skin, Plants & Bugs, Acne, and Sun Safety. We even explored the science behind hair and hair color, including structure, porosity, pH, and color mixing with edible models and hands-on chemistry. Holiday fun added a special spark—crafting science-inspired ornaments, mixing hot chocolate in test tubes, and inviting friends to join the festive experiments!

In chemistry, the girls took on a pH rainbow challenge—starting with vinegar and water, then using ammonia and universal indicator to hit every color on the pH scale. They discussed why pH testing matters across fields and how different kits are made for specific environments.

The girls also flexed their engineering muscles, building stable structures using gumdrops and toothpicks—racing to create the tallest structure that could still stand strong.

To top it all off, we were thrilled to welcome some amazing animals to The Reading Science Center! The Keystone Herpetology Society introduced us to a variety of reptiles and amphibians, and the Elmwood Park Zoo brought some of their most charismatic creatures for a memorable up-close experience.

This year's SIS was not only packed with learning but also filled with fun, laughter, and the joy of discovery. We’re so proud of all the girls!

What excitement will next year hold? Stay curious, Sisters in STEM!

On the weekend of March 28 through 31, 2025, our Executive Director, Ralia Vardaxis, had the privilege of speaking at the annual American Association for Anatomy 2025 conference, "Anatomy Connected," in Portland, Oregon. She was part of a panel addressing the topic "Highlighting Community in Community Outreach" chaired by Dr. Dana Peterson, Professor, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine at Tower Health.  This annual gathering brings together anatomy experts from across the country and the globe to hear the latest research and best practices for teaching, methodologies, and ethics in the field of anatomy.

Fellow panelists included Mary Piscura, Ph.D., of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, who highlighted the Anato-Bee, an anatomy competition for high school students that now spans 34 states and has engaged over 1,200 students in its first two years. “This initiative is expanding access to anatomical sciences education for a diverse and talented group of students, and we’re incredibly grateful to the 65 U.S. institutions that have partnered with us to make it possible,” said Piscura. Learn more about how you can get involved with the Anato-Bee at www.anatobee.org. 

The panel also included Russell Engel, Ph.D., Emergency Medical Services Program Director at Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences. He described an interprofessional curriculum partnership between paramedics at the health sciences school and the medical students at Drexel University College of Medicine. This partnership creates a deeper understanding of the role of both professions and adds to training efficiency outcomes.

Ralia was proud to share the supportive relationship Reading Science Center has enjoyed with our community for the last 4 years since our inception through successful programs like Sisters in STEM and Celebrate Science Day. These partnerships demonstrate not only the vital role for our non-profit to fulfill its role in gathering community resources to serve a vital mission in the community, but also how Greater Reading and Berks County have embraced the Reading Science Center and its passion in fostering a love of science and encouraging students to engage in hands-on discovery, supporting educators with exciting science field trips, and inspiring children to pursue STEM careers.

Rocket Ralia said "I was proud to share our important work at this thought-provoking national conference with my fellow panelists who are deeply dedicated to science education."

Our Executive Director, Ralia Vardaxis, recently joined host Sandy Graffius on BCTV’s Strictly Seniors to chat about everything happening at the Reading Science Center—including a sneak peek of Celebrate Science Day!

Missed the episode? Click the button below to watch it anytime on BCTV’s YouTube channel.

Last week, we were honored to receive a check from our friends at Riverfront Federal Credit Union—an incredible $1,000 raised through their first-quarter non-profit campaign benefiting the Reading Science Center.

Riverfront staff and customers went all in to support us: employees donated every Friday for the chance to wear jeans to work, customers rounded up their purchases, and others contributed by purchasing Riverfront-branded merchandise. All of those small actions added up to a meaningful investment in our mission. This generous gift will directly support our 2025 educational science programming—making sure local students have more opportunities to explore, question, and discover.

Thank you for your giant generosity, Riverfront!

Docent

Please join us in welcoming Milky Way Max to the team! She’s joining us from Reading, PA and is currently in her second year working toward a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design. Alongside her creative side, she has a big interest in Zoology and Microbiology—she’s all about mixing art and science. When she’s not at the science center or busy with school, you’ll probably find her drawing or playing video games. We’re excited to have her on board and can’t wait to see all the creativity and energy she brings!

Intern

We’re excited to introduce Katydid Kyra as the newest member of our team! Kyra is from Berks County and is currently studying Agricultural Science with a minor in Entomology at Penn State Berks. As you can probably guess, she has a deep passion for entomology! Known for her energetic and outgoing personality, Kyra thrives in dynamic environments and loves being outdoors, immersing herself in nature whenever she can. We’re thrilled to have her bring her enthusiasm and knowledge to our team!