Liquid Technology Equipment Donation Gives New Life to Children’s Science Center Virtual Programs during Covid-19

From field trips to summer camps and animal encounters, television studio production equipment helps bring the museum experience home to students

NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2021 — When the Covid-19 pandemic forced the Children’s Science Center Lab in Fairfax, VA to close its doors to the public on Friday, March 13, 2020, the museum quickly pivoted to a virtual model. Hoping to stay connected to its Northern Virginia audience and continue to serve their mission of inspiring the love of STEM, the staff began filming anything and everything they could. From science demos and chemistry experiments to animal talks, they recorded and live streamed the creative and educational content on their cell phones. The museum’s financial viability is dependent on entrance fees, and there would be none of those for the foreseeable future. Little did they know at the time how very long their doors would be closed to the public nor how many cell phone recorded programs they would need to deliver.

Liquid Technology Managing Partner, Richard Greene learned about the Children’s Science Center challenges from a client, and the industry-leading IT Asset Disposition service provider responded. As a parent, Greene understands the importance of such services first-hand. He wanted to make the science center’s virtual offering experience a better one. To make that happen, Liquid Technology donated two television studios’ worth of equipment, including cameras, webcams, green screens, computers for editing, and more. The donated equipment had an immediate impact.

“This new equipment is a real game-changer. It allows us to interact with our audience better than ever,” said Audrey Charlwood, Program Coordinator for the Children’s Science Center. “We particularly love using the green screen to transport our audience into different environments in line with what we are teaching.”

“As informal educators, we like to have fun while teaching science and get up and move around. The mobile tripods have been integral to making our virtual experience fun and interactive. It’s wonderful to now have technology that is as mobile as we are!” added Children’s Science Center Program Manager Ashlyn Salvage.

“Liquid Technology is committed to digital equity and STEM education, and we are a corporate partner to two nonprofits in that space,” said Greene. “Our equipment donation to the Children’s Science Center was a natural extension of those efforts. We are thrilled the equipment has made such an incredible difference in their ability to deliver quality programming to their audiences.”

A pandemic boost for the Science Center — the virtual offerings have transformed its audience from local to national. Children from around the country can celebrate their birthdays with virtual parties, attend virtual camps and participate in lab programs with experienced STEM Educators. “Reaching more children with our STEM education programs is a silver lining,” said Charlwood. “Liquid Technology’s donation has made it possible for us to make those programs the best they can be.”

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About The Children’s Science Center
The Children’s Science Center is Northern Virginia’s first interactive museum where children, families and school groups can explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts through fun, engaging hands-on exhibits, activities and programs.