Dates and Deadlines
Explore FIRST LEGO League Expo registration: Open, click this link for details.
(A smaller build challenge is also available this year).
Pi Run registration opens: January 15, 2023 – limited to first 300
Poetry Jam submissions: Accepted year-round with a 2023 deadline of February 24
SciFest STAR teacher award nominations: Accepted year-round with a 2023 deadline of March 17
Science Day for 3rd-6th Graders registration opens: January 15, 2023 – limited to first 400
Science Day for Little Scientists registration opens: Now full. We look forward to seeing everyone at SciFest!
Printable Fliers
Questions?
The Randolph College Society of Physics Students is proud to announce the annual Randolph College Science Festival (SciFest)! The event started as a science day for kids in 2005 and expanded to a full festival in 2009. Today, we are joined by science, humanities, and arts departments across campus as well as numerous presenters and outside vendors to create a weekend of activities for all.
If you would like to receive information and updates about the 2023 SciFest and future events, please email scifest@randolphcollege.edu with the subject line “mailing list.” Or, stay updated by “Liking” the I Love Randolph Science Facebook page.
Please note that the following are public events, and sponsoring organizations or the public may be taking pictures or recording video footage. By participating in these events, you (or, for students and other children under 18, your parent or guardian) consent to the capture and/or use of your (or your child’s) image and/or voice by Randolph College and waive any claims or rights, whether in law or in equity.
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Pi Run, presented by The Al Stroobants Foundation
6:00 pm | Main Hall (Front Campus)| Sponsored by The Al Stroobants Foundation
Learn more about the SciFest Pi Run at this link. This year, the event is in-person, but there is a virtual option for alumnae/alumni who are not local to the College.
- Audience: This event is open to the public.
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: Limited to the first 300, please register at https://www.simpletix.com/e/pi-run-randolph-college-scifest-tickets-119088 starting on January 15, 2023.
Thursday, March 23, 2023 thru SciFest weekend
Chick Cam
Watch the chicks hatch over SciFest weekend!
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Physics Phest Quiz Bowl
TBA
- Audience: This event is open to the public for viewing, open to high school students to compete for prizes.
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: For high school competitors: http://randolphscience.org/physics-phest-registration-form/.
United Bank Keynote Speaker: Greg Kennedy, Innovative Juggler
6:45 reception – 7:30 p.m. event | Smith Hall Theater, Smith Building | Sponsored by United Bank
We are so excited to invite innovative juggler, Greg Kennedy, back to the Science Festival! Greg Kennedy is a professional performing artist and scientist – combining his love of juggling with his engineering background. Greg has toured with Cirque du Soleil, been featured on the Discovery Channel, received awards for his juggling technique, and is well known within the science and arts communities. We look forward to having him here!
Please join us for a reception with refreshments at 6:45 pm: Join Randolph College faculty, staff, and students to learn more about the SUPER program and ways that local professionals can be involved in inspiring the next generation of scientists. Faculty and staff will be on hand to talk about opportunities to work with the SUPER program including serving as an industry mentor to a student or promoting jobs and internships with your company. While we would like to invite potential mentors to the reception, it is also open to all the public! Keynote Speaker Details.
- Audience: This event is open to the public.
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: Registration/tickets are not required.
Science Teacher Award, presented by United Bank
7:30 p.m. | Smith Hall Theater, Smith Building| Sponsored by United Bank
- Audience: This event is open to the public.
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: Follow this link for nomination instructions.
Friday, March 24, 2023
Alumni Career Lunch
12:20-1:05 | Darden One, Cheatham Dining Area
Join our science alums for an informal lunch.
- Audience: This event is open to the public.
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: Registration/tickets are not required.
BWXT Women in Science Panel Reception & Center for Student Research Open House
2:30 – 3:15 p.m. | Center for Student Research, Main 137 | Sponsored by BWXT
- Audience: This event is open to the public.
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: Registration/tickets are not required.
BWXT Women in Science Panel
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Nichols Theatre, Student Center | Sponsored by BWXT
We are proud of our alumnae! Learn how they have succeeded in their fields. Please join us if you’re interested in hearing from successful women scientists, but especially if you are considering going into a career related to science.
- Dr. Mary Betteron (’81), Veterinarian, Brosville Animal Clinic, Danville, VA
- Caitlin Jones (’17), Senior Climate and Energy Resilience Analyst with Concurrent Technologies Corporation, Washington, D.C.
- Mehgan McCrickard (’03), Chief Operating Officer, Johnson Health Center, Madison Heights, VA
See our 2023 Women in Science Panel flier here!
- Audience: This event is open to the public.
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: Registration/tickets are not required.
Poetry Jam Reading and Awards Ceremony
6 – 7:30 p.m. | Wimberly Recital Hall, Presser Building
Please join us for the reception, awards, and reading of all SciFest Poetry Jam finalists. Refreshments will be served.
Poetry submissions for 2023 are now closed! We look forward to seeing finalists at the Science Festival. Learn more about the SciFest Poetry Jam.
Poetry Jam Finalists for 2023 are announced at this link! Finalists are invited to read your poem at this event. All are invited to join us for the poetry reading. All finalists receive a t-shirt, and three winners from each grade category (primary, elementary, middle, high) will be announced. Congratulations to all who submitted a poem!
- Audience: This event is open to the public.
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: Registration/tickets are not required for this event. Instructions for submitters are here.
A Scientist Goes to the Movies: Wakanda Forever
8 – 10:30 p.m.| Nichols Theatre, Student Center
Join us to watch Wakanda Forever with the live commentary of one of our mathematics faculty, Dr. Marc Ordower. Free popcorn for all!
- Audience: This event is open to the public.
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: Registration/tickets are not required.
Saturday, March 25, 2023
Science Day for 3rd-6th Graders
11:45-4:00 | Athletic Center, Norfolk Avenue
For children in grades 3-6, a parent, guardian, or responsible adult must be present for individual or group of children. Requires pre-registration, please follow this link for details: SciFest Science Day for 3rd-6th Graders.
- Audience: This event is open to 3rd-6th graders.
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: Limited to the first 400, please register at https://www.simpletix.com/e/science-day-for-3-6-graders-randolph-colle-tickets-119320 starting on January 15, 2023.
Science Day for Little Scientists
12:00-1:00, 1:00-2:00, 2:00-3:00, 3:00-4:00 | Nursery School, Randolph Campus
For children ages 3-7, child must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult at all times. Requires pre-registration, please follow this link for details: Science Day for Little Scientists.
- Audience: This event is open to children ages 3-7.
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: Limited to the first 300 (75 each hour, you need to register for a particular hour), please register at https://www.simpletix.com/e/science-day-little-scientists-randolph-col-tickets-119329 starting on January 15, 2023.
- COVID-19 Policy: Masks may be required depending on our Nursery School’s COVID policies. We will update here if they are needed.
Glow Stick Star Party
8:30-10:00 pm | Winfree Observatory
- Audience: This event is open to the public.
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: Registration/tickets are not required.
- Star Party Schedule beyond Scifest: https://randolphscience.org/star-parties/.
Sunday, March 26, 2023
Maker Faire of Lynchburg
with Hands-On Science Exhibitions presented by The Al Stroobants Foundation
11:00 am -4:00 pm | Main Hall, Front Campus | Sponsored by The Al Stroobants Foundation
The Lynchburg Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, the Maker Faire is a venue for these “makers” to show hobbies, experiments, and projects. Activities are appropriate for all ages. A map of the event, list of Makers, and full schedule of events is coming soon! Check out all of the awesome makers that are attending here: https://lynchburg.makerfaire.com/makers-exhibits/
No registration is needed, but signing up here will help us gauge how many people will be coming and will enter you to win a Brother SE400 Sewing & Embroidery machine! Both pre-event and on-site registration will qualify as entries. Limit one entry per household. Drawing will be made at the event on March 26. Registered persons must attend the Faire to be eligible to win.
In addition to the Maker Faire, hands-on science exhibitions provided by the Randolph College Society of Physics Students will also be present! From non-Newtonian fluid to campus sustainability, we look forward to seeing everyone during Sunday activities!
A map of all activities will soon be hosted at https://lynchburg.makerfaire.com/event-map/. Feel free to see this old map for past activities in the meantime! (2022 MakerFaireMap)
- Meet the Makers: https://lynchburg.makerfaire.com/makers-exhibits/
- Audience: This event is open to the public.
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: https://lynchburg.makerfaire.com/tickets/
Smash @ SciFest
11:00 am start | Martin RM 320
Welcome gamers of all levels to a Round Robin mini tournament hosted by the Randolph College Esports Team at Scifest! Try to conquer your pool of smashers for chances at amazing prizes! Please bring your own controller but we will have limited controllers available at the event. Will also have limited setups but feel free to bring your own as we will have space for additional switches. Event will take place on the first floor of the Martin Science building. Additional parking available behind the Martin Building.
- Audience: This event is open to all for participation or just to watch!
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: https://www.start.gg/tournament/smash-scifest-2023/details
SciFest FIRST LEGO League Explore Build Challenge Expo
12:30 pm – 4:00 pm | Smith Building
- Audience: Registration is open to elementary school teams and individuals. All participants are welcome to join the competition on the day of the event.
- Cost: The Expo is free to registrants and observers, but teams will need to register with FIRST to purchase challenge materials. See here for more details. Our optional smaller build challenge is free to registrants and observers, and we will cover cost of materials.
- Registration: Please see instructions here. Deadline for Expo Registration is March 17th. Deadline for Randolph Scholarships is February 28, 2023. Deadline for smaller build challenge is TBA. Email hlgilman@randolphcollege.edu if there are further questions.
Science + Art Saturdays Reception
2:00-2:30 pm | Martin Science Building, Room 415
- Audience: This event is open to the public.
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: Registration/tickets are not required.
Flier: 2023 printable brochure
2023 Sponsors and Friends
Thank you!
Marie Curie Sponsors ($5000 and above)
Bill A. Stuart II – United Bank – The Al Stroobants Foundation – The Athena Fund
Albert Einstein Sponsors ($2500-$4999)
BWXT
Isaac Newton Sponsors ($1000-$2499)
Framatome (AREVA) – Watts Petroleum – CapTrust Community Foundation – Jamerson-Lewis Construction – High Peak Sportswear – Vector Space
Rosalind Franklin Sponsors ($500-$999)
Peery and Woolwine Family Dentistry – Fleet Labs – Wiley | Wilson – Dodson Bros. Exterminating – Givens Books & Little Dickens – McGriff Insurance Services – Member One Federal Credit Union
Friends ($50-$499)
N.B. Handy Company – Catherine Tucker-Slaterbeck – Architectural Partners – Catherine Mosley – Kacey Meaker 08′ – Coleman-Adams Construction, Inc. – Campbell Insurance – Frito Lay – The Virginian Hotel – Karen Campbell
- Please visit this link to learn more about our sponsors or to become a Sponsor or a Friend