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: Open Now, Limited to the first 300
Poetry Jam submissions: Accepted year-round with a 2025 deadline of February 28th
SciFest STAR teacher award nominations: Accepted year-round with a 2025 deadline of March 14th
Science Day for 3rd-6th Graders registration: Open Now, limited to first 300
Science Day for Little Scientists registration: Open Now, limited to first 300
KidWind Challenge registration: Deadline to register is February 18th, 2025
Printable Fliers
2025 Age 15-23 JRW Poetry Contest
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. Scroll down for more details about festival events, and click link at the right for a printable version of the 2025 SciFest schedule at a glance:
If you would like to receive information and updates about the 2025 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.
Baby Chick Cam will go live mid-March!
Friday, March 14, 2025
Pi Run
6:00 pm | Main Hall (Front Campus)
Join us to celebrate Pi Day and Einstein’s birthday with a 3.14 mile fun run/walk, with a piece of pi(e) afterward! 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 here starting on January 15, 2025.
- add to Google Calendar
- add to iCal or Outlook
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Keynote Speaker: NASA Planetary Protection Engineer, Dr. Moogega Cooper sponsored by BWXT
6:45 p.m. reception – 7:30 p.m. event | Smith Hall Theatre, Smith Building
Dr. Cooper is a trailblazing engineer of the famed Mars Rover ‘Perseverance’ Mission for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Please join us for a reception with refreshments before the program at 6:45 pm, with meet & greet opportunities. To learn more about this year’s Keynote Speaker, see the Keynote Speaker Details.
- Audience: This event is open to the public.
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: Registration/tickets are not required.
Science Teaching Award from Randolph (STAR) Presentation sponsored by Framatome
7:30 p.m. | Smith Hall Theatre, Smith Building
- Audience: This event is open to the public.
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: Follow this link for nomination instructions.
Friday, March 28, 2025
Alumni STEM Career Lunch
12:20 p.m. – 1:05 p.m. | Darden One, Cheatham Dining Area
Randolph College staff and students are welcome to join our science alums for an informal lunch.
- Audience: This event is open to Randolph staff, faculty, and students.
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: Registration/tickets are not required.
Center for Student Research & Career Development Center Open House
3:00 – 3:45 p.m. | Center for Student Research, Main 137
Visit the Center for Student Research, the hub for student research and creative endeavors in all subjects, not just science. Drop by to see our space, to see displays of student research, and enjoy some snacks.
- Audience: This event is open to the public.
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: Registration/tickets are not required.
Women in Science Panel & Reception
Panel 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Nichols Theatre, Student Center
Reception 5:00 – 5:45 p.m. | Hampson Commons, Student Center
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. To learn more about the 2025 panelists, please visit this link. The Office of Alumni Relations is hosting a reception for the panelists and guests immediately following the panel discussion.
Panelists:
- Alexis Harrington Blankenship ’15 – Forensic Chemist III at NMS Labs
- Dr. Victoria Proctor Turgeon ’93 – Professor of Biology & Neuroscience and Academic Director of the Prisma Health Partnership at Furman University
- Dr. Melissa Schuster Merrill ’89, Professor, Associate Department Head and Director of Undergraduate Programs in Animal Science at NC State University
- Tiffany Lawson Vines ’95, Senior Director of Biopharma Business Development at Caris Life Sciences
- Audience: This event is open to the public.
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: Registration/tickets are not required.
- WIS Panel Flier: Click here for the downloadable flier from 2024. 2025 flier will be available soon!
Poetry Jam! Reading and Awards Ceremony
6:00 – 7:30 p.m. | Thoresen Theatre, Leggett Building
Please join us for the reception, awards, and reading of all SciFest Poetry Jam finalists. Refreshments will be served.
Poetry submissions for 2025 are now being accepted! We look forward to seeing you all at the Science Festival. Learn more about the SciFest Poetry Jam!. 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 STEM Contest winners from each grade category (primary, elementary, middle, high), and a winner from each category of the JRW Contest 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: “Twisters” sponsored by United Bank
7:30 – 10:45 p.m.| Thoresen Theatre, Leggett Building
Join us to watch a movie with live commentary from Professor of Environmental Sciences, Dr. Karin Warren, and guest Meteorologist George Flickinger. Please note that this movie is rated PG-13. Free popcorn for all!
- Audience: This event is open to the public.
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: Registration/tickets are not required.
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Science Day for 3rd-6th Graders
11:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Michels Athletic Center (MAC), 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 300, please register here starting on January 15, 2025.
Science Day for Little Scientists
Afternoon sessions: 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. | 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 here starting on January 15, 2025.
SciFest Glow Star Party
8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | 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 30, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Main Hall, Front Campus
Maker Faire Lynchburg is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and love sharing what they can do. We partner with Vector Space, our local makerspace to bring this event to campus as part of SciFest. 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 attended in 2024 here: https://lynchburg.makerfaire.com/makers-exhibits/
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 2024 activities may be viewed at https://lynchburg.makerfaire.com/event-map/. Feel free to see this older map for past activities in the meantime!
- 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 a.m. start | Location TBD, Student Center
Welcome gamers of all levels to a Round Robin mini tournament hosted by the Randolph College E-sports 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 in Alice’s E-Cade in the Student Center.
- 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 sponsored by Genworth
Event 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Smith Building
Public Viewing 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. | Smith Banquet Hall
Awards 4:00 p.m. | Smith Theatre
- 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 14th, 2025. Deadline for Randolph Scholarships is February 15, 2025. Registration for smaller build challenge will open in February, and we will accept day-of builds! Email tcerulli@randolphcollege.edu if there are further questions.
Lynchburg Regional KidWind Challenge
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Michels Athletic Center (MAC), Norfolk Avenue
- Audience: Registration is open to elementary and middle school teams.
- Cost: Resources are available for free Wind Turbine challenge kits. Email FutureFocusFoundation@gmail.com to learn more about ways to get access to those resources.
- Registration: Please register a team at this link. Challenge Registration closes February 18, 2025.
- Coach (Team or Parent) Info: Visit our Lynchburg Info Dashboard here.
Science + Art Saturdays Reception
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Ashley Jack Room, Smith Building
- Audience: This event is open to the public.
- Cost: Free!
- Registration: Registration/tickets are not required.
Flier: 2025 printable brochure
2025 Sponsors and Friends
Thank you to our generous donors and sponsors for our annual Science Festival. This event has grown into something truly wonderful and impactful for our community, and we would not be able to do this without our supporters.
Marie Curie Sponsors ($5000 and above)
BWXT – Framatome
Albert Einstein Sponsors ($2500-$4999)
Genworth – Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation – United Bank
2024 Sponsors and Friends
Marie Curie Sponsors ($5000 and above)
United Bank – The Al Stroobants Foundation – Runk & Pratt/Miss VA Volunteer – BWXT
Albert Einstein Sponsors ($2500-$4999)
Genworth – Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation – Framatome
Isaac Newton Sponsors ($1000-$2499)
Bill A. and Lynn Hume Stuart – Watts Petroleum – Dodson Bros. Exterminating – Jamerson-Lewis Construction – High Peak Sportswear – Vector Space – James River Association
Rosalind Franklin Sponsors ($500-$999)
Peery and Woolwine Family Dentistry – Fleet Labs – N.B. Handy Company – Catherine Tucker-Slaterbeck – Foster Fuels – Bank of the James – McGriff Insurance Services – Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black – Bank of the James – Future Focus Foundation – Black Earth Institute
Friends ($50-$499)
Amazement Square – Catherine Mosley – Kacey Meaker 08′ – Coleman-Adams Construction, Inc. – Frito Lay – Randy & Robin Earley – Science in Space – Cheryl Lindeman – The Virginian Hotel
- Keynote Speaker sponsored by BWXT
- STAR Teacher Award sponsored by Framatome
- Scientist Goes to the Movies sponsored by United Bank
- LEGO Build Challenge Expo sponsored by Genworth Financial
- Named sponsor opportunities still available: SciFest Steven Hawking Title Sponsor, Science Day for 3rd-6th graders, Science Day for Little Scientists, Women in Science Panel, Pi Run, Poetry Jam!, KidWind Challenge
- Please visit this link to learn more about our sponsors or to become a Sponsor or a Friend