Washington and Lee University
Come share W&L and Lexington with your children or grandchildren in our special family-oriented weekend, built around amazing facts and fun experiments with the W&L faculty. Now in its third year, this program is specially designed for children ages 7-14, their parents and grandparents. You’ll have a chance to see what goes on behind the laboratory doors in the Science Center, our splendid facility that has kept W&L scientists at the forefront of their fields.
Do we mean long days locked in a classroom with boring lectures? No way, we know better! Instead, we’ll explore hot topics that reflect a wide range of specialties and research at W&L, all with the idea that science is best learned by doing it. Our experiments will allow everyone to measure light, to determine if a DNA sample is from a human or a dog, to mix chemicals and watch the surprising reactions. You’ll even take a picture of a laser beam and hear the result.
We’ll take some walks to discover the summer beauty of Rockbridge County and things that you’ve never seen before, even though they were always there. We’ll do some experiments, solve a crime with a forensic scientist, and learn some fascinating and useful things about rocks—prepare yourself for lots of laughter and surprises. You’ll also see how your ideas about gender influence your behaviors and, perhaps, your own future.
The other key ingredient is provided by the town many parents and grandparents made their own when they were students here. Old-fashioned fun is available on demand, and you’ll have free time to poke around Lexington or go to Goshen. Ice cream is plentiful. Your teachers back home may not believe you, but tell them we’re taking a walk to meet some of Lexington’s most famous ghosts!
The program is directed by Professor Matt Tuchler, professor of chemistry. Matt will be joined by kid-friendly colleagues from several other sciences including biology, physics, geology, and psychology.