Give Today! Support Randolph College
AboutAdmissionUndergraduateGraduateAcademicsUndergraduateGraduateStudent LifeAthleticsOutcomesAlumnae & AlumniParents & FamiliesInside RandolphAPPLYREQUESTVISITNEWSEVENTSSupport RandolphSearch

Science & Art Saturdays

What’s it like to take a college class? Find out on Science + Art Saturdays this fall.

These labs, workshops and interactive tours are taught by Randolph College professors and professional experts from the Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College.

  • All sessions are free and are open to all high school students. 
  • Each session starts at 10 a.m. and lasts about 2 hours.
  • Space is limited.
  • Registration for each session closes at noon the day before the session.
  • Please note that each student needs to have their own email address in order to register. For example, if two siblings want to attend, then we need two different emails.
  • Please call Alex Cole at 434.485.8038 if you have any questions about the registration process.

Science and Art Scholars Program

  • Science: If you attend four or more Science sessions, you will be designated a Randolph College Science Scholar, and will receive a certificate.
  • Art: If you attend three or more Art sessions (first Saturday of each month), you will be designated a Randolph College Art Scholar, and will receive a certificate.

Sign Up Now

Balance Exercise for Performance and Health

August 26, 2023
Carolyn Sarson, Associate Professor of Sport and Exercise Studies
Register

Balance is critical for sport performance and reducing injury risk. Body position, head movement, and visual ability all play a role in balance. We will be challenging body movement and visual input to demonstrate the importance of joint proprioception, vestibular (ear) fluid shifts, and vision on physical balance.

Printing without Ink

September 2, 2023
Jill Jensen, Artist and Maier docent
Register

Can you make a print without ink? Join artist Jill Jensen, curator of The Matrix, to learn how to make an inkless print called a blind embossed collagraph. She will also explain various printmaking processes as we explore the exhibition. No experience necessary. All supplies provided.

Coral Reefs and Ocean Acidification

September 9, 2023
Sarah Sojka, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Physics
Register

Get a hands-on glimpse at coral reefs and one pressing threat to their existence, ocean acidification. In this activity, we will learn the basics of coral reefs, examine coral specimens and conduct an experiment to determine why ocean acidification is damaging coral reefs.

Diagnostic Testing for SARS-CoV-2

September 16, 2023
Amanda Rumore, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
Register

SARS-CoV-2 is the novel coronavirus that has caused a worldwide outbreak of the respiratory disease COVID-19. Reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) is currently used to detect the presence of the viral genome, signifying active infection. In this simulated medical test, we will analyze hypothetical samples from three patients who have symptoms of COVID-10. Laboratory techniques covered include: DNA extraction, RT-PCR, and gel electrophoresis.

Wrapping, Folding, Geometry, and Topology

September 23, 2023
Marc Ordower, Chair, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Register

Come see what amazing things you can do with math!

Crafting Ancient Coins

October 7, 2023
Emilie Bryant, Ancient Collections, and the Natural History & Archaeology Collections
Register

Explore the fascinating world of ancient coin production in this one-of-a-kind workshop. Participants will gain insight into the historical processes involved in creating coins and engrave their very own “coin.” We will have on view a small selection of Randolph College’s impressive ancient collection, a tangible link to the past. Put your newfound knowledge to the test in a lively trivia game, and do not miss out on the chance to win some delectable prizes!

Colors to Dye for

October 28, 2023
Ann Fabirkiewicz, Charles A Dana Professor of Chemistry
Register

Natural dyes are all around us. In today’s experiments we’ll learn how to extract dyes from natural materials and test them to see which dye and fabric combinations are best.

Artists’ Books

November 4, 2023
Laura McManus, Curator of Education, Maier Museum of Art
Register

An artist book is a work of art in book form or inspired by the idea of a book. The artists’ books currently on view at the Maier challenge the conventional book format and use unexpected materials. In this session, explore the exhibition and create a unique sculptural book.

Eyes on the Sky: The why, when, and how of meteorological phenomena

November 11, 2023
Karin Warren, Herzog Family Chair of Environmental Studies
Register

Sky watchers know the view above our heads is filled with extraordinary things—rainbows and double rainbows, ice crystal haloes, aurorae, and clouds of astounding variety. We’ll explore some meteorology and physics behind a variety of atmospheric phenomena, and learn when, where, and how to keep our eyes on the skies to spot them.

The Science of Illusions

November 18, 2023
Blair Gross, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Register

Have you ever wondered how your minds see and hear the world around us? In this class we will explore a variety of mind-blowing visual, auditory, and taste illusions that teach us the inner workings of how our perceptual systems construct our experiences of the world around us.

Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering with the Arduino

November 25, 2023
Peter Sheldon, Professor of Physics & Engineering
Register

Mechatronics engineering is the marriage of mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering, often used for robotics and manufacture engineering. We will learn the basic operation of the Arduino microcontroller, and use it to control lights, sounds, and motors, as time allows.

Math Meets Design

December 2, 2023
Laura McManus, Curator of Education, Maier Museum of Art
Register

Conceptual artist Sol Le Witt used a unique approach to create geometric designs called “Wall Drawings.” After devising a set of simple instructions, he asked others to construct the work from his plans. He purposefully left elements open to interpretation so that no two works are ever the same. Explore how Le Witt’s work is a balance of mathematics, architecture, and design, and produce a work inspired by his ideas.

Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn YouTube RSS Feeds Snapchat