Nanotechnology has enormous job growth potential. According to a recent survey by the National Science Foundation, by 2015 the need for technology professionals working in Nanotechnology will increase to 800,000 employers in the US and more than 2 million worldwide.   Learn more about the rapidly emerging field of Nanotechnology at VCU in this Science Matters video.

How the Monuments Came Down explores the complex history of Richmond, Virginia through the lens of Confederate monuments, supported by an extensive visual record never before presented in a single work.

Through personal stories from descendants and history-makers, the film uncovers how Confederate monuments came to shape Richmond’s landscape and why protestors demanded they come down.

In this collection, you will find film clips and learning resources designed to engage students with primary sources found in the film. These curriculum resources were written by Rodney Robinson, the 2019 National Teacher of the Year and a 20-year veteran of Richmond Public Schools. For a PDF version of the guide, with extension activities, visit vpm.org/monuments.

How the Monuments Came Down is a production of Field Studio, in association with VPM.

How the Monuments Came Down explores the complex history of Richmond, Virginia through the lens of Confederate monuments, supported by an extensive visual record never before presented in a single work.

Through personal stories from descendants and history-makers, the film uncovers how Confederate monuments came to shape Richmond’s landscape and why protestors demanded they come down.

In this collection, you will find film clips and learning resources designed to engage students with primary sources found in the film. These curriculum resources were written by Rodney Robinson, the 2019 National Teacher of the Year and a 20-year veteran of Richmond Public Schools. For a PDF version of the guide, with extension activities, visit vpm.org/monuments.

How the Monuments Came Down is a production of Field Studio, in association with VPM.

Learn about semipermeable membranes. If you put eggs and sand through a colander, would they both fall through? Probably not. Only the sand would actually pass through the holes of the colander because the eggs are too large. The colander acts as a semipermeable membrane, allowing some materials through but not others. Let's explore some other semipermeable membranes -like what surrounds our cells to help keep our bodies working and healthy. And eggs are like giant cells. They are a perfect thing to use to explore the science of semipermeable membranes, osmosis, and diffusion. We'll even experience a cool chemical reaction when we place an egg in vinegar. What do you think will happen when this chemical reaction is complete? Developed for grades 6-8 and correlated with Virginia Standards of Learning.

 Learn about invasive plant and animal species, native species, and non-native species. Although world ecosystems are in danger from a whole host of varied and distinct threats, there are few issues more difficult to tackle or more complex to understand than invasive species control. These species arrive in an ecosystem in which they are not native and have not evolved, with no existing space within the habitat. Invasive species may outcompete, overtake, or cause general harm and disruption to their new ecosystems. Elimination and control are a necessary part of conservation, everywhere from Virginia to the world’s most remote island. For more information and classroom activities, please visit The Wildlife Center of Virginia and VPM UNTAMED websites.

Learn about lead toxicity and its effect on wildlife. Lead toxicity is a significant problem for Bald Eagles, vultures, and other birds of prey; more than two-thirds of eagles admitted to the Wildlife Center of Virginia have measurable levels of lead in their blood. Join the Wildlife Center staff and other experts to learn why lead poisoning occurs in wildlife, how it’s treated, and how we can work together to solve this preventable problem.

Let’s learn about the different building blocks of music: beat, rhythm, harmony, and melody. Using these building blocks, we can be brave musicians and make our very own musical sound. Join us while we experiment with the elements of music and then watch as our special guest, Ms. Foster, shows us how to build shoebox houses with everyday items we find around the house.

Learn about concentrations of solutions. If you brew tea or coffee for too long, it gets really strong, bitter, and dark. But if you add water, you can lessen its strength. So, when we talk about how strong our coffee is, we are really talking about CONCENTRATION. Like stirring a teaspoon of sugar into a cup of tea, solids can have a concentration in a liquid, but first, they need to be able to dissolve into a solution (solubility). But, is there a limit to how much of a solid the solution can take in? Through some sweet treats, you can eat, let's explore the scientific concepts of concentration, solubility, and supersaturated solutions. I promise you it's going to ROCK! Developed for students in grades 6-10.

Learn about polymers.  They are all around us. From the proteins we consume to the plastic cups we drink from, polymers dominate our lives and our earth. They package our snacks but can also pollute our oceans. But do you REALLY know what a polymer is? Join Camille Schrier, science lover and Miss America 2020, to explore the science of polymers by making some slimy sodium alginate worms, and biodegradable corn plastic that is good for the earth!!

Learn to sing a song that reminds us of a big spinning wheel. We will also meet a new instrument that makes its sound by spinning - a hurdy-gurdy! Then watch as our special guest, Ms. Thomas, shows us how to make our very own spinning toy - a whirligig! Come spin with us!

Learn about the five senses. Mary and Mike are out and about, using their five senses to explore a city park. Mary collects leaves and watches the squirrels busily gathering acorns, while Mike eats snacks from his bag. Back in the studio, they find new ways to make music and even try some improvisation. Special guest, Ms. McCollough, shows us how to make our very own fizzy volcanoes. How will you be brave and curious today?

Learn about wildlife rehabilitation. Its goal is to release healthy, recovered animals back to their natural habitats, as fully functioning wild animals. But what happens when animals can’t be released? Sometimes, they may be suitable for a new job: an education ambassador. This episode highlights the selection criteria and welfare considerations that are essential to determine if an animal is a good candidate as an animal ambassador. Wildlife ambassadors play a significant role in education, by connecting people to wildlife and conservation issues and inspiring thousands of people worldwide to take action to protect wildlife.

 Learn the meaning of "One Health." One Health is a concept that connects the health of animals, people, and the environment. Each aspect is equal, important, and delicately intertwined. In this episode, Wildlife Center veterinary and rehabilitation staff, along with public health officials, explain One Health concepts and challenges and highlight how we can work together for the optimal health of all. 

Join biochemist and Miss America 2020, Camille Schrier, as she uses her kitchen as her laboratory. In this episode of Cooking Up Science with Miss America, we will explore the States of Matter. We know that substances can exist as different states of matter: solids, liquids, or gasses. But can some substances have the properties of more than one state of matter at the same time? Let's explore some oooey gooey Non-Newtonian fluids by making oobleck and slime and discover the science behind them. Developed for students in grades 6-10.

Learn about the Virginia Opossum, the only marsupial found in the United States. Opossums may be common, but they are amazingly unique and adaptable creatures that can be found right in our own backyards. Host Ed Clark highlights a wide variety of special opossum adaptations and explains how simple changes in human behavior can help these animals. Meet one of the Center's education opossums, and hear outreach coordinator Alex Wehrung talk about how education ambassadors help the Center to elevate the effectiveness of our programs. UNTAMED looks at the wild and often perilous world of wildlife, as seen through the eyes of the patients of the Wildlife Center of Virginia, a non-profit teaching and research hospital for native wildlife.

Learn about a variety of ways that recreationists can minimize their effects on wildlife and the environment. That privilege of being outdoors comes with a great responsibility: learning and abiding by a proper set of “outdoor ethics.”

Learn about a variety of owl species found around the world. The Wildlife Center team discusses the amazing adaptations of owls and what makes them so unique as patients. The team explains the common injuries in owl patients and the causes for admission that are, unfortunately, often human-caused. Dr. Karra and rehabilitator Brie explain what the wildlife medicine and rehabilitation process is like for a variety of owl species found in Virginia, and outreach coordinator Alex shares Quinn the Great Horned Owl's story.UNTAMED looks at the wild and often perilous world of wildlife, as seen through the eyes of the patients of the Wildlife Center of Virginia, a non-profit teaching and research hospital for native wildlife.

Join Joe as he takes us on a fun investigation into the life of plants. Learn about the types of plants, and how plants survive in their environment. Explore vascular and non-vascular plants through an experiment using the scientific method—and celery! Learn about photosynthesis and dormancy and dive into the parts of plants and pollination. Plants are so important to our lives. Let's get to know them better!

 Pollinators are a vital part of our world and are essential for creating and maintaining habitats that many animals – including us! – rely on for food and shelter. The diversity of pollinators in a particular area is a key indicator of the health of an overall ecosystem. Unfortunately, many pollinators are in trouble, with populations declining significantly around the world. This episode highlights the importance and function of pollinators, with an emphasis on what we can do in our homes and communities to ensure the survival of these important species. For more information and classroom activities, please visit The Wildlife Center of Virginia and VPM UNTAMED websites.

 Water is the great architect of Earth and a defining factor for the location and movement of life on this planet. Without water, our world would look very different; without the watersheds which capture, coalesce, move, and recycle water throughout a natural system, human and wildlife habitats would not be the same. Freshwater rivers, streams, and lakes are some of the most heavily utilized and pressured natural systems on the planet; these critical habitats have taken the brunt of negative human actions for years. Now, more than ever, we must learn to safeguard our watersheds for the protection of all life that depends on them.For more information and classroom activities, please visit The Wildlife Center of Virginia and VPM UNTAMED websites.