The James E. Richmond Science Center on July 26 hosted a 10-year anniversary event to commemorate the Center, its programing and learning opportunities for students and community members. The event also featured an educational roundtable and provided attendees with a look into the history behind the Center, its namesake former Superintendent of Schools James E. Richmond, and those instrumental in making the Center what it is today. 

Joining Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) and Science Center staff to celebrate the event were elected officials, past and present Science Center staff, teachers and students, and representatives from the Space Foundation, an educational organization that CCPS has partnered with for more than 15 years to offer cutting-edge training for staff, science and space-focused curriculum for teachers, and innovative programming for students. Monique Wilson, director of the Science Center, kicked off the event with a recap of the history behind the Science Center. Former CCPS Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Judy Estep, led an overview of how CCPS first partnered with the Space Foundation, and others influential in space education, such as former University of Maryland, Baltimore, president Freeman Hrabowski and Neil deGrasse Tyson, Ph.D., a astrophysicist, author and science communicator. Estep was with CCPS when the idea of the Science Center was developed, and retired just as the Center successfully opened on the St. Charles High School campus in 2014. 

U.S. Rep. Steny H. Hoyer provided remarks and presented Science Center staff members with recognition to honor their commitment to providing learning opportunities to the community. In his remarks to attendees, Hoyer noted the importance of the role of educators. "The most important people in our country are educators. Investing in basic research is going to be critically important to improve our quality of life and that's what our Science Center is about," Hoyer said. 

Also providing remarks were Sen. Arthur Ellis, Del. Edith Patterson and Charles County commissioners Gilbert Bowling and Ralph Patterson. Bobby Gagnon, director of education for the Space Foundation, provided a historical overview of the Science Center and recognized those who helped Richmond's vision turn into a reality. Following the roundtable portion of the celebration, Science Center staff unveiled a new logo for the Center featuring a color scheme consistent with the school system, as well as a space shuttle theme and stars to honor Richmond and original center staff. Attendees were also invited to a presentation in the Center's digital dome featuring immersive live music as part of musical artist, Just Alliance, also known as John Allen, "Stardust" experience. 

To learn more about the Science Center, visit https://sciencecenter.ccboe.com/.

About CCPS 

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,765 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education. 

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. 

CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).