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Image for event: Things that go Boom!

Things that go Boom!

with Mad Science!
2026-07-15 14:00:00 2026-07-15 15:00:00 America/New_York Things that go Boom! Learn the four signs of a chemical reaction through foaming and color changing experiments, balloon inflation, and, of course, some explosions! Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room

Wednesday, July 15
2:00pm - 3:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-07-15 14:00:00 2026-07-15 15:00:00 America/New_York Things that go Boom! Learn the four signs of a chemical reaction through foaming and color changing experiments, balloon inflation, and, of course, some explosions! Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room

Learn the four signs of a chemical reaction through foaming and color changing experiments, balloon inflation, and, of course, some explosions!

Conclude with our Mad Science Bubbling Potions, where the kids will learn about dry ice and see the creation of real clouds! Registration is not required but seating is limited and supplied on a first-come-first-serve basis. 

AGE GROUP: | Children |

EVENT TYPE: | Summer Quest | STEM/STEAM | Special Event | Family | Children |

TAGS: | stem | Science | kids | children | #STEAM |

Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
ahargreaves@alexlibraryva.org
Phone: 703.746.1704
Fax: 703.746.1775
Branch manager
Abby Hargreaves
Hours
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Mon, Apr 13 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Apr 14 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Apr 15 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Apr 16 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Apr 17 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Apr 18 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Apr 19 1:00PM to 5:00PM
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About the branch

Parking:
There is a library parking lot available.

Public Transit:

  • Metrorail: King Street Station
  • Metrobus: F20
  • DASH Bus: 36A, 36B, 102

Upcoming Events

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America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Thu, Apr 16, All day
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Fri, Apr 17, All day
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
Baby Storytime
Fri, Apr 17, 10:15am - 11:15am
Meeting Room
We sing, play, dance, and rhyme all while promoting your baby’s development and literacy skills. For ages 0-14 months.
Musical Movement
Fri, Apr 17, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Room
Come and play with music in this fun parent-child learn & play class! Program focuses on activities that enhance brain development and build social skills, language/motor skills, and more (ages 2-5).
America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Sat, Apr 18, All day
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
Poetry Palooza
Sat, Apr 18, 10:30am - 4:30pm
Meeting Room
Celebrate National Poetry Month with activities all day!
Burke Branch Friends Book Sale - Poetry Pop-Up
Sat, Apr 18, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Shop the Burke Branch Friends book sale with a special focus on poetry for National Poetry Month!
America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Sun, Apr 19, All day
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Mon, Apr 20, All day
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
Senior Bingo
Mon, Apr 20, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Meeting Room
Join us to socialize and engage your mind with a game of bingo served with food, prizes, and fun. Registration is required.
This event is full
English Language Learning (ELL)
Mon, Apr 20, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Room
English practice for English language learners. No registration is needed. Class is held in the Burke Branch Meeting Room.
Alexandria Library Board meeting
Mon, Apr 20, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Meeting Room
Alexandria Library Board meeting
America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Tue, Apr 21, All day
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
Financial Literacy for Teens
Tue, Apr 21, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Meeting Room
Learn about money and finances.
America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Wed, Apr 22, All day
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
Stitcher's Space - Sew, quilt, knit, crochet, embroider! Every Wednesday!
Wed, Apr 22, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Meeting Room
Enjoy weekly sessions with other fiber artists. Bring and share your projects, and see others. Quilting tutorials will be provided on the first Wednesday of every month. No registration is required.
Prevent Food Waste Workshop
Wed, Apr 22, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Room
In celebration of Earth Day, please join us to learn practical tips and resources for reducing food waste.
America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Thu, Apr 23, All day
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
Line Dancing 101
Thu, Apr 23, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Meeting Room
Join us to learn the basic line dance steps to great Oldies and Motown music. This is a great class for beginners. Bring a friend or come alone. Please wear comfortable shoes!
Line Dancing 201
Thu, Apr 23, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Meeting Room
Viva Line Dancing: Join our intermediate level of line dancing to improve flexibility and enhance memory. We work the dance floors! This class is not intended for beginners.
Trans-Atlantic Book Club: Alexandria & Dundee - Reading Mary E. Wilkins-Freeman
Thu, Apr 23, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Burke Virtual Room
Join Alexandrians and our Sister City Dundee, Scotland to discuss short story "The Long Arm" by Mary E. Wilkins-Freeman. Registration required. Register
250th Film Festival - "Train Dreams"
Thu, Apr 23, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Meeting Room
We are celebrating America's 250th Birthday with a screening of the 2025 film based on the 2011 novella by Denis Johnson.
Blast Off! Straw Rocket Craft
Thu, Apr 23, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Meeting Room
Decorate and assemble a paper straw rocket.
America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Fri, Apr 24, All day
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
Baby Storytime
Fri, Apr 24, 10:15am - 11:15am
Meeting Room
We sing, play, dance, and rhyme all while promoting your baby’s development and literacy skills. For ages 0-14 months.
Musical Movement
Fri, Apr 24, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Room
Come and play with music in this fun parent-child learn & play class! Program focuses on activities that enhance brain development and build social skills, language/motor skills, and more (ages 2-5).
America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Sat, Apr 25, All day
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
Crafty Kid Series
Sat, Apr 25, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Room
Join us one Saturday a month to get crafty! Each month is a new fun craft, followed by open play time and bubbles!
America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Sun, Apr 26, All day
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Mon, Apr 27, All day
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
The Art of Arabic Calligraphy and Language
Mon, Apr 27, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Meeting Room
In celebration of Arab American Heritage Month, we invite you to join us for a presentation on the Arabic language and calligraphy.
English Language Learning (ELL)
Mon, Apr 27, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Room
English practice for English language learners. No registration is needed. Class is held in the Burke Branch Meeting Room.
AAR Movie Series
Mon, Apr 27, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Meeting Room
Join us on some fun adventures through the ages of America! (All ages)
America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Tue, Apr 28, All day
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
Family Storytime - Martes de niños
Tue, Apr 28, 10:15am - 11:15am
Meeting Room
Join us for a fun-filled hour of stories, music, and movement for ages 0-5!
Baby and Toddler Play Date
Tue, Apr 28, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Room
Join us for a special uninterrupted playtime with your child and meet other caregivers. Discover how play and learning go hand-in-hand. (ages 0-4).
Financial Literacy for Teens
Tue, Apr 28, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Meeting Room
Learn about money and finances.
America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Wed, Apr 29, All day
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
Stitcher's Space - Sew, quilt, knit, crochet, embroider! Every Wednesday!
Wed, Apr 29, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Meeting Room
Enjoy weekly sessions with other fiber artists. Bring and share your projects, and see others. Quilting tutorials will be provided on the first Wednesday of every month. No registration is required.
Artful Flowers
Wed, Apr 29, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Meeting Room
Artificial flowers are versatile decorations that date back long before the 18th century. Join us to to make your own flowers on stems or as a brooch.
This event is full
America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Thu, Apr 30, All day
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
Line Dancing 101
Thu, Apr 30, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Meeting Room
Join us to learn the basic line dance steps to great Oldies and Motown music. This is a great class for beginners. Bring a friend or come alone. Please wear comfortable shoes!
Line Dancing 201
Thu, Apr 30, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Meeting Room
Viva Line Dancing: Join our intermediate level of line dancing to improve flexibility and enhance memory. We work the dance floors! This class is not intended for beginners.
How to Avoid Identity Theft
Thu, Apr 30, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Room
Identity theft can happen to anyone, but you can take steps to protect yourself.
The Soul of Algeria: Music, Fashion, Food & Stories
Thu, Apr 30, 4:00pm - 7:45pm
Meeting Room
In celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month, this special cultural program invites the public to explore Algeria's rich heritage.
America 250 Community Mini Art Show
Fri, May 01, All day
Visit the Burke Branch Library to view youth-made art celebrating American 250.
Introduction to Hula
Fri, May 01, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Meeting Room
Join us for an introductory Hula dance class where you will become familiar with basic Hula steps and hand movements.
Film Screening - "Sinners"
Fri, May 01, 1:30pm - 4:00pm
Meeting Room
Please join us for a screening of the acclaimed 2025 horror film set in 1932 in the Mississippi Delta.
Cancelled
Introduction to Hula
Fri, May 01, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Join us for an introductory Hula dance class where you will become familiar with basic Hula steps & hand movements.
America 250 Community Mini Art Show
Sat, May 02, All day
Visit the Burke Branch Library to view youth-made art celebrating American 250.
Coffee & Conversation
Sat, May 02, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Meeting Room
Join neighbors and other community members for conversation over a cup of coffee.
House Plant Swap
Sat, May 02, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Meeting Room
Do you love plants and/or looking to start or grow your collection? Find new friends and new plants by bringing house plants and cuttings to swap!
America 250 Community Mini Art Show
Sun, May 03, All day
Visit the Burke Branch Library to view youth-made art celebrating American 250.
America 250 Community Mini Art Show
Mon, May 04, All day
Visit the Burke Branch Library to view youth-made art celebrating American 250.
Senior Bingo
Mon, May 04, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Meeting Room
Join us to socialize and engage your mind with a game of bingo served with food, prizes, and fun. Registration is required.
English Language Learning (ELL)
Mon, May 04, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Room
English practice for English language learners. No registration is needed. Class is held in the Burke Branch Meeting Room.
AAR Movie Series
Mon, May 04, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Meeting Room
Join us on some fun adventures through the ages of America! (All ages)
Dungeons & Dragons - at Burke Branch Library
Mon, May 04, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Meeting Room
Join Dungeon Master Jacob on an epic adventure where you call the shots and leave fate up to the dice.
This event is full
America 250 Community Mini Art Show
Tue, May 05, All day
Visit the Burke Branch Library to view youth-made art celebrating American 250.
Family Storytime - Martes de niños
Tue, May 05, 10:15am - 11:15am
Meeting Room
Join us for a fun-filled hour of stories, music, and movement for ages 0-5!
Baby and Toddler Play Date
Tue, May 05, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Room
Join us for a special uninterrupted playtime with your child and meet other caregivers. Discover how play and learning go hand-in-hand. (ages 0-4).
America 250 Community Mini Art Show
Wed, May 06, All day
Visit the Burke Branch Library to view youth-made art celebrating American 250.
Stitcher's Space - Sew, quilt, knit, crochet, embroider! Every Wednesday!
Wed, May 06, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Meeting Room
Enjoy weekly sessions with other fiber artists. Bring and share your projects, and see others. Quilting tutorials will be provided on the first Wednesday of every month. No registration is required.
See all events