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a photo of a Mad Science presenter in a white lab coat, surrounded by flames

Mad Science

Fire and Ice
2026-07-01 16:00:00 2026-07-01 16:45:00 America/New_York Mad Science Sizzling fun as the Mad Scientist demonstrates properties of fire and ice. Ages 6+ Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area

Wednesday, July 01
4:00pm - 4:45pm

Add to Calendar 2026-07-01 16:00:00 2026-07-01 16:45:00 America/New_York Mad Science Sizzling fun as the Mad Scientist demonstrates properties of fire and ice. Ages 6+ Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area

Sizzling fun as the Mad Scientist demonstrates properties of fire and ice. Ages 6+

Learn about the amazing properties of fire and combustion as the Mad Scientist produces a flaming fireball. Then, cool off with spectacular demonstrations involving dry ice with foggy dry ice storms, piezo poppers and more! Ages 6+

SummerQuest Jr. is made possible through a generous grant from the James M. Duncan, Jr. Library Foundation, Inc. SummerQuest is made possible through support from the Alexandria Library Foundation, Inc., the Friends of Beatley Central Library, Friends of Barrett Library, Friends of Burke Library, and Friends of Duncan Library.

 

AGE GROUP: | Children |

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

TAGS: | SummerQuest | summer reading | Summer Quest | STEM | STEAM | Science | Mad Science | #SummerQuest |

Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
jcahill@alexlibraryva.org
Phone: 703.746.1703
Fax: 703.746.1708
Branch manager
James Cahill
Hours
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Mon, May 18 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, May 19 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, May 20 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, May 21 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, May 22 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, May 23 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, May 24 1:00PM to 5:00PM
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About the branch

Parking: No library parking lot.  Street parking is available.  A paid parking lot is available on the 100 block of North Alfred Street. 

Public Transit:

  • Metrorail: Yellow and Blue lines at Braddock Road (1 mile) and King Street Stations (1.1 miles). 
  • Metrobus: A11, A12, F19
  • DASH Bus: 30, 31, Old Town Circulator
  • King Street Trolley:  King & Columbus

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org or call 703.746.1701 or TTY 703.746.1790.

Upcoming Events

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Medicare 101 - Helping you navigate Medicare with VA Insurance Counseling
Mon, May 18, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Come learn about your Medicare options – Original Medicare (Parts A & B), Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D), and Medicare Supplement (Medigap).
Horror Fans Unite! - A year-round horror club!
Mon, May 18, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Do you like scary movies, books, tv shows, or video games? Do you enjoy making horror themed DIY projects? This is the event for you!
Bilingual Storytime - Hora de cuentos bilingue
Tue, May 19, 10:30am - 10:45am
Youth Services Area
Start your morning with stories, rhymes and songs in English and Spanish ¡Empieza su mañana con cuentos, rimas y canciones en inglés y español!
Baby and Toddler Time - La hora de los bebés y los niños
Tue, May 19, 11:00am - 11:35am
Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.
Death Café
Tue, May 19, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Take part in a group-led discussion about death and dying without any set agenda, objectives, or themes. Tea and sweets will be provided.
This event is full
Just Babies - Solo Los Bebés
Wed, May 20, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.
Painternoon - A monthly painting club!
Wed, May 20, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Second Floor
Let's paint at the Library! Enjoy a tutorial with instructions on how to create the monthly painting or create your own unique work of art!
This event is full
Preschool Story Time - Story Time for ages 2-5
Thu, May 21, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5.
Carefull Knit & Crochet - America250
Thu, May 21, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Contribute to Barrett Branch’s fiber arts group making scarves to donate. Visit our display in honor of America250 and our work to build a community of care. Add your scarf to the collection.
Dungeons and Dragons Adult Group: Group B - Adventure awaits!
Thu, May 21, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
This event is full
Dungeons and Dragons: Teen Group! - Adventure awaits!
Thu, May 21, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
First Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
This event is full
Building Better Bonds! - Positive reinforcement training and bonding with your pet!
Sat, May 23, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
AWLA's Behavior and Training Manager will provide tips for living harmoniously with your dog or cat at home, answer specific questions about your pet, and chat about AWLA's Alexandria Animal Academy.
Bilingual Storytime - Hora de cuentos bilingue
Tue, May 26, 10:30am - 10:45am
Youth Services Area
Start your morning with stories, rhymes and songs in English and Spanish ¡Empieza su mañana con cuentos, rimas y canciones en inglés y español!
Baby and Toddler Time - La hora de los bebés y los niños
Tue, May 26, 11:00am - 11:35am
Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.
Eco:mmunion - Conversations to Sustain People and Planet
Tue, May 26, 6:45pm - 7:45pm
Looking for a space to talk about climate change and the things affected that we love? Join us for a monthly discussion focused on a relevant topic. Register to receive the materials suggestions.
Just Babies - Solo Los Bebés
Wed, May 27, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.
Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Tasting - Asian American and Pacific Islander Sci-Fi & Fantasy Authors
Wed, May 27, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Second Floor
Let's celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by talking about Science Fiction and Fantasy books by Asian American and Pacific Islander authors.
Preschool Story Time - Story Time for ages 2-5
Thu, May 28, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5.
American Style Mahjong - Let's play Mahjong!
Thu, May 28, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Second Floor
The Barrett Branch Mahjong group meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Space is available for up to 12 players, so it's first come first served as game tables fill.
Dungeons and Dragons Adult Group: Group A - Adventure awaits!
Thu, May 28, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
This event is full
The CHAT - Change Happens with Alexandria Teens
Sat, May 30, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Second Floor
Ages 14-19. Participate in this special recorded conversation about being a teen in Alexandria.
Kids Book Journaling Workshop - Join us to create your very own book journal!
Sat, May 30, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Youth Services Area
Where reading, scrapbooking, and journaling come together! Kids ages 6-12 will learn a creative way to keep a record of their reading for the year. Registration is required.
Introduction to Hemming 
Mon, Jun 01, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Learn how to hem your pants, shorts, skirts and dresses. Experienced volunteers will explain the basics of hemming, style options and methods, followed by time to hem an item of your choosing.
This event is full
Sunshine Readers - An outside book club!
Tue, Jun 02, 10:00am - 11:30am
Outdoors
Let's get some fresh air and enjoy some sunshine as we discuss the latest books we've been reading!
Bilingual Storytime - Hora de cuentos bilingue
Tue, Jun 02, 10:30am - 10:45am
Youth Services Area
Start your morning with stories, rhymes and songs in English and Spanish ¡Empieza su mañana con cuentos, rimas y canciones en inglés y español!
Baby and Toddler Time - La hora de los bebés y los niños
Tue, Jun 02, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.
Divorce: What You Need To Know
Tue, Jun 02, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Second Floor
Veronica Holmes, Esquire, will discuss the fundamentals of divorce law—including policies, process and procedure—in Virginia.
Just Babies - Solo Los Bebés
Wed, Jun 03, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.
Preschool Story Time - Story Time for ages 2-5
Thu, Jun 04, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5.
Carefull Knit & Crochet - America250
Thu, Jun 04, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Contribute to Barrett Branch’s fiber arts group making scarves to donate. Visit our display in honor of America250 and our work to build a community of care. Add your scarf to the collection.
Dungeons and Dragons Adult Group: Group B - Adventure awaits!
Thu, Jun 04, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
Dungeons and Dragons: Teen Group! - Adventure awaits!
Thu, Jun 04, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Youth Services Area
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
Period Products 101 - Exploring Reusable and Disposable Options for Young People
Sat, Jun 06, 10:00am - 11:30am
102 N Fayette St.
Calling young minds 9 to 15 years old! Come to Ms. Moxie's Moon Shop to uncover the ins and outs of both disposable and reusable period products. Dads are encouraged to attend!
English Conversation Club - Develop & Practice Your English Conversation Skills
Sat, Jun 06, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Second Floor
Welcome! Are you looking to improve your English language skills? Join us for English conversation practice, with new topics each session! Ages 14+
Spanish Conversation Club
Sat, Jun 06, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Second Floor
Develop and exercise your Spanish conversation skills. Ages 14+
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