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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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We're closed Sunday April 05 due to Easter Sunday
Mon, Mar 30 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Mar 31 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Apr 01 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Apr 02 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Apr 03 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Apr 04 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Apr 05 Closed
(Easter Sunday)
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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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Games of the States - Games for ages 6-12
Sat, Apr 04, 11:00am - 3:00pm
Celebrate America 250 with board games about the states. Ages 6-12
GED & Adult Literacy Tutoring
Sat, Apr 04, 1:00pm - 1:55pm
Second Floor
Looking to strengthen reading skills and prepare for the high school equivalency GED test? Come for supportive tutoring to practice reading and/or review questions, studying tips and taking the test.
English Conversation Club - Develop & Practice Your English Conversation Skills
Sat, Apr 04, 2:00pm - 2:55pm
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, Apr 04, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Second Floor
Develop and exercise your Spanish conversation skills. Ages 14+
Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art - Art Exhibit featuring the Works of the Boys & Girls Club
Mon, Apr 06, All day
Running through Earth Month, Barrett Branch will feature art created by the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club accompanied by facts on plastic pollution and its impact on our planet.
AAR Teen Book Party! - Eat pizza, make friends, and talk about books!
Mon, Apr 06, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Second Floor
Let's eat pizza, discuss "Rebellion: 1776" by Laurie Halse Anderson, and share additional recommendations for Young Adult (teen) Historical Fiction books set in the United States of America!
Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art - Art Exhibit featuring the Works of the Boys & Girls Club
Tue, Apr 07, All day
Running through Earth Month, Barrett Branch will feature art created by the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club accompanied by facts on plastic pollution and its impact on our planet.
Sunshine Readers - An outside book club!
Tue, Apr 07, 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!
Baby and Toddler Time - La hora de los bebés y los niños
Tue, Apr 07, 11:00am - 11:35am
Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.
Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art - Art Exhibit featuring the Works of the Boys & Girls Club
Wed, Apr 08, All day
Running through Earth Month, Barrett Branch will feature art created by the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club accompanied by facts on plastic pollution and its impact on our planet.
Just Babies - Solo Los Bebés
Wed, Apr 08, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.
Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art - Art Exhibit featuring the Works of the Boys & Girls Club
Thu, Apr 09, All day
Running through Earth Month, Barrett Branch will feature art created by the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club accompanied by facts on plastic pollution and its impact on our planet.
Preschool Story Time - Story Time for ages 2-5
Thu, Apr 09, 11:00am - 11:40am
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5.
American Style Mahjong - Let's play Mahjong!
Thu, Apr 09, 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, Apr 09, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art - Art Exhibit featuring the Works of the Boys & Girls Club
Fri, Apr 10, All day
Running through Earth Month, Barrett Branch will feature art created by the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club accompanied by facts on plastic pollution and its impact on our planet.
Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art - Art Exhibit featuring the Works of the Boys & Girls Club
Sat, Apr 11, All day
Running through Earth Month, Barrett Branch will feature art created by the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club accompanied by facts on plastic pollution and its impact on our planet.
Alexandria Film Festival - "High Society" (1956)
Sat, Apr 11, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Second Floor
Join us for a "High Society" (1956) showing!
Games of the States - Games for ages 6-12
Sat, Apr 11, 11:00am - 3:00pm
Celebrate America 250 with board games about the states. Ages 6-12
Alexandria Black History Walking Tour - Manumission Tours
Sat, Apr 11, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Outdoors
Manumission Tour Company will lead a 90-minute Black History walking tour leaving from outside Barrett Library.
Building Better Bonds! - Positive reinforcement training and bonding with your pet!
Sat, Apr 11, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Second Floor
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.
Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art - Art Exhibit featuring the Works of the Boys & Girls Club
Sun, Apr 12, All day
Running through Earth Month, Barrett Branch will feature art created by the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club accompanied by facts on plastic pollution and its impact on our planet.
Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art - Art Exhibit featuring the Works of the Boys & Girls Club
Mon, Apr 13, All day
Running through Earth Month, Barrett Branch will feature art created by the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club accompanied by facts on plastic pollution and its impact on our planet.
Rescheduled
AAR Tween Book Party! - Eat pizza, make friends, and talk about books!
Mon, Apr 13, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
New date Wednesday, April 22, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Let's eat pizza, talk about "Freewater" by Amina Luqman-Dawson and share additional recommendations for Historical Fiction books set in the United States of America!
Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art - Art Exhibit featuring the Works of the Boys & Girls Club
Tue, Apr 14, All day
Running through Earth Month, Barrett Branch will feature art created by the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club accompanied by facts on plastic pollution and its impact on our planet.
Bilingual Storytime - Hora de cuentos bilingue
Tue, Apr 14, 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, Apr 14, 11:00am - 11:35am
Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.
Foreign Policy
Tue, Apr 14, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Ambassador (ret.) Richard D. Kauzlarich will review the current Administration's foreign policy as it affects relations with the states of the former Soviet Union and energy.
Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art - Art Exhibit featuring the Works of the Boys & Girls Club
Wed, Apr 15, All day
Running through Earth Month, Barrett Branch will feature art created by the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club accompanied by facts on plastic pollution and its impact on our planet.
Just Babies - Solo Los Bebés
Wed, Apr 15, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.
Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art - Art Exhibit featuring the Works of the Boys & Girls Club
Thu, Apr 16, All day
Running through Earth Month, Barrett Branch will feature art created by the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club accompanied by facts on plastic pollution and its impact on our planet.
PreSchool Story Time: American Folk Songs
Thu, Apr 16, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
PreSchool Story Time celebrates our country with traditional songs and stories.
Carefull Knit & Crochet - America250
Thu, Apr 16, 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.
Cancelled
Dungeons and Dragons: Teen Group! - Adventure awaits!
Thu, Apr 16, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Looking for a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
Dungeons and Dragons Adult Group: Group B - Adventure awaits!
Thu, Apr 16, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art - Art Exhibit featuring the Works of the Boys & Girls Club
Fri, Apr 17, All day
Running through Earth Month, Barrett Branch will feature art created by the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club accompanied by facts on plastic pollution and its impact on our planet.
Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art - Art Exhibit featuring the Works of the Boys & Girls Club
Sat, Apr 18, All day
Running through Earth Month, Barrett Branch will feature art created by the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club accompanied by facts on plastic pollution and its impact on our planet.
Games of the States - Games for ages 6-12
Sat, Apr 18, 11:00am - 3:00pm
Celebrate America 250 with board games about the states. Ages 6-12
Language & Latinidad in The Nation’s Capital
Sat, Apr 18, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Second Floor
Dr. Tseng, Professor of Spanish and Linguistics at American University, will discuss the history of Latin American immigration to the DC Metro Area and how its shaped a unique regional language.
Dungeons & Dragons at the Library
Sat, Apr 18, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Second Floor
Come play Dungeons & Dragons. No experience necessary. Open to ages 8-13.
This event is full
Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art - Art Exhibit featuring the Works of the Boys & Girls Club
Sun, Apr 19, All day
Running through Earth Month, Barrett Branch will feature art created by the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club accompanied by facts on plastic pollution and its impact on our planet.
Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art - Art Exhibit featuring the Works of the Boys & Girls Club
Mon, Apr 20, All day
Running through Earth Month, Barrett Branch will feature art created by the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club accompanied by facts on plastic pollution and its impact on our planet.
Horror Fans Unite! - A year-round horror club!
Mon, Apr 20, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
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!
Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art - Art Exhibit featuring the Works of the Boys & Girls Club
Tue, Apr 21, All day
Running through Earth Month, Barrett Branch will feature art created by the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club accompanied by facts on plastic pollution and its impact on our planet.
Bilingual Storytime - Hora de cuentos bilingue
Tue, Apr 21, 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, Apr 21, 11:00am - 11:35am
Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.
Death Café
Tue, Apr 21, 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.
Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art - Art Exhibit featuring the Works of the Boys & Girls Club
Wed, Apr 22, All day
Running through Earth Month, Barrett Branch will feature art created by the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club accompanied by facts on plastic pollution and its impact on our planet.
Just Babies - Solo Los Bebés
Wed, Apr 22, 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, Apr 22, 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!
AAR Tween Book Party! - Eat pizza, make friends, and talk about books!
Wed, Apr 22, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Second Floor
Let's eat pizza, talk about "Freewater" by Amina Luqman-Dawson and share additional recommendations for Historical Fiction books set in the United States of America!
Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art - Art Exhibit featuring the Works of the Boys & Girls Club
Thu, Apr 23, All day
Running through Earth Month, Barrett Branch will feature art created by the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club accompanied by facts on plastic pollution and its impact on our planet.
Preschool Story Time - Story Time for ages 2-5
Thu, Apr 23, 11:00am - 11:40am
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5.
American Style Mahjong - Let's play Mahjong!
Thu, Apr 23, 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, Apr 23, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
See all events