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Waldorf, Md. — The James E. Richmond Science Center in Charles County kicks off the holiday season with a series of full-dome movies and immersive shows designed for families and science enthusiasts. Located at St. Charles High School, 5305 Piney Church Road, the center hosts these public events throughout December 2025, blending entertainment with educational elements like planetarium presentations and interactive exhibits. Doors open at 6 p.m. for most evening shows, allowing time for exploration before screenings begin at 6:30 p.m.
The lineup features two holiday-themed films and a special multimedia production. “Let it Snow,” a 60-minute presentation, showcases holiday classics performed by artists including Frank Sinatra, Chuck Berry, Brenda Lee and Burl Ives, paired with thematic animations, special effects and a finale featuring the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Screenings are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 10, 16 and 17. The following evening, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m., “The Light Before Christmas” offers a 30-minute story of two children rescued on Christmas Eve by a wise figure who shares tales of wisdom and light. Both films include a short planetarium segment highlighting seasonal night skies.
Complementing the films is “Beautifica: A Celebration of Life,” an original dome experience by composer James Hood. This 45-minute show merges light, sound and visuals to evoke themes of vitality and wonder. Performances run at 6:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Dec. 6 and 13, with an additional 5 p.m. slot on Dec. 20. Hood, known for drumming with The Pretenders in the 1980s and creating the globally acclaimed “Mesmerica” — an immersive 360-degree audio-visual journey that has drawn over 500,000 attendees since 2018 — brings his expertise in ambient electronica and multi-sensory design to the production. “Beautifica” builds on his earlier works, using custom animations and rhythmic textures to immerse viewers in a dome-spanning narrative.
Tickets cost $8 for adults and children ages 4 and older. Admission is free for center members, children younger than 4 and Charles County Public Schools staff with valid identification. Reservations are recommended, particularly for “Beautifica,” available through the center’s booking system. General inquiries and dome show details are posted on the center’s site.
Beyond the screenings, visitors can engage with the center’s core exhibits. The NOAA Science on a Sphere, a 6-foot-diameter globe developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, projects animated data visualizations of Earth systems, from weather patterns to ocean currents. This school-based installation, one of only four in Maryland, supports lessons in environmental science and climate dynamics. Adjacent is the hands-on Discovery Lab, where participants experiment with physics demonstrations, robotics kits and biology interactives tailored to multi-disciplinary learning. These elements tie into the center’s goal of fostering STEAM — science, technology, engineering, arts and math — skills for Charles County’s 27,598 students across 37 schools.
The December events align with broader winter programming at the center, including a Snowman Party on Dec. 16 that pairs a double feature of “Let it Snow” and “The Light Before Christmas” with STEM activities focused on snow science and design challenges. Such initiatives extend the center’s reach, serving over 24,000 students annually through 300 field trips while opening doors to the community. Public access has grown since the center’s inception, reflecting Charles County’s emphasis on accessible education in Southern Maryland.
Named for James E. Richmond, a former superintendent who championed innovative learning spaces, the center opened in 2014 after partnerships with the Space Foundation and figures like astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. Richmond’s vision emphasized experiential tools to bridge classroom curricula with real-world applications, from stellar evolution to human impacts on the planet. Housed in Maryland’s largest school planetarium — a 60-foot Digistar 7 dome seating 184 — the facility elevates topics like earth systems and biology through immersive formats. For instance, dome shows often incorporate live astronomy to explain concepts from Charles County Public Schools’ ninth-grade Earth Systems course, which covers climate models and inquiry-based labs.
In Southern Maryland, where communities like Waldorf balance suburban growth with natural landscapes along the Potomac River, venues like the James E. Richmond Science Center provide vital outlets for family outings and lifelong learning. The center’s programs draw from local educational frameworks, preparing students for careers in STEM fields amid regional demands for skills in cybersecurity, robotics and environmental monitoring. Past events have highlighted ties to nearby landmarks, such as simulations of Chesapeake Bay ecosystems via the Science on a Sphere, underscoring the area’s maritime heritage.
As December progresses, these shows offer a structured escape into science-infused storytelling. Families can arrive early to navigate the exhibits, where Newton’s laws come alive through pendulum swings or magnetic puzzles. The dome’s curved screen envelops viewers, making abstract ideas tangible — whether tracing holiday constellations or pondering life’s rhythms in “Beautifica.” For educators, the free staff admission facilitates scouting for class trips, aligning with CCPS’s strategic plan through 2029 to integrate technology into progressive curricula.
The center operates year-round, but holiday programming stands out for its blend of tradition and innovation. “Let it Snow” revives mid-20th-century crooners against modern visuals, while Hood’s work echoes ambient pioneers like Brian Eno, adapted for dome acoustics. These choices cater to diverse ages, from young children grasping basic astronomy to adults reflecting on environmental data projections.
For those planning visits, parking is ample at St. Charles High School, with accessibility accommodations available upon request. Contact director Monique Wilson at 301-934-7464 or [email protected] for group bookings or special needs. Full schedules and virtual tours are online. As the month unfolds, the James E. Richmond Science Center remains a cornerstone of Charles County’s educational landscape, turning the dome into a portal for discovery amid the winter chill.
