Anyone can take part in a citizen science project that will contribute to our knowledge of periodical cicadas by submitting observations of cicada sightings to the Magicicada Mapping Project, sponsored by the National Geographic Society. Equipped with accurate maps of periodical cicada emergences, scientists are better able to unlock the mysteries of the cicada.

Susan and Rick Mudd and their children Paige, David and Sam recently raised the roof at the Science Museum of Virginia. Literally. They raised AND collapsed the roof of a wooden dome while they learned all about buildings - inside and out. “Raise the Roof” is more than an exhibit. It’s an immersion in how buildings work and is at the Science Museum of Virginia now until April 28th. You still have time to go and try your hand at all of the great activities that help you explore the physics of architecture.

Want to be part of the Engineering Excitement this weekend? Sunday, February 10th from noon to 5:00 p.m., hundreds of middle and high school students will converge on the Science Museum of Virginia to compete in the Egg Drop and Bridge Building Competitions. This annual event is sponsored by the Richmond Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Richmond Joint Engineer's Council. You’ll get to see creative designs and problem solving from across Virginia. Which egg or bridge will survive this year?

HP Newquist, Executive Director and Founder of the National GUITAR Museum and Prabir Mehta, guitarist for local rock and roll band Goldrush, are both passionate about guitars. I had the opportunity to talk with them recently about the guitar’s history and engineering while visiting the exhibition “GUITAR: The Instrument that Rocked the World” at the Science Museum of Virginia. This is a great exhibition to visit over the holidays for it runs through January 6, 2013. Watch the Science Matters video featuring Newquist and Mehta sharing their thoughts about the world's most popular instrument.