George Mason University hosts Congresswoman at Potomac Science Center

On Wednesday, April 12, Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger visited George Mason University’s Potomac Science Center in Woodbridge, which is now part of the congresswoman’s district. Mason President Gregory Washington met with the congresswoman to introduce her to the research and education programs at the Potomac Science Center and share the contributions the center is making to the preservation of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

She also met with faculty to hear about Potomac River restoration; sustainability practices; K-12 programs; tidal Potomac water quality; aquatic vegetation and aquatic resource management; fisheries ecology; non-native species; coastal, riverine, and urban flooding; dynamics and hydrodynamics of manned and unmanned vessels; and Mason’s innovative technologies in the area of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, robotics, smart grid, autonomous systems, and advanced communications.

Located along Belmont Bay near the mouth of the Occoquan River, this 50,000 square-foot LEED Silver research facility houses laboratories for teaching and research, lecture rooms, event space, outdoor trails, and a library/resource center. The 250-square-foot Living Wall faces the bay is covered in plantings and supported by harvested rainwater and building condensate.