The 2017 Atlanta Science Festival takes place on March 14-25 throughout the Metro Atlanta area. In its fourth year, the festival shines a light on the science and technology community in our region, showcasing local discoveries, innovation, and learning opportunities. At dozens of engaging events, the festival features the businesses, universities, and cultural institutions that make Atlanta a science metropolis.
To officially kick-off the Atlanta Science Festival, highly decorated American astronaut Captain Mark Kelly will make a special appearance at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 14, at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church at Emory University.
The festival culminates on Saturday, March 25, at Centennial Olympic Park with a free, family friendly Exploration Expo from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Exploration Expo promotes science exploration, discovery and innovation through more than 100 interactive exhibits, hands-on experiments, mind blowing demos and performances.
Inspired by scientists, the Atlanta Science Festival was founded by Emory University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber.
The following events feature participation of Georgia Institute of Technology:
Thursday, March 16, 2017, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Georgia Tech Research Institute, 400 10th St, NW Atlanta GA 30318
ADMISSION: $125/person; $100/person for groups of 3+ (Get tickets in advance or at the door.)
Are you wanting to help your school become more STEAM focused, but not sure how? Georgia Tech’s Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC) invites you to the 2017 STEAM Leadership Institute. This event will feature interactive, educational sessions, engaging STEAM-focused work groups, and panel sessions with experts in the field. This event is designed for leaders and administrators at K-12 schools. Discounts are available for groups of 3 or more. Admission includes continental breakfast and lunch. Register here. Free parking is available in the garage.
Thursday, March 16, 2017, 5:30-7:30 PM
SweetWater Brewing Company,195 Ottley Dr NE Atlanta GA 30324
ADMISSION: $20 (Get tickets in advance or at the door.)
Have you ever wondered how so much delicious flavor finds its way into a bottle of beer? Join the Georgia Tech School of Physics and SweetWater Brewing Company for happy hour with scientists and brewmasters as we investigate the role of specific gravity in the fermentation process. Explore interactive home brewing demonstrations and take a guided tour of the SweetWater brewery. Attendees will enjoy all of their favorite SweetWater beverages in a keepsake Atlanta Science Festival Science beaker/pint glass. Space is limited so reserve your tickets online now!
Thursday, March 16, 2017, 7:30-9:00 PM
Highland Inn Ballroom, 644 North Highland Avenue NE Atlanta GA 30306
ADMISSION: $10 (Get tickets in advance or at the door)
The Story Collider brings true, personal stories about science to life. At this live show, you’ll hear from scientists about all the times things went wrong, and occasionally right, in their labs, and you’ll also hear from people who haven’t had a formal connection to science in years. We have physicists, comedians, neuroscientists, writers, actors, and many others telling their story. Some are heartbreaking; some are hilarious. They’re all true, and all, in one way or another, are about science. Read more about the storytellers for this show here and get your tickets in advance here.
5th Annual Latino College and STEM Fair
Saturday, March 18, 2017, 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Georgia Tech Student Center, 350 Ferst Drive NW Atlanta GA 30332
ADMISSION: Free
Join us for bilingual workshops, fun hands-on activities for the entire family, a college fair, a majors fair, as well as an inspirational panel with Latino college students, parents, professors, and other professionals. This will be a free, fun, educational, and inspiring event organized by Georgia Tech GoSTEM and the University of Georgia LISELL-B programs. You don’t want to miss it!
What's All the Buzz About Nanotechnology?
Saturday, March 18, 2017 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Marcus Nanotechnology Building, 345 Ferst Dr. Atlanta GA 30313
ADMISSION: Free
How do scientists and engineers interact with a world too small to see? Learn how at Georgia Tech’s Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology. Explore how micro- and nanoscale objects can be seen with powerful microscopes. Learn hands-on about unique properties at the nanoscale. Bring a sample (must be dry and smaller than an inch) to scan with our tabletop scanning electron microscope, and take home a digital copy of what we see. Parking is available in the visitor lot across the street and open in the faculty/staff lot.
Saturday, March 18, 2017, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Hollis Innovation Academy, 225 Griffin St NW Atlanta GA 30314
ADMISSION: Free
Build your own innovative car and bring it to Nerdy Derby for some fun, crazy racing. Or come and get help from folks from Georgia Tech and Decatur Makers to create your own personalized vehicle to speed down the 30+ foot track. The Nerdy Derby is a twist on the Pinewood Derby, but where all rules are thrown out and the focus is on rewarding creativity, cleverness, and ingenuity. Competition categories include slowest, fastest, funniest epic fail, cutest, and many others. Cars can be made from metal, wood, plastic, Legos, cardboard, cheese, or whatever you can dream up. Just make sure the wheels are 1¾” apart and the car isn’t more than 8” high or 5” wide.
Saturday, March 18, 2017, 7:30-9:00 PM
Manuel’s Tavern, 602 North Highland Ave NE Atlanta GA 30307
ADMISSION: Free (RSVP preferred)
Join us for an evening of getting into the weeds...of weed. Science comedian and Georgia Tech chemical engineering professor Pete Ludovice will share with us his research on the science of cannabis biochemistry and production, and his recent work consulting on a TV show on cooking with cannabis. Get more info here.
Sunday, March 19, 2017, 2:30-4:00 PM
Buck’s Sports Barn, 2303B Peachtree Rd Atlanta GA 30309
ADMISSION: $12 presale, $15 at the door
Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! Step right up and be a part of Circus Science! Immerse yourself in the circus arts while learning basic scientific principles that make these amazing feats of strength and balance possible. We will incorporate traditional circus disciplines, demonstrated by skilled Imperial Opa Circus acrobats, and scientific principles, explained by Georgia Tech “Science Clowns.” to entertain and educate you. You will even have the opportunity to participate in learning several circus skills in order to experience the science within first hand! Get your tickets here.
Note: There is a second session of Circus Science at 5pm.
Please note that this event listing reflects the updated time for the event (different from the booklet listing).
Sunday, March 19, 2017, 5:00-6:30 PM
Buck's Sports Barn, 2303B Peachtree Rd Atlanta GA 30309
ADMISSION: $12 presale, $15 at the door
Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! Step right up and be a part of Circus Science! Immerse yourself in the circus arts while learning basic scientific principles that make these amazing feats of strength and balance possible. We will incorporate traditional circus disciplines, demonstrated by skilled Imperial Opa Circus acrobats, and scientific principles, explained by Georgia Tech “Science Clowns,” to entertain and educate you. You will even have the opportunity to participate in learning several circus skills in order to experience the science within first hand! Get your tickets here.
Note: There is an earlier session of this event at 2:30pm.
Please note that this event listing reflects the updated time for the event (different from the booklet listing).
Sunday, March 19, 2017, 7:00-9:30 PM
Smith’s Olde Bar, 578 Piedmont Ave NE Atlanta GA 30324
ADMISSION: Free
Earth’s first genetically modified rock band, Leucine Zipper and the Zinc Fingers, emerges from their labs at Georgia Tech and Zoo Atlanta to laugh it up with members of the Geekapalooza comedy tour in this night of science-themed music and comedy. Learn more and connect with us through our Facebook event.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017, 7:30-9:30 PM
Whole World Improv, 1216 Spring Street Atlanta GA 30309
ADMISSION: $10 ($5 for students)
Improv comedy with a science twist! Georgia Tech scientists, improvisation artists, and the audience combine to show the lighter side of science and life in the lab through short improv games and sketches. Get your tickets now!
Friday, March 24, 2017, 7:00-10:00 PM
Ferst Center for the Arts, 349 Ferst Drive Atlanta GA 30332
ADMISSION: $28 ($22 with discount code)
Join us for an evening of arts, choreography, and innovation. Atlanta’s Dance Canvas and Arts @Tech come together to explore the bridges between movement, technology, science, and life. With a focus on humanity, culture, and how dance can innovate, this performance highlights the creativity of emerging new voices in dance. The performance begins at 8:00 PM, but come at 7:00 PM for a special ASF talk-back with choreographers Adam McKinney and Emily Cargill to discuss collaborations between arts & tech. For tickets, call the Ferst Center Box Office at 404-894-9600. Use the code SCIENCE to save 25% on tickets.
Georgia Tech's Hungry Hungry Robots
Saturday, March 25, 2017, 11:00 AM to 4 PM
Centennial Olympic Park, 265 Park Ave W NW Atlanta GA 30313
ADMISSION: Free
Come to Makers Meet to compete in Georgia Tech’s Hungry Hungry Robots! Race against the clock to collect more balls than your competitor using remote controlled robots! Innovation and Ingenuity will lead you to victory in this interactive, hands-on event!
Saturday, March 25, 2017, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Centennial Olympic Park, 265 Park Ave W NW Atlanta GA 30313
ADMISSION: Free
Atlanta’s biggest interactive science event is FREE and open to adults, families, and children of all ages and interests. The Exploration Expo promotes science exploration, discovery, and innovation with more than 100 interactive exhibits, hands-on experiments, mind-blowing demos, and performances! Learn more here.
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For More Information Contact
A. Maureen Rouhi, Ph.D.
Director of Communications
College of Sciences
