Georgia Institute of Technology is proud to be a key partner and sponsor of the 2016 Atlanta Science Festival (ASF). The weeklong science celebration takes place on March 19-26 in various venues in the city, as well as in the Georgia Tech Campus.

As in previous years, ASF is expected to attract huge numbers of curious people, young and old.

“I’m thrilled by the size of the crowds that ASF is attracting to its numerous events,” said College of Sciences Dean Paul M. Goldbart. “We’ve long known that science paves the way for the advances in technology and medicine that enrich the quality of our lives. But the recent explosion in our fascination with technology seems to have triggered a thirst in the community to know more about science and mathematics themselves, and I’m delighted that Georgia Tech and our festival partners are helping satisfy this thirst.”

“We are especially eager to spark young people’s interest in careers in science,” Dean Goldbart added. “We’d love for them to become students at Georgia Tech and join us in our quest to advance the frontiers of scientific knowledge.” 

The Georgia Tech community will be hosting 10 events through March 25. On March 26, 13 Georgia Tech exhibitors will join others at the Exploration Expo, which will be held at Centennial Olympic Park from 11am to 5pm.

Below is a complete list of Georgia Tech-hosted events. You may also download the program from here.

Saturday, March 19, 2016

KIDS Club - Kids Interested in Discovering Science!
(9:00am to 12:00pm) Georgia Tech Instructional Center
Enjoy Saturday morning science fun with Georgia Tech’s K.I.D.S. Club! Age-appropriate, student-centered, hands-on activities will encourage curiosity and enthusiasm for science, technology, and mathematics. 2nd-5th graders will make discoveries through STEM enrichment programming, while 6th-12th graders learn about App Development and LEGO robotics! Admission $40 or $60 per family.

STEM Mini Conference
(9:00am to 1:00pm) Georgia Tech CULC
Georgia Tech’s Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC) hosts middle and high school science and math teachers in a STEM Mini-Conference that will focus on real-world applications of mathematics and science. This event will feature activity-based sessions conducted by faculty and graduate students from Georgia Tech, Clayton State University, and other USG institutions. Registration required http://b.gatech.edu/1RRKJ0p.

What’s All the Buzz about Nanotechnology?
(10:00am to 1:00pm) Marcus Nanotechnology Building
How do scientists and engineers interact with a world too small for the eyes 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 to view with our tabletop scanning electron microscope (sample must be dry and smaller than an inch), and take home a digital copy of what we see!

4th Annual Latino College and STEM Fair
(9:00am to 2:30pm) Georgia Tech Student Center
Bilingual workshops, fun hands-on activities for the entire family, a college fair, a majors fair, and a panel with Latino college students, parents, professors, and other professionals. This will be a free, fun, educational, and inspiring event organized by the Georgia Tech-CEISMC GoSTEM and the University of Georgia LISELL-B programs.

Sunday, March 20, 2016

The Science of Circus
(2:00pm to 6:00pm) Buck’s Sports Barn 2303 Peachtree Rd
Ladies and Gentlemen! Boys and Girls! Step right up and be a part of the Science of Circus! The Imperial Opa Circus and scientists from Georgia Tech will be combining powers to bring an interactive circus science experience to Atlanta! Find out about forces in aerial trapeze! Be mystified by momentum in tumbling tricks! Encounter the counterbalances in acro balance feats! Admission $10; $8 before March 19.

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Science Today
(7:00pm to 9:00pm) Avondale Towne Cinema
Stephen Colbert may have taken over as the king of late night talk shows, but he’s got nothing on local science talk show hosts Pete Ludovice and Lew Lefton. Monologues! A house band! Celebrity [scientist] interviews! You don’t want to miss out on your chance to be in the audience for this evening of science- themed hilarity. Admission $5.

Monday, March 21, 2016

Geekapalooza

(8:00pm to 9:30pm) Gordon Biersch Brewery – Buckhead
Since 2010, the Geekapalooza Comedy Tour has been using stand-up comedy to prove that nerds can be funny, and not just funny-looking. Join these Georgia Tech student and faculty comedians in ASF’s third year of stand-up comedy with a decidedly science & technology theme. Admission $5 students; $10 adults.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Science Improv
(7:30pm to 9:30pm) Whole World Improv Theatre
Improv comedy with a science twist! 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. Admission $5 students; $10 adults.

Science of Beer
(6:00pm to 9:00pm) SweetWater Brewing Company
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 an evening with scientists and brewmasters as we investigate the science of fermentation. Explore interactive home-brewing demonstrations and take a guided tour of the brewery. Attendees will enjoy 36 oz (that’s 1,064.65 mL) of their favorite SweetWater samplings in a keepsake ASF beaker/pint glass. Space is limited. Adults age 21 and over only. Admission $18.

Friday, March 25, 2016

The Leucine Zipper Science Show: Spring Break Edition!
(7:30-9:30pm) Historic Academy of Medicine
Ever been to a spring break party with a volcano simulation, Polynesian fire dancing, and the science of the spine limbo contest? Atlanta’s favorite genetically modified punk rock band returns to ASF with a variety show that’s all about the beach! Come dressed as your favorite aspect of the Bikini Atoll, get ready for a fluid dynamics ice luge race (for the 21+ attendees), and much, much, more! Admission $10; $5 students.

Exploration Expo!

Saturday, March 26, 11am-5pm

Centennial Olympic Park

What Kind of Bear Dissolves Well in Water? (Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society)
Learn about polarity and its broad applications across a number of subspecialties in the field of chemistry.

The Science of Polymers (Student Polymer Network)
From diapers to displays, we’ll explain how polymers are shaping the 21st century.

Super Cool Computer Science by Georgia Tech! (College of Computing)
Robots and Animatronics will be available for interaction with the kids, as well as programmed games, videos, and computer-generated music!

Designing for a Better World(Georgia Tech Human Factors and Ergonomics Society)
Come check out “Designing for a Better World” to learn how psychologists design everyday things to make them easier to use!

Ocean Discovery Zone(School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences)
Discover the tools used by marine scientists in deep sea research! Explore the Gulf of Mexico and learn about the importance of healthy oceans.

Jump Higher, Go Further, Be Stronger (Georgia Tech School of Applied Physiology)
Learn about hydration, length, and electrical activity of muscles, and elastic energy in your body!

Edible Vesicles (Bioengineering and Bioscience Unified Graduate Students)
Experience the formation of edible alginate beads, learn the chemistry behind this seemingly magical phenomenon, and taste them yourself!

Genes by All Means (Bioengineering and Bioscience Unified Graduate Students)
We know that DNA is the template of life, but did you know you can extract it from food? Watch DNA be extracted before your eyes!

Stem Cell Plinko (Bioengineering and Bioscience Unified Graduate Students)
How does a stem cell decide what type of cell to become? Come play an interactive plinko game to learn how scientists control stem cells.

Planets, Moons, and More from our Solar System! (Planetary Society)
See demos and get handouts designed to convey fascinating concepts and exciting new results from Solar System planets and bodies.

Makers Meet (CEISMC)
Come to Makers Meet to compete in Georgia Tech's Hungry Hungry Robots and Robo Dash to enjoy fun-filled adventures with family and friends!

Papermaking(Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking)
Discover how paper is made—from pulp to finished product. Take home your very own sheet of paper!

The Origins of Multicellularity (School of Biology)
The earth would be a boring place without multicellular organisms. Come explore the first steps in this major biological innovation!