The inaugural event was held from April 15, 2011, through April 28, 2011.[1][2] Subsequently, the festival has been held every year in the second half of April. The festival stretches over a number of days and features events held throughout the city. It culminates with a Festival on Saturday that is typically held on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Mission
The stated mission of the festival is to bring together Philadelphia's schools, universities, cultural institutions and research centers as a single, united voice to put science in the spotlight. Scientists and engineers come together to present fun, interactive programs for Philadelphians of all ages.[3]
The inaugural festival began with a Carnival in Logan Circle on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. This all-day event featured more than 80 exhibitors offering experiments, interactive activities, games and live entertainment. The Philadelphia Book Festival's Street Fair was held in conjunction with the carnival.
Between April 18 and 27, scientists, engineers and other experts offered more than 50 programs in local libraries and community centers.[5]
On the 21st, an Astronomy night was held in the observatories at Drexel University, The University of Pennsylvania and the Franklin Institute. Stargazing sites were also set up at community centers, charter schools and even a burial ground. Derek Pitts, Chief Astronomer of the Franklin Institute made the rounds of the various star gazing sites.[6]NASA Astronaut Guion Bluford made a special appearance at the University of the Sciences.
Between April 15 and 28, a series of Science Conversations were held on a wide ranging array of topics at a number of venues across the city.
During the second week of the Festival, restaurants, bars and cafes served as locales for discourse on a wide range of scientific topics.
Throughout the month of April, the city explored the interaction between art and science, focusing on ways in which art can be used to interpret science and ways in which technology can impact the arts.
Between the 19th and 25 April, events were presented to engage the entire family, such as Earth Day at the Franklin Institute and Science at the Ballpark.
Throughout the Science Festival, a number of activities were planned specifically with students in mind.
Recipients of the 2011 Franklin Medal presented a number of symposia and lectures prior to the ceremony. At the same time, the American Philosophical Society held its annual meeting which was webcast to the public.
Food and drink topics such as "5 Senses Pub Crawl", "The science of beer and cheese" and "Sweet and Savory: Hives and Honey".
Scientific foundations of everyday topics such as "The history, culture and how-to of taxidermy", "How medicine works: a microscopic army" and "Science of Jazz: Waves, scales and beats[18]".
April 30 - The Science Carnival was held on the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing
Preview Events - Science Night at the Ballpark on April 16; Geek's Guide to Philly on April 18
Examples of other events throughout the festival:
April 22 - Astronomy Night
April 23 - Discovery Day - Naturepalooza! Family Earth Day Festival; Family Science Fun Day in the Park
April 24 - Explorer Sunday - Astrogenesis; Medicine 1776;[32] Symmetry, Sequence and Starfish; Doctor for a day; Bugs, Bees and Botany; Fishtown Science Crawl[33]
April 25 - Gaffes on Tap; Cocktail Lab
April 26 - 2066, A Science Odyssey - What will our world look like?;[34] Kitchen Lab: Chocolate; Science at Play for the Young at Heart
April 27 - Science Expo: 1866; Science of Fear; Nerd Nite: What it means to be human
April 28 - LGBTQ in STEM;[35] Kitchen Lab: Tapping the Roots; Gross Anatomy: The Human Microbiome; You're the Expert; Grow a Pint!
April 29 - Science after Hours: PSF Closing Party - The Nerd Olympics
Neighborhood Science events were held throughout the week.
April 29 - The Science Carnival was held at Penn's Landing
Preview Events - Science Night at the Ballpark[38] on April 9; Geek's Guide to Philly on April 11
Examples of other events throughout the festival:
April 21 - Science after Hours: Prom; Dance Engineered
April 22 - Science in the Park was held in the Schuylkill Center, Hunting Park and Clark Park; Tinker Lab; Dance Engineered
April 23 - Be a Scientist[39] - Be a Paleontologist, Be an Ecologist, Be a Doctor, Be an Engineer, Be a Marine Biologist, Be an Environmental Scientist; Fishtown Science Crawl; Murder at the Mutter: Hooked
April 24 - Cocktail Lab: Rum; Science on Tap Un-tapped: Scientific Malarkey[40]
April 25 - Cookie Lab; Fake Out: The Science of Deception; Sensory Overload
April 26 - Science Storytime; Geek Out Game Show
April 27 - Science in the National Park;[41] Life on Mars; Gross Anatomy: Sex
April 28 - Citywide Star Party
Science After School events were held throughout the week[42]
On the 18th of March, the festival was canceled. The following notice was placed on the festival's Facebook page: "In response to the COVID-19 outbreak and following the guidelines set forth by the CDC, the Philadelphia Science Festival (April 16-25, 2020) has been canceled."[59]
