Atlanta Science Festival (ASF), presented by Delta Air Lines, the city’s ultimate celebration of all things science and one of the largest of its kind in the country, returns March 9-23. Curious kids and adults can explore more than 150 interactive and educational events, providing an opportunity to learn from experts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
“The Atlanta Science Festival aims to bring the community together through their shared love for science,” says Meisa Salaita, co-founder and co-executive director of Science ATL, the
engineers of Atlanta Science Festival. “Through these events, we hope to inspire and empower the next generation to pursue their dreams.”
Atlanta Science Festival events include coding, astronomy, nature walks, science/art mashups, and much more. These happenings provide an opportunity to explore science and experience
its wonder first hand. Many events are free, while some require a nominal fee.
The following is a list of event highlights:
Georgia Tech Science & Engineering Day
Kickoff the 2024 Atlanta Science Festival with Georgia Tech! Whether you're interested in robotics, brains, biology, space, art, nanotechnology, paper, computer science, wearables,
bioengineering, chemical engineering, or systems engineering, there will be activities for you.
Visit campus for hands-on STEAM activities, exhibits, demonstrations, opportunities to meet
student researchers, learn about the research, and so much more happening at Tech.
Time/Date: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, March 9
Cost: Free with advance registration.
Location: Georgia Tech Campus, North Ave. NW, Atlanta
Tiny Monsters of Sibley Pond
Join the National Park Service staff for a tiny monster hunt! Discover the extraordinary
biodiversity of strange, weird, and amazing creatures that live in Sibley Pond. Search through
leaf litter, dig through detritus, collect critters and more! This is a hands-on, get-your-fingers-dirty
field investigation. What tiny monsters will you find lurking in Sibley Pond?
Time/Date: 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 9; 1-3 p.m. Sunday, March 10
Cost: Free
Location: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: Sope Creek, Unit 3760, Paper Mill
Road, Marietta.
Science of the Circus
Ladies and Gentlemen! Step right up and be amazed by the Science of the Circus! Discover the
ways circus performers use science to make their amazing acts come to life. Performers
demonstrate their skills while scientific presenters explain the science behind the acts. You'll
even get a chance to experience the sciencey circus fun for yourself!
Time/Date: 2-3:30 p.m., 4:30-6 p.m. Sunday, March 10
Cost: $5
Location: Challenge Aerial, 464 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta
Nature’s Pharmacy with Emory University Herbarium
Join leading medical ethnobotanist and explorer, Dr. Cassandra Quave, as she shares the story of her quest to develop new ways to fight illness and disease through the healing powers of
plants. Blend your own tea and create a DIY herbarium keepsake to take home!
Time/Date: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12
Cost: $12
Location: Carter Presidential Library & Museum, 441 Freedom Parkway NE, Atlanta.
AfroSTEM
The West Atlanta Watershed Alliance presents Afro-STEM, a celebration of science through an Afrocentric lens! Much of our modern world, including technology, medicine, art, and even space
exploration, has been shaped by Black and African thinkers and cultures. Join our “fair-style” event as we recognize and explore those contributions. Participate in hands-on STE(A)M activities, interactive presentations, and engaging demonstrations inspired by Black and African scientists, inventors, artists, cultures, and history.
Time/Date: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 16
Cost: Free with advance registration.
Location: Outdoor Activity Center, 1442 Richland Road SW, Atlanta.
Life in the Stream: A Journey into Salamander Biology
Slither into the world of salamanders at a local stream in Cascade Springs! Discover the secrets of their fascinating life cycles, from tiny eggs to elusive adults, through engaging hands-on
activities and expert-led field excursions. During this interactive event, you'll become a salamander scientist by identifying various salamander species and locating salamander eggs, larvae, and adults. Join us on a journey into the hidden lives of these extraordinary amphibians!
Time/Date: 3-5 p.m. Sunday, March 17
Cost: Free with advance registration.
Location: Cascade Springs Nature Preserve, 2852 Cascade Road SW, Atlanta.
Cemeteries Rock! A Geology Walk at Oakland Cemetery
Cemeteries are more than just resting places for the dead. They are excellent places to study local geology! Join us for a special walking tour of Oakland Cemetery where we explore Georgia
Geology by studying the unique headstones throughout the grounds.
Time/Date: 11 a.m.-12:30 pm. Saturday, March 9; 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 21
Cost: Free with advance registration.
Location: Oakland Cemetery, 248 Oakland Ave. SE, Atlanta.
The Story Collider
Join the Story Collider for an evening of true, personal stories about science! At this live show, you'll hear scientists and non-scientists tell heartwarming (and heartbreaking) science stories
about their failures, successes, and everything in between. Doors open at 7:00pm.
Time/Date: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, March 21
Cost: $15, $10 for students and artists.
Location: Waller's Coffee Shop, 240 Dekalb Industrial Way, Decatur.
Exploration Expo
Atlanta’s biggest interactive science event is FREE and open to adults, families, and children of all ages and interests. No registration is necessary. Touch a human brain! Smell outer space!
3-D print your own bones! Look inside a jet engine! Pen your own science haiku! Control a robot with your brain! Test your brain with laser beams! Paint like an elephant! Meet frogs, lizards,
snakes... and scientists!
Time/Date: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March 23
Cost: Free
Location: Piedmont Park, 1071 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta
“This year’s events include a variety of hands-on activities and interactive shows that illustrate how connected science is to all aspects of our lives,” Salaita says. “We are thrilled to see people
of all ages enjoy the wonders of science.” A complete calendar of events is available at: AtlantaScienceFestival.org/events.
