In 2014, more than 175 diverse partners have signed on to join in this year’s Philadelphia Science Festival festivities, proving Philadelphia's love and support of science. (Photo by M. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia)
Ready to get nerdy, Philly? The 2014 Philadelphia Science Festival (PSF) arrives April 25 through May 3, with more than 100 smart events scheduled at venues throughout the city for a nine-day celebration of science and technology.
Organized by the clever people at The Franklin Institute and presented by The Dow Chemical Company, the Philadelphia Science Festival is now in its fourth year and poised to be bigger, better and brainier.
In 2014, more than 175 diverse partners have signed on to join in this year’s festivities — from the Philadelphia Phillies and Yards Brewing Company to Monell Chemical Senses Center and The Wistar Institute and many, many more.
The huge (seriously, enormous) variety of science-focused events incorporate everything from family-friendly educational outings fit for all all the way to boozy after-dark events that prove once and for all that science lessons aren’t just for kids.
Read on for our picks of not-to-miss highlights, visit the festival website for a full calendar of events and ticketing. Of course, check back with us for more as this brainy celebration continues.
Overview
Since Philadelphia’s founding more than 300 years ago, this city has been at the forefront of science and technology; 11 of the 16 routinely recommended vaccines were developed here, as was Plexiglas, the first polio vaccine and the X-ray.
The Philadelphia Science Festival celebrates all of that Philadelphia history, and looks to this city’s extremely bright future, by putting the spotlight on Philadelphia’s role as a hub of scientific innovation and development.
In past years, the festival has seen engagement from more than 120,000 people in the region, and with the awesome assembly of happenings on tap for 2014, there’s no doubt this year’s Science Festival will continue to draw crowds and engage audiences with the wonders of science.
With support from a wide range of partners and The Dow Chemical Company, most fest events are presented completely free of charge. For events that do come with a (usually moderate) admission fee, tickets are conveniently available online.
Top Event Picks
With so many events on the calendar, we wanted to help distill the festival landscape. Here are our top picks for Philadelphia Science Festival events and happenings.
• PSF Kickoff Party: Science After Hours: Kicking off on Friday, April 25, the 2014 Philadelphia Science Festival is set to throw down with an after-hours party at The Franklin Institute. What’s on tap? Oh, just dozens and dozens of activities — think live science shows, music, guessing games, and more — presented by more than a dozen partners, and all crafted just for gorwn-ups. Plus, the kickoff party serves as the launch for the official Science Festival beer, brewed by Yards Brewing Company. C’mon, raise a pint to science!
When: Friday, April 25, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Where: The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th Street
Cost: $15; $10 for members of The Franklin Institute
• Astronomy Night: Grab a blanket and take a tour of the cosmos with local astronomers. More than 25 venues in and around Philadelphia — from universities to community centers, wildlife refuges to cemeteries — will host star parties. At each site, professional and amateur astronomers will bring out their telescopes to show locals the wonders of the night sky. For the full list of locations, check right here.
When: Friday, April 25, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Various locations
Cost: Free
The Philadelphia Science Festival returns April 25 through May 3 for its fourth year of brilliant education-driven events for adults and kids alike, culminating in the grand Science Carnival on the Parkway on Saturday, May 3. (Photos by M. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia)
Many more festival picks, below.
• Discovery Day: Explore science this Saturday, April 26 at any of the Philadelphia Science Festival’s free Discovery Day events. Head out to Hunting Park, The Schuylkill Center, Clark Park or Fox Chase Farm to discover all sorts of science at each location. Each park presents a different lineup, but some activities include hands-on demonstrations, storytelling, hayrides, and live music. For the full list of topics and locations, check right here.
When: Saturday, April 26, times vary by location
Where: Various locations
Cost: Free
• Explorer Sunday: With more than a dozen free events scheduled at 15 locations throughout the city, Explorer Sunday Starting as early as 7 a.m., head out to check out such programs as Life in the Graveyard at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Chicks, Bees and Farm Fun at Wyck Historic House and the Science of Skateboarding at Paine’s Skatepark. For the full list of topics and locations, check right here.
When: Sunday, April 27, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Various locations
Cost: Free
• Mess Fest at Smith Memorial Playground: With activities both indoors and out, Mess Fest brings a day chock full of family-friendly fun — think making slime, exploding watermelons and breaking eggs — to Smith Memorial Playground in Fairmount Park.
When: Sunday, April 27, 1-4 p.m.
Where: Smith Memorial Playground, 3500 Reservoir Drive
Cost: Pay what you wish at the door
• Science Crawl: Brain Games: Head to Old City on Sunday to venture out on food-and-drink-fueled hunt exploring the human brain. With four stops, the walking tour starts at Indy Hall to begin with a primer on the prefrontal cortex, and then hits Continental Old City to learn about the hippocampus over cocktails, National Mechanics to talk about the motor cortex and the cerebellum, and wraps up at Shane Confectionery to test how sweets affect the limbic system.
When: Sunday, April 27, 4 p.m.
Where: Indy Hall, 22 N. 3rd Street
Cost: $35
• Science Night at the Ballpark: Root for the home team while learning about the physics of baseball before and during the game at activity stations located throughout the concourse and outside on Citizens Bank Way during this brainy night at the ballpark.
When: Tuesday, April 29, 7:05 p.m.
Where: Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Way
Cost: Ticket prices vary
• Sleep: A Bedtime Story: All of this festival activity making you tired? Head to The Franklin Institute to learn about the science of sleep. With a plate full of cookies and milk (included with the $10 ticket), hear from a panel of experts about brain activity in dreamland.
When: Wednesday, April 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th Street
Cost: $10
• Beer Chemistry: What makes a porter a porter? And why do oysters taste so good with stout? Discover the answers during a night of sensory experiences at Yards. Interact with the brewers as they explain the science of the brewing process and the chemistry behind some of their favorite brews. In the tasting room, explore — and consume! — some great beer and food pairings and find out from taste experts the chemistry that makes them go together.
When: Friday, May 2, 7-10 p.m.
Where: Yards Brewing Company, 901 N. Delaware Avenue
Cost: $40
• Science Carnival on the Parkway: A free alfresco street fair will take over the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for an afternoon of family-friendly interactive activities, live performances and demonstrations. Check out more than 150 exhibitors offering non-stop free, family-friendly experiments, interactive activities, games and the opportunity to meet scientists, engineers, and mathematicians all day long.
When: Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: 20th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Cost: Free
For more on the Philadelphia Science Festival and a full calendar of events, check right here.
Philadelphia Science Festival 2014
When: Festival, April 25-May 3; Carnival, May 3
Where: Locations throughout Philadelphia
Cost: Varies, mostly free
More info: www.philasciencefestival.org
The Philadelphia Science Festival proves fun with science isn't just for kids at beer-fueled events at locations like Yards Brewing Company. (Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia)