April 27, 2012
Hubo, one of seven in a family of humanoid robots residing at Drexel, was modified by Drexel Engineering students over the last two months, receiving new programming code and a custom-build pitching arm, specially for the Science Festival. (Photo by Darryl W. Moran for the Philadelphia Science Festival)
Last year’s Science Festival featured a Science Day at the Ballpark event showcasing the physics of baseball during which a robot from the University of Pennsylvania’s General Robotics, Automation, Sensing and Perception (GRASP) Lab threw out the game’s first pitch at Citizens Bank Park.
This year the festival is bringing back the event but in an even more exciting way: it’sScience Night at the Ballpark tomorrow, April 28, and this year a humanoid robot named Hubo modified specially for the Science Fest will throw out the first ball prior to the 7:05 Phillies vs. Cubs game.
Hubo, one of seven in a “family” of humanoid robots residing at Drexel, was modified by Drexel Engineering students over the last two months, receiving new programming code and a custom-build pitching arm. And an awesome Phillies hat. So clutch.
The four-foot-tall Hubo is full actuated, which means that he has similar joints and movement capabilities to that of a human, including arms, legs and hands with fully functional fingers and an opposable thumb.
The name is a clever reference to Hugo, the famous automaton recently brought to the forefront of popular culture thanks to the bestselling children’s novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret and the Oscar nominated film Hugo. The Franklin Institute, a partner in the Science Festival, is home to one of these amazing “boy machines” so you can see one for yourself!
Check out another photo of Hubo, below.
Science Night at the Ballpark
When: Saturday, April 28
Where: Citizens Bank Park, Citizens Bank Way and Pattison Avenue
Cost: Tickets are sold out; try (215) 463-5000 ext. 5111 for last-minute cancellations
More info: www.philasciencefestival.org
April 25, 2012
See Philadelphia in a whole new light, at 20+ venues around the city as part of the Philadelphia Science Festival's Astronomy Night. (Top and bottom left photos by J. Fusco for GPTMC, bottom right by Darryl Moran courtesy Franklin Institute)
This Friday, April 27 more than 20 venues in and around Philadelphia will be hosting special stargazing sessions as part of the Philadelphia Science Festival’s second annual Astronomy Night.
Professional and amateur astronomers will be on hand at each of the locations to help show visitors what’s visible in the Philadelphia night sky at this time of year.
While many of the locations are a bit outside the city, which may allow for maximum star viewing, several are located right in the heart of Philadelphia, including Drexel University, Franklin Square, the Franklin Institute and the University of Pennsylvania.
If you’re looking to eliminate some of the background light from city buildings, then you might want to try West Chester University, Swarthmore College or Awbury Arboretum.
Some of the locations will also be offering additional special programming. The Franklin Institute will be hosting a discussion and movie screening with NASA Senior Astrophysicist John Mather starting at 7 p.m., and the Riverbend Environmental Education Center in Gladwyne will be guiding night hikes and overseeing campfires.
The weather should be dry and the sky clear, so pack up a blanket and some hot chocolate and explore one of the many awesome venues taking part in this year’s festivities.
Philadelphia Science Festival Astronomy Night
When: Friday, April 27, starting at 8 p.m.
Where: Various locations in and around Philadelphia
Cost: Free
More info: www.philasciencefestival.org
April 24, 2012
Explore Philadelphia through a scientific lens at this Saturday's Philadelphia Science Festival Scavenger Hunt. (Photo by J. Fusco for GPTMC)
The Philadelphia Science Festival is up and running, with events and activities citywide engaging Philadelphians in science and technology.
One of the coolest events on the docket is the Science Scavenger Hunt this Saturday, April 28.
Discover Philadelphia’s rich science history using an i-Phone app and QR code reader to trek the city streets. Find clues and learn about some of the amazing scientific discoveries that have been made in Philadelphia from colonial times to today.
Visit museums and historic landmarks while racing for prizes and solving riddles along the way.
Registration is free but required; click here. Let the games begin.
Philadelphia Science Festival Scavenger Hunt
When: Saturday, April 28, 2-6 p.m.
Where: Find out by registering
Cost: Free
More info: www.philasciencefestival.org
April 19, 2012
The two festivals will take over Logan Circle with hundreds of exhibitors, three stages of live entertainment, food and so much more. (Left photos courtesy Science Festival, right photos courtesy Book Festival)
Two giant festivals collide this Saturday to take over the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for a street fair and carnival unlike any other.
The Philadelphia Book Festival Street Fair and Philadelphia Science Festival Carnival are back with a packed line-up of live entertainment on three stages, science experiments, games, food and more. Check out our handy guide to the festivities, below.
Food and Drink
Come hungry: stationed right outside the Free Library’s Central Branch on Vine Street will be Krispy Kreme, Lucky Old Souls, Pitruco Pizza, Zsa’s Gourmet Ice Cream and Yumtown USA.
Plus, the Science Festival is packing plenty of eats, with the following food trucks: Chewy’s, Hub Bub Coffee Truck, Lil Dan’s, Say Cheese, Sugar Philly and Sweet Box. And inside the Franklin Institute, there will be a Kitchen Science area in Franklin Hall with Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream, Cupcake Chemistry and more.
Sister Cities Park
Be one of the very first to take a tour of the brand new Sister Cities Park at Logan Square, transformed into a richly planted, well-illuminated and overall welcoming civic space for people of all ages. The renovations include a new café, an active, educational play garden for kids and a boat pond.
The park doesn’t officially open until May 10, but during the carnival the Center City District will be leading tours through the space and the Science Festival will be hosting Science Cafes at the park from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Philadelphia Book Festival Programming
• Montgomery Auditorium: Head inside the library for an afternoon of lively talks from celebrated authors, like bestselling science writer Dava Sobel on revolutionary astronomer Copernicus; a discussion of whale science, history and policy with D. Graham Burnett; and a talk with Jonathan Haidt, award-winning psychologist and bestselling author of The Righteous Mind.
• Booksellers: Books (tons and tons of them) are clearly the focus here, from national independent sellers to neighborhood shops to individual authors to major publishing houses. Pick up new and used books, chat with agents/editors/publishers/writers and more.
• Storybook Character Parade: At noon, this year’s Storybook Parade will feature fan favorites Madeline, Toot and Puddle, the Berenstain Bear Kids, Ladybug Girl, Curious George and Peter Rabbit. Bring your camera; posing for photos is encouraged.
And tons more! Click here for a full program.
Philadelphia Science Festival Programming
• Cupcake Chemistry: The Chemical Heritage Foundation will deconstruct everyone’s favorite dessert to show the chemistry that fosters a perfectly made cake.
• Discover DNA!: With the help of Penn scientists, learn all about this fascinating molecule while you have fun isolating your own human genomic DNA.
• Film Canister Rockets: Construct a rocket powered by the pressure generated from a mixture of baking powder and water to demonstrate Newton’s Laws of Motion.
• Making Slime: The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia will help participants become synthetic chemists by mixing materials to make their very own colorful and icky slime. It’s a gak attack!
• Periodic Table Twister: Twist and turn while trying to place hands and feet on the correct element using a giant Periodic Table Twister Game Board to win prizes.
• The Art of Beekeeping: Watch live bees at work in a glass observation hive, while members of the Beekeepers Guild demonstrate how to tend the hive using specialized techniques.
An hourly entertainment schedule for the three stages — Pennypacker, Kids Corner Stage, TFI Musser Theater (indoors) — is available here.
There’s a full list of all the booths online.
Check out a detailed map of the festival, below.
Philadelphia Book Festival Street Fair and Philadelphia Science Festival Carnival
When: Saturday, April 21, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Cost: Free!
More info: libwww.freelibrary.org; www.philasciencefestival.org
April 18, 2012
During the Philadelphia Science Festival, explore the fascinating chemistry behind wine, cheese, beer, baking and much more.
(Photos by J. Fusco for GPTMC)
The Philadelphia Science Festival returns for a second year, running April 20-29 with more than 105 participating institutions and more than 100 events at locations all around the city.
A portion of the programming will center around the science of food and drink, enabling you to explore the magic of your taste buds.
Check out what’s on the schedule:
• Mix It! Science Fest Opening Night Party: Friday, April 20, 7-10 p.m., Frankford Hall, $5. Celebrate the official kick-off of the Science Fest with the Opening Night Party this Friday, April 20, which includes the tapping of the exclusive Science Festival Beer by Yards Brewery, and delicious Weizenbock and German fare courtesy of the Fishtown beer hall.
• Grow it, Cook it, Eat it: Sunday, April 22, noon, Bartram’s Garden, $10. Have you ever tried to grow your own mushrooms or spinach? Join agricultural experts and culinary students as you experience a variety of demonstrations and activities throughout Bartram’s Garden. Discover the science behind raising meats and learn how to grow veggies — or how to choose and enjoy the wares at the farmers markets popping up all over the city.
• Science of Nutrition — The Gluten and Dairy Free Fad: Monday, April 23, 8 p.m., Pure Fare, $10. Allergies and intolerance to gluten and dairy are becoming increasingly common — but are they health risks or a diet fad? Enjoy gluten- and dairy-free desserts while learning about these common food allergies and sensitivities.
• Extraction: Food and Flavor: Tuesday, April 24, 6 p.m., World Café Live, $25. The chem lab meets the kitchen as local chef Shola Olunloyo demonstrates his passion for creating incredible food through the use of modern technology. Watch as he bakes bread without yeast in seven minutes and ages whiskey in less than three. Explore how we perceive taste and the role that memory plays in our feelings about food all while experiencing some of Chef’s tasty demos.
Read on, below.
April 17, 2012
The 2nd Annual Philadelphia Science Festival, bigger and better than last year’s, kicks off Friday night at Frankford Hall with cold beer, science-themed games and delicious fare. (Photo courtesy Frankford Hall)
It’s that time again to channel your inner scientist!
Celebrate the official kick-off of the Second Annual Philadelphia Science Festival with the Mix It! Science Fest Opening Night Party this Friday, April 20 from 7-10 p.m.
Cocktails and technology collide during this special occasion event hosted at Frankford Hall, which includes the tapping of the exclusive Science Festival Beer by Yards Brewery, and create-your-own music and gadget building activities with NextFab.
Other event collaborators include Hudson Beach Glass, the Spatial Intelligence Learning Center at Temple University and 8static (prepare your eardrums to be wowed).
Sit back, enjoy a cold brew, enjoy some awesome live music, participate in cool tech-themed activities and celebrate the first night of this 10-day festival in the spacious outdoor patio of Stephen Starr’s famous Fishtown beer garden. Tickets are $5, on sale here.
For more details on the fest, see our previous coverage.
Mix It! Science Fest Opening Night Party
When: Friday, April 20, 7-10 p.m.
Where: Frankford Hall, 1210 Frankford Avenue
Cost: $5
More info: www.philasciencefestival.org
April 12, 2012
The Science Film Fest will screen a dozen science- and technology-themed movies at the Franklin Institute, Trocadero and International House. (Photo courtesy International House)
The 2nd Annual Philadelphia Science Festival is bigger and better than last year’s, which was in and of itself a huge success.
One of the most exciting programs is a first-ever partnership with Awesome Fest to present the Science Festival Film Fest.
The festival, April 21-29, will offer more than a dozen science- and technology-themed movies, including many East Coast premieres and award-winners from other festivals such as SXSW, plus related lectures and programs.
Films will be screened at the Franklin Institute’s IMAX theater, the Trocadero and International House in University City.
Tickets, $10, are available on the Science Festival website.
Science Festival Film Fest
When: April 21-29
Where: The Franklin Institute, IMAX, 222 N. 20th Street; Trocadero, 1003 Arch Street; International House, 3701 Chestnut Street
Cost: $10
More info: www.philasciencefestival.org
April 5, 2012
You've never experienced a street fair like this one; the two festivals team up to present five hours of live entertainment on two stages, 100+ exhibitors, food and more. (Top and bottom left photos courtesy Philadelphia Book Festival, bottom right courtesy Philadelphia Science Festival)
Spring is festival heyday, and here’s a big one to take note of: on Saturday, April 21, the Philadelphia Book Festival and Philadelphia Science Festival are once again teaming up to present a giant carnival out on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
The event features more than 100 exhibitors offering non-stop science experiments, interactive activities, games and the opportunity to meet scientists, engineers, mathematicians and famous authors all day long.
There will be a packed line-up of live entertainment on not one, but two, outdoor stages this year. Which is in addition to all the goings-on indoors at the Franklin Institute, Academy of Natural Sciences and the Free Library.
You’ll be able to taste liquid nitrogen ice cream and explore how cheese is made in the Franklin Institute’s Franklin Hall; enjoy an afternoon of lively talks from celebrated authors in the library’s Montgomery Auditorium; participate in hands-on Earth Day activities at the Academy of Natural Sciences and so much more.
We’ll have a more detailed festival guide as we approach the date; but be sure to mark your calendars for one of the season’s most anticipated events.
Philadelphia Book Festival Street Fair and Philadelphia Science Festival Carnival
When: Saturday, April 21, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Cost: Free
More info: libwww.freelibrary.org; www.philasciencefestival.org
March 22, 2012
Yesterday we announced that the 2012 Philadelphia Science Festival arrives April 20-29, with more than 105 participating institutions (up from 55 last year) and 100+ events including Science Night with the Phillies, a giant carnival on the Parkway, beer and food events and much more. This year every event requires a ticket (even if it’s free), and they’re now on sale. Through March 31, enter “VISITPHILLY” at checkout and save $2 on each ticket purchased. Click here for a complete calendar of events. [Philadelphia Science Festival]
March 21, 2012
The Second Annual Philadelphia Science Festival returns in April with 10 days of interactive, hands-on events that explore the science of everyday life. (Photos by J. Fusco for GPTMC)
Back by (extremely) popular demand is the Philadelphia Science Festival, running April 20-29 with more than 105 participating institutions (up from 55 last year).
Organized by the Franklin Institute, the 10-day festival includes more than 100 events at locations around the city, motivated by the idea of honoring Philadelphia’s scientific legacy and proving the theory that science is fun.
Since the city’s founding more than 300 years ago, Philadelphia 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 Second Annual Philadelphia Science Festival will highlight all of that and more. A sampling of the events and activities to be featured (check out a full calendar online):
• Mix It! Opening Night Party at Frankford Hall: April 20, 7 p.m. Cocktails, games, music and technology collide at the tapping of the exclusive Science Festival Beer by Yards Brewery. Enjoy a cold Weizenbock while creating music and building gadgets with NextFab, all at Stephen Starr’s Frankford Hall beer garden.
• Science Carnival on the Parkway: April 21, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Head to the Parkway to check out more than 100 exhibitors offering non-stop free, family-friendly experiments, interactive activities, games and the opportunity to meet scientists, engineers, and mathematicians all day long. There will be a packed line-up of live science-themed entertainment on TWO stages this year.
• Science Film Festival: Opens April 21, 7:30 p.m. at the Franklin Institute. New this year, the fest will integrate a Science Film Festival with nearly a dozen science- and technology-themed movies, including many East Coast premieres and award-winners from other festivals such as SXSW.
• Science of Death: What Lies Within Mütter and Beneath Laurel Hill: April 26, 6:30 p.m. Learn about the rise of embalming during and after the Civil War and the chemicals and equipment used. Check out some of the Mütter Museum’s great artifacts, then take a twilight journey through the cemetery, visiting the graves of residents with unforgettable stories.
More events below. (more…)
