Science & The Arts
Often placed at opposite ends of the spectrum, science and the arts have more in common than you might think. See how art inspires science and how science inspires art at these Atlanta Science Festival events, taking place March 9-23.
WEIRD SCIENCE DOODLE FACTS with Mike Lowery and Little Shop of Stories | March 9th 11:00 AM
Presented by Mike Lowery Studio, Little Shop of Stories, Halfway Crooks
Discover a world of weird science facts with New York Times Bestselling Illustrator & Author Author & Illustrator Mike Lowery! Take a deep dive with Mike into the Everything Awesome book series, his ultimate fact collection with amazing facts, hilarious science jokes, and more. Enjoy a group sketching activity and a book signing, too. Tickets are free with registration; however, Lowery’s Everything Awesome book series will be available for pre-ordering from Little Shop of Stories for the event.
Piece of Mind: Film Screening & Workshop on Dementia Experiences | March 9th 3:30 PM
Presented by Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, National Circus School of Montreal – Centre for Circus Arts Research, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer (CRITAC)
Place yourself in the performer’s shoes in this interactive workshop following the screening of Piece of Mind: Dementia – an artistic performance highlighting scientific research and lived experiences of dementia. Together, Piece of Mind performers and attendees will dissect specific scenes from the film, discussing the creative process and delving into the underlying information, emotions and metaphors through creative movement. This workshop is hosted by Montreal-based circus and dance artists and scientists/clinicians/advocates from local Atlanta institutes.
Guthman Music, Art, and Technology Fair | March 9th 4:00 PM
Presented by Georgia Institute of Technology
Get hands-on experience with the latest experiments in art and technology! Meet the people who are inventing the future of art and music and try out the amazing stuff they’ve created at this hands-on, science-fair-style event.
No registration necessary.
Guthman Musical Instrument Competition | March 9th 7:00 PM
Presented by Georgia Tech School of Music, Georgia Tech Arts
See the world’s most innovative new musical instruments, meet their creators, hear them in concert, and vote on your favorites! The Guthman Musical Instrument Competition at Georgia Tech is a celebration of how science, engineering, art, and design help us imagine new ways to express ourselves through music.
Science of the Circus | March 10th Times Vary
Presented by Extant Dream, Challenge Aerial, and Atlanta Circus Alliance
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!
The Science of Animation | March 10th 12:00 PM
Presented by The Museum of Animation
Have you ever wondered how animation works in your favorite cartoons? Discover the science behind animation and how our minds perceive pictures in motion. In this hands-on workshop you’ll explore how animated images are created and make your own optical toys and animations to take home!
This event repeats on March 17th at 12:00 PM.
Art of Activism: Stewards of the Wild | March 10th 1:00 PM
Presented by Wild Cumberland, 7 Stages Theatre
Settle into your seat at 7 Stages for an immersive experience like you’ve never seen! Inspired by Cumberland Island, artist Dorothy O’Connor, transports you to this national treasure on the Georgia seashore. An experience celebrating empowerment and advocacy in nature, this immersive experience sets the stage for “True North”, a new theatrical experience produced by 7 Stages Theatre. Join scientists, advocates, and artists for a completely different kind of conservation conversation!
SPIDERS IN MY HOUSE! Puppets + Science = MAGIC! | March 10th 1:30 PM
Presented by Center for Puppetry Arts
The Center for Puppetry Arts’ award-winning Digital Learning department invites ASF audiences to join us online on Sunday, March 10th at 1:30pm for a live, interactive, fun-filled program that celebrates the wonderful creatures we call SPIDERS! This program is created for curious learners ages 6-12 but is fun for the WHOLE FAMILY! Part science class, part puppet building workshop, with a little bit of puppet show thrown in, you’ll learn about the attributes, life cycles and behaviors of spiders plus build your own spider marionette!
Science Behind the Scenes: Chemistry of Paint | March 10th 2:00 PM
Presented by Science ATL, Science Gallery
Splash into the science behind the brush strokes! From the vibrant pigments of Monet’s Water Lilies, to the unique textures of Van Gogh’s Starry Night, participants explore the chemistry behind the paint that makes up so many beloved works of art. It’s an art and science mashup that you don’t want to miss!
Performing Data: Neurodegenerative Disease Research and Lived Experience Share the Stage | March 10th 7:00 PM
Presented by Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, McGill University, National Circus School of Montreal – Centre for Circus Arts Research, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer
How can we bring complex issues like Parkinson’s Disease to life through the arts? Co-created by neuroscientists, performing artists, people living with Parkinson’s disease and caregivers, Piece of Mind unites neuroscientific knowledge and lived experiences on the same stage. Through impressive acrobats, absurd theatrics, moving choreographies, and audience participation, the artists seek to shed light on challenges and resilience in face of Parkinson’s disease, address social stigma and misperceptions, and pique curiosity on current research avenues. Following the performance, we’ll have a live panel with the research team, performers, and local experts on Parkinson’s disease.
Science Improv | March 13th 7:30 PM
Presented by Georgia Tech, Whole World Improv Theatre
It’s improv comedy with a science twist! Come see experienced improv actors and professional scientists take the stage together to put on a unique entertainment and educational experience. The audience will provide scientific suggestions to drive the performance, and you’re sure to have a great time and come away having learned something too! Comedy improvisation has never been geekier.
That’s Not Right! Debunking Science in Cinema | March 13th 7:30 PM
Presented by IEEE-Atlanta, Halfway Crooks
Have you ever found yourself watching a movie and thought to yourself, “That’s not right!” Well, you’re not alone. Join IEEE-Atlanta for a fun night of bad science as we highlight our favorite movie inaccuracies. We encourage folks to bring their favorite example of science gone wrong.
Tech: Arts – Exploring Art Using Extended Reality | March 17th 2:00 PM
Presented by The Fulton County Public Art Futures Lab
Explore the intersection of art and technology at the Fulton County Public Art Futures Lab. Put on a virtual reality headset and paint in an immersive environment, or explore the use of augmented reality and art. Learn how technology opens up new avenues to create and experience art! Open to ages 7+.
Stories Worth Sharing | March 19th 8:00 PM
Presented by Stories Worth Sharing, Red Light Cafe
Storytelling is all about sharing our humanity on stage and finding points of connection. Let’s find these connection points through science with our special Science Festival theme: “Experiment”. Come ready to tell a story or just listen! Storytellers, bring your 5 to 7 minute true, personal story on the theme of “experiment” and put your name in the hat! We want to hear your stories! No standup or poetry, please.
No registration necessary.
The “Language” of Birds | March 20th 7:00 PM
Presented by Emory University, Atlanta Contemporary Ensemble, Chattahoochee Nature Center
Many birds produce an incredible variety of complex vocalizations, resulting in intricate songs that have inspired artists for generations. However, are these beautiful birdsongs a language? Come explore some of the analogs between birdsong and human language and learn some of the incredible ways studying birdsong has helped us understand human speech and enjoy a bird song-inspired music recital by the Atlanta Contemporary Ensemble!
Jazz Hands: A Science Comedy Event | March 21st 7:00 PM
Presented by Science for Georgia, Zoo Atlanta
Scientists are funny! And because we’re scientists, we’ve got data to back that statement up!. Back by popular demand, and *in 3D*…come see scientists do comedy at Science Jazz Hands! Learn the answers to all of life’s mysteries, like “how can you make a math pun that bad?” and “how is religion like nuclear physics?”
The Story Collider | March 21st 7:30 PM
Presented by The Story Collider, Science ATL
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.
Bouquet: Neuroscience in Motion | March 21st 8:00 PM
Presented by Rogue Wave Dance, Drew Charter School
Dance and science?! Come check out Rogue Wave Dance as we share our latest work! Neuroscientists classify individuals as dandelions (resilient & able to thrive in a variety of environments), orchids (highly sensitive), or tulips (in between). Bouquet looks at our backgrounds to assess what type of flower we have become. In this, we ask the audience to consider what their own flower might be, and how it feels to be a part of the greater meadow, your community.
