Environmental Science Events
Learn about geocaching and how to identify the lush trees around Atlanta through our offering of Environmental Science themed events. Start planning your Atlanta Science Festival experience with these events, taking place March 12-26.
Discovery Walks: Cascade Springs Nature Preserve | March 13th 1:00 PM
Presented by Science ATL
Science is all around us, often hidden in everyday places – where we live, where we play, and where we walk. On this docent-guided Discovery Walk through Cascade Springs Nature Preserve, you will uncover some of this secret science on a family-friendly 2.5 mile route with ten intriguing science stops. Join us for this guided walk, or pick up the free Discovery Walk map from our Docent and take off on your own for a science adventure.
Docent led tours are sold out, but you may still pick up a map and do the walk on your own. Learn more here.
Rock ‘n Walk | March 12th 10:00 AM
Presented by GSU Geosciences
Millions of years ago, a massive magma chamber cooled below ground near Atlanta, never erupting through to the surface. Now, we call it Stone Mountain. Join GSU Geosciences on a hike to explore this unique granite dome. You’ll also be able to ‘walk’ a Giant Traveling Map of Georgia, explore rock and mineral specimens, ‘track’ dinosaurs, and identify fossils like a paleontologist!
Tickets are free with admission. Register here.
Playing Mother Nature: Modeling Extreme Earth Phenomena at Your Fingertips | March 12th 2:00 PM
Presented by School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences – Georgia Institute of Technology
Did you ever wish you could play the role of “Mother Nature” and alter the Earth system? The School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Georgia Tech is excited to host “Playing Mother Nature: Modeling Extreme Earth Phenomena at Your Fingertips!” We invite Earth science enthusiasts (young and old) to join us to explode a volcano, create weather and earthquakes, alter the Earth’s land and explore rocks and minerals.
Free admission. Learn more here.
Geocaching Adventure | March 13th 7:00 AM (multiple dates)
Presented by DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs
Hidden treasure boxes in the woods? Sign me up! Geocaching is a treasure-hunting game in which participants use GPS technology to find containers called “caches” at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world. Mason Mill Park has more than 10 geocaches and you are invited to explore the park, learn to use latitude & longitude, and find hidden caches containing science facts about the park. The park is open during daylight hours and the caches will be available for finding from March 13 – March 25.
Free admission. Learn more here.
Geocaching 101 | March 13th 1:00 PM
Presented by DeKalb County Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Affairs
Hidden treasure boxes in the woods? Sign me up! Geocaching is a treasure-hunting game in which participants use GPS technology to find containers called “caches” at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world. Join us for this session to learn all about how geocaching works and then set out to find more than 10 geocaches at Mason Mill Park. Along the way, you are invited to explore the park, learn to use latitude & longitude, and find hidden caches containing science facts about the park.
This event is sold out. Learn more here.
Proctor Creek STEAM Scavenger Hunt & Hike | March 13th 1:00 PM
Presented by Groundwork Atlanta
Come with us and explore this super cool in-town creek! We’ll be taking a 2 mile hike along the Proctor Creek Greenway and spicing our journey up with some science and scavenging! We’ll have scavenger hunt clues all along this tour of one of Atlanta’s hidden gems.
This event is sold out. Learn more here.
Botanical Mysteries | March 17th 9:00 AM (multiple dates)
Presented by Atlanta Botanical Garden
Use your super sleuth skills to solve botanical mysteries at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. For this self-led adventure, families pick up a guide in the Visitor Center before embarking on their botanical voyage through the beautiful spring garden. The journey will include 5 stops where families become plant scientists to uncover clues. Suggested ages: 6 – 10. Free with admission. The guide for this activity will be available from March 17 – March 20.
Free with Garden admission fee. Get tickets here.
Fernbank Forest Wildflower Walk | March 17th 2:00 PM (multiple dates)
Presented by Fernbank Museum
Join us for a small group walk to celebrate the beginning of spring in Fernbank Forest. You’ll learn about the different kinds of native wildflowers found both in the forest and around Atlanta. This event repeats on March 19.
Free with Museum admission (but requires pre-registration). Get Museum tickets and register here.
Hack the Earth: People Focused, Earth Centered | March 18th 5:00 PM
Presented by Emory University and Saikawa Lab
How can YOU solve the environmental health problems in Atlanta? Air quality and lead exposure are both issues causing health problems in the city. With your ideas for innovative public policy or product solutions, we can start addressing these problems. On Friday evening, attend the virtual kick-off info session to be briefed on the issues by experienced Emory students. Attend virtual office hours with Emory students throughout the weekend to talk through questions. And finally, join our virtual showcase on Sunday evening to present your solution. You could win money and one-on-one time with Emory students and professors to talk about your proposed solution! Participate in Hack the Earth: People Focused, Earth Centered to solve critical issues in the Atlanta community!
Free with advance registration. Register here.
Georgia Pollinator Field Day | March 19th 9:00 AM
Presented by Georgia Public Broadcasting, UGA Extension, Georgia Conservation Districts, City of College Park, Monarchs Across Georgia
Pollinators are responsible for assisting over 80% of the world’s flowering plants. They ensure full harvests and seed production for agricultural products, and provide for healthy plants in our own backyards, community gardens and other urban areas. Join us for fun, family-friendly hands-on activities and field games as we learn about Georgia’s primary pollinators. Not just bees, but wasps, birds, butterflies, moths, slugs, snails and more! You’ll learn more about all these fascinating creatures and what you can do to support their survival!
Free with advance registration. Register here.
Discovery Walks: Piedmont Park & Beltline | March 19th 10:00 AM (multiple dates)
Presented by Science ATL
Science is all around us, often hidden in everyday places – where we live, where we play, and where we walk. On this self-guided Discovery Walk down the Beltline and into Piedmont Park, you will uncover some of this secret science on a family-friendly 4 mile route with ten intriguing science stops. Pick up a free Discovery Walk map and take your family on a COVID-friendly science adventure through this city trail.
Free admission. Learn more here.
Family Workshop: All About Monarchs | March 19th 10:00 AM
Presented by Trees Atlanta and University of Georgia Odum School of Ecology
Monarch populations are declining and they need us to help. We will discover the incredible life cycle of the monarch butterfly including the annual journey they make to Mexico. Learn what plants are helpful to have in your neighborhood as well as become part of the community science initiative to track their populations.
This event is sold out. Learn more here.
ID The Trees! | March 19th 10:00 AM
Presented by DeKalb County Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Affairs
If Atlanta is really “The City in the Forest” shouldn’t we know what kind of trees surround us? Join DeKalb County’s Ranger Jonah for a walk all about trees. Learn techniques for identifying trees by their bark, leaves, flowers, and fruit. From the common water oak to the rare winged elm, come fall in love with trees at Mason Mill Park!
This event is sold out. Learn more here.
Taking Out the Trash | March 19th 10:00 AM
Presented by Groundwork Atlanta, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, and Chattahoochee Riverkeeper
Explore the efforts underway in the Proctor Creek watershed to reduce the volume of trash entering the creek and help partners develop solutions to this problem. This interactive workshop will include a brief tour of a trash trap on the creek, an overview of the trash tracking data process, and hands-on activities for you to explore and share your solutions to reduce trash across the community and keep it out of the creek.
Free with advanced registration. Register here.
Splash into Stream Science | March 19th 12:00 PM
Presented by GSU Geosciences, Fulton County Public Works, Project WET, Adopt-a-Stream
Examine the world of water by catching and studying bugs that reveal the health of a local stream in southwestern Atlanta. Test water quality and learn how changing environmental conditions can affect the livelihood of habitats and how that relates to human activities. Join in games and engage in laboratory and field science at different stations next to the creek, or jump in and “get your feet wet” to participate in data collection in the water!
Advance registration requested, but not required! Register here.
Carol on Cumberland: A Natural History | March 19th 1:00 PM (multiple dates)
Presented by Wild Cumberland
Hear directly from scientist and author Carol Ruckdeschel about the historical challenges Cumberland Island and its Wilderness has faced, its current challenges, and the public’s role in protecting it.
Free with advance registration. Register here.
Gardening for Pollinators and Community Science in Georgia | March 19th 1:00 PM
Presented by Georgia Public Broadcasting, UGA Extension, Georgia Conservation Districts, City of College Park, Monarchs Across Georgia
Pollinators ensure full harvests and seed production for agricultural products, and provide for healthy plants in our own backyards, community gardens and other urban areas. Join us for an afternoon of presentations and demonstrations to learn about why we need pollinators for the food we like to eat, how to plant for pollinators in small spaces using the UGA Botanical Gardens Pollinator Plants of the Year, gardening for monarchs and monarch migration, and the Great Georgia Pollinator Census.
Free with advance registration. Register here.
WAWA’s O-STEAM FEST | March 23rd 9:00 AM
Presented by WAWA
Come explore Science amongst familiar, yet new terrains. Join the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance and some of our partners for our outdoor and trail-tastic fair – passport style. Hike, explore, make forts, explore old and new habitats, enjoy nature, and visit table science activities to get your passport stamped. Take a hike at our 26-acre urban nature preserve and Bush Mountain, learn about forest biodiversity, plant/animal/insect identification, soil, art and crafts, and music of the outdoors.
Free with advance registration. Register here.
Impacts of Global Warming on Monarch Butterfly Populations | March 24th 7:00 PM
Presented by Trees Atlanta and University of Georgia Odum School of Ecology
The climate is changing rapidly and that is impacting wildlife just as much as it’s impacting people. Come learn about the research being done by Isabella Ragonese, PhD candidate at Odum School of Ecology at UGA, that is tracking the role of climate change on declining monarch butterfly populations as it relates to parasite infection rates. Find out how you can get engaged in community science as a way of aiding in monarch butterfly conservation.
Free admission. Learn more here.
