Science & Art
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 7-21.
Amped Up: The Physics of Rock & Roll | March 7 10:00am
Presented by: School of Rock – Woodstock
Ride the soundwave and join us for an electrifying event where physics meets rock & roll! We will kick off with a fast crash course on the physics of sound: think waves, amps, feedback and all the science behind the noise. Next, it’s time to plug in for an extra fun jam session, ending with a performance that transforms theory into SHOW!
Learn more here
Firebird | March 7 5:00pm
Presented by: Atlanta Contemporary Ensemble, Emily Bragg
Science and music of fire! Join us as we present on fire ecology and the Georgia species that rely on proscribed burns, followed by a performance of selections from Stravinsky’s “Firebird” for piano and violin. Audience members who can successfully name the most pyrophytes (species adapted to fire) at the end of the show win a singing quail plushie!
Learn more here
Painting Pollinators | March 8 1:00pm
Presented by: Museum of Design Atlanta
Buzz on over to Sunday Funday and celebrate our native pollinators! Join Painting Pollinators to create a vibrant, collaborative artwork that honors bees, butterflies, and the plants that keep them thriving. Fun for all ages, come make your mark on nature!
Learn more here
The Future of Entertainment | March 10, Times Vary
Presented by: Soapbox
Come visit a facility typically only open to celebrities such as T-Pain, Shaq or Teddy Swims. Soapbox Studio is a production facility of the future, utilizing 3D film technology and high-level music production gear to create 3D experiences beyond anything you’ve ever seen. This is a one time opportunity to meet the team pushing the boundaries of what we mean by entertainment. Catch a glimpse of what will be mainstream 5 years from now.
Learn more here
Lattes and Lipids: How Milk Chemistry Affects Latte Art | March 11 and 18 10:00am
Presented by: Opo Coffee
Dive into the delicious science behind your morning latte! Discover how milk’s fats and proteins shape the silky foam that makes latte art possible. Watch a live demonstration by professional baristas, then try your hand at creating your own design using freshly steamed milk. Explore the chemistry of milk structure and microfoam—all while sipping and experimenting like a true coffee scientist.
Learn more here
Queen Bess, performed in French and English (with supertitles) | March 11-20, Times Vary
Presented by: Théâtre du Rêve (Theater of the Dream)
“Queen Bess” tells the story of Bessie Coleman, who earned her pilot’s license (the first ever earned by a Black woman or a Native American, and the first international license earned by any American) in 1921 by teaching herself French and then traveling to France to study. She went on to become a famous stunt pilot back in America, setting records and breaking trends until her death in 1926.
More than 100 years later, her resourcefulness and accomplishments tell a story that continues to challenge and inspire.
Please note that this performance is in both French and English. French scenes have English captions. There are also several repetitions of this performance, please check the schedule for additional sessions.
Learn more here
Pigments, Pollinators, and Plant Potions! | March 13 11:00am
Presented by: Georgia State University – Newton, Jewels Morgans
Step into the colorful, fragrant world of plants! Discover how sunlight fuels life through photosynthesis, how flowers use scent to invite pollinators, and create your very own artwork using natural plant pigments. You’ll even take home a little vial of hydrosol you helped make, a fragrant reminder of your journey into plant chemistry.
Through friendly, hands-on activities, small-group explorations, and playful demonstrations, you’ll:
• Watch steam distillation in action and learn how essential oils and hydrosols are made
• Paint with plant pigments inspired by nature’s palette
• Take home your artwork and fragrant hydrosol to enjoy at home
Perfect for curious minds of all ages (3+), this session blends science, art, and nature in a fun, unforgettable experience. Come explore, create, and connect with the magic of plants!
Learn more here
Nature Journaling for a Lifetime | March 14, 10:15am
Presented by: Reynolds Nature Preserve, Clayton State Univeristy
Do you want to learn how to create and use a nature journal to improve your journaling skills? Come join us at Reynolds Nature Preserve for this all-ages event, where you’ll get to make a simple nature journal and use it during an all-ages nature hike. Identify and draw plants, animals, and fungi. Stay afterwards and challenge yourself with the introductory botanical illustration workshop, taking place from 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m., or enjoy a kid-friendly hike in the woods. Join us at this event where science and art collide!
Learn more here
Music for the Mind | March 14 10:30am
Presented by: School of Rock – West Cobb
Calling all those about to Rock! Join us while we explore the healing powers of ROCK & ROLL! Start with a short lecture on how music can improve mental health, focus, confidence, self-esteem, and mood, among other benefits. Next, jump to a fun packed jam session where you can play real instruments. Finally, star in a rocking performance with YOUR BAND!
Learn more here
Resonant Ecologies: Mold, Lichen, and the Sound of Growth | March 14 11:00am
Presented by: Fulton County Public Art Futures Lab, Georgia Tech – Digital Media, Fulton County Arts & Culture
We invite visitors to step into a living soundscape created by artist-researchers Allie Teixeira Riggs and Heidi Biggs, where art, science, and technology intersect. Drawing from their research into biological systems like mold and lichen, the artists translate patterns of growth and environmental data into immersive sound and visual experiences. Stop by anytime for this drop in event to explore video, interactive sound experiments, and informal conversations with the artists about how biology, data, and design can reveal- and reimagine- the invisible processes shaping the world around us.
Learn more here
Botanical Illustration 101 | March 14 11:30am
Presented by: Reynolds Nature Preserve, Clayton State University
Interested in learning how to perfectly draw the veins of leaves? Or maybe you love orchids and want to learn how to capture their vibrant hues? Join us at Reynolds Nature Preserve for an introductory botanical illustration workshop where you’ll learn about plant morphology and what to focus on when drawing plants! Experience the event where science and art collide!
Learn more here
Guthman Music, Art, and Technology Fair | March 14 4:00pm
Presented by: Georgia Tech School of Music
The Guthman Music, Art, and Technology Fair brings together creators from different backgrounds for an interactive showcase of creative technologies. Get hands-on experience with the latest experiments in music 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 interactive, science-fair-style event.
Stop by anytime for this drop-in event, then check out the Guthman Musical Instrument Competition happening at 7pm!
Learn more here
Guthman Musical Instrument Competition | March 14 7:00pm
Presented by: Georgia Tech School of Music
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.
Learn more here
Stories Worth Sharing: Hypothesis | March 17 8:00pm
Presented by: Stories Worth Sharing
Have a story you’ve been itching to tell?
Join us for a night of true, personal storytelling on the theme of “Hypothesis.” Maybe it’s a wild idea you tested, a theory about life that proved you right (or hilariously wrong), or a moment when curiosity led you somewhere unexpected.
Share your 5-7 minute story on stage, or just come to listen and cheer on others. Want to tell your story? Simply drop your name in the hat when you arrive! (Stories only – no stand-up comedy or poetry this time.)
Learn more here
Science Improv | March 18 7:30pm
Presented by: Whole World Improv Theatre, Amanda Rountree & Friends
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.
Learn more here
The Story Collider | March 19 7:30pm
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.
Learn more here
Science Is Lit! | March 20 5:00pm
Presented by: Fernbank Science Center, Jennifer Swanson Books, Brave + Kind Bookshop, DeKalb County School District
Join us at Fernbank Science Center for a special children’s science book celebration, headlined by award-winning author Jennifer Swanson and presented in partnership with Brave + Kind Bookstore! Discover amazing authors and science-themed books for children of all ages. Enjoy family-friendly discussions, hands-on science activities, and engaging literacy experiences that bring stories to life. Celebrate the joy of reading, creativity, and discovery at this inspiring community event for curious minds of all ages!
Learn more here
The Sound of Molecules with the Musical Chemist | March 20 7:00pm
Presented by: Georgia Tech – STEM Comm
Join us at Georgia Tech for an unforgettable evening with The Musical Chemist! Walker Smith turns atomic spectra into sound via data sonification, allowing us to hear a variety of elements and the ethereal chords they create together. His live show, The Sound of Molecules, features lasers, live music, and audience interaction, so bring your dancing shoes and “buckle your seatbelts, because things are about to get elemental!”
Learn more here
Exploration Expo | March 21 10:00am
Presented by: Science ATL
Come on out to the unmissable conclusion of the 2026 Atlanta Science Festival! Hundreds of hands-on science activities at our city’s biggest science party. And, it’s free!
Learn more here
