Along with warmer temperatures and the beautiful blossoming across the city, spring has become synonymous with the Philadelphia Science Festival, a staple and model for similar initiatives in other cities, that continues to grow each year.
Established in 2011 by The Franklin Institute as one of the first of its kind in the country, the Festival is a celebration of science, technology and education in everyday places — parks, libraries, museums, restaurants, and bars. More than 200 partners, including the major academic, research and educational institutions in the area, collaborate to produce a nine-day series of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-focused events for adults and children alike.
The Festival aims to engage the community and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers by creating homegrown citizen scientists.
Wistar is proud to be a partner and to have served on the advisory council for the Festival from the beginning. This year, a team of Wistar volunteers will participate in Festival events with hands-on, educational activities designed to inform the public about basic cancer and infectious diseases and spread awareness about Wistar science. Wistar’s commitment to the Science Festival aligns with its mission of educating new generations of scientists and engaging the community in its work to improve human health.
The Festival culminates in the free, daylong Science Carnival on the Ben Franklin Parkway on May 4 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. A group of Wistar scientists, trainees and staff will share their passion for science with Festival attendees at the Wistar booth in zone 6/Blue. Volunteers work hard each year to explain vaccine development or how a cell functions, but they are rewarded by the enthusiasm and curiosity of those that visit the Wistar tent.
For more info and full Festival program, visit www.fi.edu/psf.