Penn Medicine will play a starring role in the Philadelphia Science Festival again this year. The Festival is a citywide collaboration showcasing science and technology every April.
This year it runs from April 19 - 28, 10 days to celebrate the region’s strengths in science and technology, bringing together more than 100 partners from academia to museums to restaurants. The Festival will include an extensive line-up of programs and exhibitions designed to inspire the next generation of scientists and spark discussion among young and old.
Take a look at who will be representing Penn Med at the 2013 Philadelphia Science Festival. Penn Med participants are in bold. Click on the links to each event to learn more. Watch this space for more about individual events and for coverage of the festival.
April 20, 2013 11AM – Science Carnival
The Benjamin Franklin Parkway Outer Drive, Between 20
th and 22
nd Streets
222 N. 20
th Street
You’ve never experienced an outdoor carnival like this one! Our carnival features more than 100 exhibitors offering non-stop, family-friendly experiments, interactive activities, games, and a packed line-up of live entertainment. Enjoy liquid nitrogen ice cream, meet live zoo animals, check out the inner-workings of robots, take a tour of a helicopter, extract DNA from a strawberry, test a “crime scene” for forensic evidence, and so much more!
- The following programs will represent Penn
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair
- GRASP Laboratory
- Laboratory for the Research of the Structure of Matter
- Netter Center for Community Partnerships
- School of Veterinary Medicine
- Upward Bound Math and Science
- Biomedical Graduate Studies
April 21, 2013 4:00PM – Hallucinogenic Health: What a Long Strange Trip It’s Been…
Frankford Hall
1210 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19125
Hallucinogenic substances were outlawed over 40 years ago (both for recreational use and as a form of treatment). Explore the history of psychedelic research in America, how labs across the world are reviving that research, and how the field of study may develop in the future.
- Penn neuroscience doctoral candidate Matt Young joins the Franklin Institute for this event.
April 22, 2013 3:30PM – Neighborhood Science After School Independence Branch
Independence Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia
18 S. 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
No Reservation Required – Free
Chemistry, history & health collide for a super science session! Turn your kitchen into a laboratory and explore the roles that chemistry plays in some of your favorite foods, discover life in ancient Greece and Egypt, and learn how to keep your brain and skin healthy.
- University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and the Penn Center for Brain Injury and Repair are partners for this event with the Chemical Heritage Foundation, the Free Library, the Wistar Institute, and the Franklin Institute.
April 22, 2013 6:00PM –Tackling Concussions
City Tap House
3925 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
No Reservation Required – Free
- Doug Smith, director of the Center for Brain Injury and Repair will explore the importance of protecting your brain.
April 23, 2013 4PM – Teacher Workshop: Revealing Our Genetic Code
Department of Making and Doing
3711 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Reservation required – Registration to begin in April
What is genomics and how does it affect our world? Brush-up with a brief review of DNA, use candy models to illustrate high-throughput sequencing and alignment of genomes, and participate in a lively discussion about genomics.
- Penn Genome Frontiers Institute presents this teacher education activity.
April 23, 2013 6PM – Big Ideas: Funding and Innovation
Iron Gate Theater
3700 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Reservation Required – Price: $12. Enter pennmed under the discount code at this link.
What role does the government play in advancing innovation? How are projects chosen to receive funding? Moderated by one former and one current director of the National Science Foundation, this program will feature researchers who’ve generated some of the most well-known scientific breakthroughs of our time and the role that federal funds continue to play in furthering innovation.
- University of Pennsylvania is a partner for this event with the Franklin Institute.
- Speakers include NSF Director Subra Suresh, Engineering Dean emeritus (and former NSF Director) Joe Bordogna, Penn Medicine’s Garret FitzGerald and Glen Gaulton, Engineering postdoctoral fellow Jordan Miller, and Penn Vet professor Chris Hunter.
April 24, 2013 3:30PM – Neighborhood Science After School Cecil B. Moore Branch
Cecil B. Moore Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia
2320 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19121-2927
No Reservation Required – Free
Touch and examine REAL dinosaur fossils and meet LIVE furry (and not so furry!) friends to learn how animals, both extinct and alive, adapt for survival. Then, put your math skills to the test to write and break secret codes, and learn how to mind your brain.
- Penn Center for Brain Injury and Repair is a partner with the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Wagner Free Institute of Science, the Free Library of Philadelphia, the Franklin Institute, and Temple University.
April 25, 2013 1:30PM – Science Day at the Ballpark
Citizens Bank Park
1 Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Reservation required – Price: Ticket prices vary. Use the code "SCIENCE" for a $6 discount on all tickets under $30
Cheer on the Phillies as you explore the science of sports! How does physics affect a pitch and what type of throw is scientifically the hardest to hit? Before and during the game, visit a dozen hands on activity stations throughout the concourse and outside on Citizens Bank Way.
- The GRASP Lab, Penn Museum, and the Penn Center for Brain Injury and Repair are partners for the event with The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Free Library of Philadelphia, Independence Seaport Museum, Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, The Philadelphia Phillies, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, and Temple University.
April 25, 2013 6PM - iHealth: Can Your Smartphone Replace Smart Doctors?
Frankford Hall
1210 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125
No Reservation Required – Free
The number of medical apps has increased exponentially in the past year. Doctors from the University of Pennsylvania will explore the recent boom in availability of health-based phone apps and delineate which of these are scientifically sound and which may ultimately be harmful to you.
- Dr. William Hanson is Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Surgery and Internal Medicine, and Chief Medical Information Officer of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, will be leading the discussion.
April 25, 2013 6PM - Relaxing the Brain: The Benefits of Mindful Meditation
Franklin Square Park Pavilion
200 North 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
No Reservation Required – Free
Mindfulness Meditation has been associated with a wide range of mental and physical benefits. But what is it about mindfulness and meditation that fosters well-being and buffers against the adverse effects of stress, anxiety, and depression? A discussion about the growing body of research on this topic will be followed by a short, guided session of mindfulness meditation.
- Denise Clegg, MAPP, is Managing Director of the Penn Center for Neuroscience & Society and a mindfulness meditation facilitator at the University of Pennsylvania.
April 27, 2013 10AM - Discovery Day: Science in Clark Park
Clark Park
4301 Chester Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104
No Reservation Required – Free
Discover science in your own back yard! Meet local scientists and students while exploring the natural wonders of one of the loveliest parks in the city. Hands-on activities illuminate the science of the outdoors - from sun gazing to creepy crawly creatures - this promises to be a great day for the entire family. Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and the Center for Brain Injury and Repair will be participating.
April 28, 2013 6pm – Science for Sinners
Frankford Hall
1210 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Reservation required – Price: $5
Join this science spin on the seven deadly sins. Eat, drink, and be wary with talks and entertainment acts. Seven speakers will talk about the science behind the 7 deadly sins.
- University of Pennsylvania Center for Cognitive Neuroscience is a partner with the Franklin Institute for this event.