For the third year in a row, Penn will be well-represented at the Philadelphia Science Festival, a 10-day celebration of the STEM fields: science, technology, engineering, and math.

Organized by The Franklin Institute, the Science Festival is a collaboration between the city’s leading universities, museums, research centers, and hi-tech companies. Penn’s presence will include scientists from several of the University’s schools and labs, as well as staff from the Morris Arboretum and the Penn Museum.  

Science Festival programs will be held at various sites across the city between April 18 and 28. Most are free.

As with previous years, the main event is the Science Carnival. On Saturday, April 20, more than 100 booths, presentations, and exhibits will assemble on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 11 a.m. Penn presenters include the Center for Brain Injury and Repair, the General Robotics, Automation, Sensing and Perception Lab, the Laboratory for the Research of the Structure of Matter, and the School of Veterinary Medicine.

Other favorites from previous festivals will be making repeat appearances.

This year’s Science Day at the Ball Park will batter up on Thursday, April 25, when the Phillies take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at 1:05 p.m. During the game, Citizens Bank Park will be transformed into a sports-science museum, with exhibits ranging from the physics of baseball to the sports of the ancient Greeks.  

The Festival’s Astronomy Night will star on Friday, April 26, with locations around the city. On Penn’s campus, stargazers can congregate at Shoemaker Green starting at 6 p.m. As the sun sets, professional and amateur astronomers will bring out their telescopes to give a tour of the wonders of the night sky, along with lectures, activities, and snacks.  

Discovery Day at Clark Park is also returning on Saturday, April 27, at 10 a.m., with family-friendly events and hands-on activities that will showcase the science of the outdoors.

The Festival will include interactive afterschool programs and talks from researchers who will showcase potential career paths in STEM fields.     

Registration is required for some free events. Check out the full festival calendar, and register or purchase tickets at the Philadelphia Science Festival website.