The kickoff event will introduce key partners and include a 15 minute "sampler" program; a demonstration, performance and something science oriented for children, so everyone will get a flavor of the range of events and activities that will be part of the festival. Refreshments will be served following the program presentation.
BACKGROUNDER INFORMATION
Science festivals are public celebrations that typically involve the organization of a wide range of public science- and technology-related activities – lectures, debates, demonstrations, exhibitions, concerts, plays, poetry readings, etc. – in a particular community over a period of one-to-several days. Modeled on cultural (art, music, literary) festivals, science festivals aim to make science and technology part of the wider culture by giving most or all sections of the community an opportunity to participate in scientific activities at least once a year.
The MIT Museum is proposing to create the first annual science festival in the United States. The Cambridge Science Festival (CSF) will be a week-long celebration of science and technology, currently scheduled for April 21-29, 2007. Organized by the MIT Museum on behalf of a group of key partners, the CSF will mobilize the considerable scientific resources of the City – academic, educational and commercial – in the creation of a rich program of cultural activities across the city.
There are at least five good reasons for launching a science festival in Cambridge:
- Cambridge has a large number of academic and commercial institutions that are heavily invested in science and technology - in a real sense, this is a ‘science city’ of international distinction;
- Much of Cambridge’s science and technology is largely or wholly unknown to those who are not professionally involved in it – there is a great opportunity, therefore, to reveal some of Cambridge’s hidden science ‘treasures’ to the wider community;
- A number of arts-based festivals already flourish in Cambridge, which suggests that the city is able to support the array of diverse events that is needed to create a festival atmosphere;
- Cambridge has a number of key cultural institutions (including the Museum of Science, and a number of science-based university museums e.g., at Harvard and MIT) that could serve as venues for particular festival activities and events;
- Cambridge is also served by a number of ‘science-friendly’ media, including newspapers, and NPR radio and TV services, that can be expected both to promote and to participate in a science festival.
Audience and Impact
The CSF will be designed to serve all sections of the community – from pre-schoolers to senior citizens. It will serve residents of Cambridge, residents and workers in the Greater Boston Metropolitan Area and visitors and tourists to Cambridge and Boston. The Festival’s indoor and outdoor events over 9 days are expected to reach not less than 100,000 people face-to-face, together with many more through public service radio and TV broadcasts.
The Partnership
Key to the success of the CSF is the active collaboration of a wide range of science and technology-based organizations in and around the city. With this in mind, a partnership is being put together to launch the Festival. As of May 2006, the following institutions have committed in principle to support the CSF:
- MIT
- Harvard
- Boston Museum of Science
- WGBH Boston
- Cambridge City Council
- Cambridge Public Schools
- Cambridge Public Libraries
For more information, contact:
Professor John Durant, Director
The MIT Museum
Building N-51-201
265 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge MA 02139
Email: jdurant@mit.edu
Tel: 617.253.5653
