John Anderson and Sarah King organize 3rd South Side Science Festival
The University of Chicago’s South Side Science Festival is gearing up to return on Saturday, Oct. 5, following a successful event in 2023 that drew more than 4,500 attendees.
The annual event—co-organized by the University’s Biological Sciences Division, Physical Sciences Division, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, and Office of Civic Engagement— seeks to engage local students, educators, and workers and connect them to the city’s growing scientific ecosystem, thereby helping to generate a diverse talent pipeline in the sciences and spur economic growth on the historically under-resourced South Side.
As in previous years, the festival organizer spearheading the initiative include University of Chicago Department of Chemistry professors Sarah King and John Anderson, who have planned a packed day full of fun for festival goers.
At this year’s event, attendees will be able to create and command their own robots; reveal secret messages with lemon juice; get a front-row seat to the surprising properties of liquid nitrogen with Fermilab’s own Mr. Freeze; hold a 200-million-year-old fossil; and wind their way through a 20-foot-long replica of a human colon, among dozens of other hands-on experiences.
“The South Side Science Festival allows for wide-reaching public engagement, with the aim of stimulating curiosity and excitement about STEM,” says Nadya Mason, Dean of the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering; Robert J. Zimmer Professor of Molecular Engineering; and Interim Vice President for Science, Innovation, and Partnerships. “The next generation of innovators may well find their passion from our hands-on science activities and demonstrations during the festival. We’re excited to engage with our neighbors and share our activities and enthusiasm. Everyone benefits when science and engineering are inclusive.”
Interest participants are encouraged to join in on the fun on the UChicago campus on:
Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 11am-6pm
At the Crerar Quad 5802 S. Ellis Ave, Chicago, IL
Read up on the details of the event and RSVP today.
To get a glimpse into what's in store, check out this local coverage from WGN9 Chicago on last years celebrations.