To kick off the 13th annual Atlanta Science Festival (ASF), Georgia Tech hosted Celebrate STEAM on March 7, welcoming thousands of visitors to experience hands-on demonstrations and interactive displays showcasing the innovation and excitement at the intersection of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Setting the stage for the festival, which runs through March 21, Celebrate STEAM saw over 4,000 attendees take part in more than 50 activities on Tech’s campus, from exploring the human brain with Georgia Tech neuroscience experts to creating art with robots.
Aria Washington, a 9-year-old student, first attended Celebrate STEAM in 2024. Intrigued by a robotic dog demonstration, Washington set out to build her own. Two years later, she built her own robotic K-9 and earned first place in several competitions for her work and presentation skills.
“Celebrate STEAM inspired me because when I saw the different exhibits, I thought, ‘I can do that.’ What made me decide to build my own was that I wanted to see how they worked. No one ever told me I was too young, but if someone did, I would try anyway,” she said.
Just Getting Started
Celebrate STEAM was the first of more than 150 Atlanta Science Festival events across the city, culminating with the Exploration Expo at Piedmont Park on the festival’s final day. Georgia Tech, Emory University, Delta Air Lines, and other presenting sponsors will host events throughout the festival, with Tech experts and others providing engaging and informative demonstrations at various events.
From Crisis to Innovation: 50 Years of Renewable Energy
When: Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum
From President Jimmy Carter’s 1970s solar panels on the White House to today’s high-tech solar vehicles, the look and efficiency of clean energy have been rapidly changing. Join the Carter Library and the Georgia Tech Solar Racing team for an engaging panel discussion on the evolution of clean energy.
Hear from experts about how Carter’s early response to the energy crisis helped spark a clean energy revolution and see modern innovations in action. The racing team will bring their solar vehicles on-site for the public to view and interact with, offering a hands-on look at the future of sustainable transportation.
Animals in Motion: Biomechanics Day at Zoo Atlanta
When: Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: Zoo Atlanta
Ever wonder how orangutans swing, or how an elephant’s trunk works? This event at Zoo Atlanta celebrates the diversity of animals on Earth and the incredible ways they move. With help from biomechanics experts at Georgia Tech and other universities, visitors can participate in live demonstrations and presentations designed to engage and inspire them to learn more about biomechanics and its applications in bio-inspired design.
Guthman Musical Instrument Competition
When: Saturday, March 14, 7 – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Ferst Center for the Arts
Attendees will see the world’s most innovative new musical instruments, meet the creators, hear them in concert, and vote on their favorites. The Guthman Musical Instrument Competition is a celebration of how science, engineering, art, and design help us imagine new ways to express ourselves through music.
‘The Sound of Molecules’ With the Musical Chemist
When: Friday, March 20, 7 – 8 p.m.
Where: Room 103, Instructional Center
The Musical Chemist Walker Smith turns atomic spectra into sound through data sonification, allowing visitors to hear a variety of elements and the ethereal chords they create together. His live show, The Sound of Molecules, features lasers, live music, and audience interaction, so “buckle your seatbelts, because things are about to get elemental.”
For a full list of ASF events, visit the festival’s website.
This is sponsored content.
