Looking for a good reaction from your kids? Thanks to the Atlanta Science Festival from Mar. 13-27 at multiple locations across Atlanta, you can wow them with over 80 virtual, self-guided, and outdoor events. With hands-on experiments, walks, and scavenger hunts ranging in topic from environmental science and climate to healthcare and COVID, the Atlanta Science Festival is a no brainer. Keep reading for our curated list of events that are certain to please.
On Location
Drive-In Demo Show
Join Emory chemists for a drive-in demo show! Chemistry is the central science, explaining the world from the smallest atom to the biggest explosion. In this show, scientists will make some of the small stuff big so you can see and understand it...and show off some of the big stuff, from making a real cloud to setting off a (safe) explosion.
To maintain a COVID safe environment, you must pre-register your car for a specific session (note - they will not be counting the number of people in each car, feel free to bring your families or pod-members all in a single car).
Free, but registration required
Sat., Mar 20
11 a.m., 12 & 1 p.m.
601 W Ponce De Leon Ave.
Decatur
Online: 2021.atlantasciencefestival.org
Zoo Seekers!
Be one of the first to explore the Zoo with a new lens, through the NEW Zoo Seekers program. Designed for families, this safe, self-guided, discovery program will encourage you to use your senses to uncover the unique ways that zoos participate in saving wildlife and wild places. With the help of a borrowed Exploration Pack containing observation and measurement tools, you and your family will visit zoo habitats and animals, completing hands-on activities and practice skills used by scientists working to protect the environment.
Register to select a specific time slot to join in on the fun. Zoo admission is included in your ticket cost.
Non-Members $24.99 adult, $18.99 child, Members free with advance registration
Sat. Mar 20 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
800 Cherokee Ave. SE
Grant Park
Online: 2021.atlantasciencefestival.org
Walks & Scavenger Hunts
Fernbank Forest Night Walk
Enjoy a guided walk through Fernbank Forest as the sun sets and into the early evening. Test out your senses to see how you would fare as a nocturnal animal, and maybe even observe some if you’re lucky. Meet in Museum lobby.
Register in advance; $10/ person, members, $20/ person, non-members
767 Clifton Rd NE
Druid Hills
Online: 2021.atlantasciencefestival.org
Discovery Walks
Enjoy four family-friendly, self-guided walks featuring exciting science stops. Pick up a free Discovery Walks map (contactless pickup from masked volunteers) for a COVID-friendly science adventure through some of the coolest neighborhoods and parks in Atlanta, including Cascade Springs, Decatur, Sweet Auburn, and Beltline & Piedmont Park.
No registration is necessary, but click here for details on designated map pick up locations and times.
Orienteering Scavenger Hunt at Mason Mill Park
Mason Mill Park contains a 100-acre forest with many surprises. This self-guided scavenger hunt will help you find 100-year-old dams, fairy houses, gnome homes, decorated Christmas trees, interesting graffiti, City Champion trees, and many other unusual things. But to find these spots, you’ll have to use your wits to solve clues and your compass-orienteering skills to find the way.
Free and self-paced
Sat., Mar 13 - Sat., Mar 27
1340 McConnell Dr.
Decatur
Online: 2021.atlantasciencefestival.com
From Home
City Science Quest
With help from your mobile device, uncover Atlanta’s innovations, discoveries, and STEM careers by completing missions from the comfort of your own home in this app-based scavenger hunt. Compete against other curious kids and adults as you submit photos, videos, and text evidence to earn points for completing missions. Prizes will be awarded. Registration gives you access to any or all of the three scheduled two-hour sessions, and each session will offer new missions.
Free
Mar. 13 & 21 from 4-6 p.m., and Mar. 27 at 9 a.m.
Online: 2021.atlantasciencefestival.org
Atlanta 40
Re-introduce yourself to 40 species that are central to the identity of Atlanta in this online conservation challenge. Sign up to play and you'll get to learn about 40 different species and for each, you'll be given a micro-conservation task. Complete each of the 40 tasks and get prizes.
Free
Sat. Mar. 13 & 27 at 9 a.m.
Register here.
STEMStar Day with K.I.D.S. Club - Elementary/Middle
Love to code? Always wanted to know how to build a robot? Curious about science? Join K.I.D.S. Club and STEAM Workshop at Georgia Tech for an afternoon of exciting hands on STEAM workshops. From the comforts of your home, meet professional STEMStars while building and creating cool STEM projects.
Sat,, Mar. 13
11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
Register here. $20.
For a full calendar of events for the Atlanta Science Festival, click here.
—Shelley Massey
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