2013 World Science Festival in New York City

Everyone knows New York is one of the best places in the world for art, culture and entertainment, but did you know that NYC is big in the science scene, too? There are plenty of science-oriented New York City attractions available this spring, including the 2013 World Science Festival. Hosted in New York each year by the Science Festival Foundation, this year’s festival is from May 29 to June 2, 2013, and will be held in locations across the city. The Science Festival Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing the wonder and significance of scientific discovery with the general public. This series of events is perfect for any visitor or local interested in learning more about our world. Sessions span a variety of topics, formats, and styles, including everything from conventional lectures and multi-media presentations to pie-making, film-viewing, and a science themed StorySLAM. Here’s a selection of just a few of the many sessions available during the 2013 World Science Festival.

Big Picture Questions

One of the great things about modern science is just how much exciting and groundbreaking work is being done in labs, universities, and research facilities around the world. These sessions feature cutting-edge topics and big questions that humans have always asked about themselves and the universe. Spooky Action: The Drama of Quantum Mechanics Speakers: Brian Greene, Maia Guest, Carl Howell, Michael Roush Wednesday, May 29, 2013 / 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM Also available on Thursday during the same time slot in the same theater. The New Victory Theater This popular session is all about the mysteries of quantum mechanics, from Einstein’s day to our own. Learn how quantum theories radically changed the ways scientists understood the fabric of the universe. Perfect for the aspiring astrophysicist or Michael Crichton fan. Architects of the Mind: A Blueprint for the Human Brain Speakers: Bill Weir, R. Douglas Fields, Kristen Harris, Murray Shanahan, Gregory Wheeler Friday, May 31, 2013 / 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College You’ve probably heard the metaphor of the body as a machine – well, your brain may be the computer that runs it! Speakers at this session debate past and present theories about the functioning of the human brain, trying to figure out what makes our brains more than “an elaborate organic computer.” Of course all this raises the provoking question: if our brains are computers, then will the advanced computing systems in our future count as sentient? Infinity Speakers: Keith Devlin, Raphael Bousso, Philip Clayton, Steven Strogatz, W Hugh Woodin Friday, May 31, 2013 / 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM NYW Skirball Center for the Performing Arts It doesn’t get any more “big picture” than this. From math to art to philosophy, the concept of infinity has been a huge part of human culture for centuries. In this session, modern scientists and philosophers will debate the possibility of infinity as something that actually exists in our tangible world. The source of some of the most profound and most controversial ideas in human history, the idea of infinity is a truly fascinating topic.

Science and Food

Some of my favorite sessions this year combine the human love of food with the science that produces it. Learn all about the science behind some of your favorite snacks and beverages, alongside a history of the ways in which advances in modern technology have changed both our diet and our relationship with food as a culture. Cheers to Science! A Drinkable Feast of Beer, Biotechnology, and Archaeology Speakers: Sam Calagione, Patrick E. McGovern Thursday, May 30, 2013 / 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM The Bell House The art of brewing beer dates back to 9000 BC, making it quite possibly the oldest use of biotechnology in human history. Beer was also influential in shaping the human diet, agricultural industry, and scientific progress. Explore ancient ales, and even try a few samples! When else can you say you’ve tried a 3,500-year-old Nordic Grog recipe? (Grog tastes a lot better than it sounds.) The Taste of Science Speakers: Dave Arnold, Maxime Bilet, Owen Clark, Wylie Dufresne, Rachel Dutton, Stuart Firestein, Kent Kirshenbaum, Michael Laiskonis, Harold McGee, Amy Rowat, César Vega Thursday, May 30, 2013 / 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Astor Center This session is being billed as “part science lab, part cocktail dinatoire.” Hosted by chefs and culinary scientists, this event is a multi-course tasting experience that reflects the endless possibilities of science in the kitchen. Did you know that a lot of scientific discoveries have been made by experimenting chefs? The Science of Food: From Geek to Chic Maxime Bilet, Anne E. McBride, Harold McGee Friday, May 31, 2013 / 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM The Institute of Culinary Education If “The Taste of Science” looks interesting to you, you’ll probably love this one, too. This session features two groundbreaking books by Harold McGee and Maxine Bilet as the heart of a conversation about the relationship between science and cooking. Think of it as a great retrospective on the culture and technology of food science.

Family-Friendly Sessions

Because the World Science Festival offers such a diverse selection of events and talks, there are a few that aren’t designed with kids in mind (see above: “Cheers to Science!”). Fortunately, Festival planners are putting on a bunch of great events that kids and families will enjoy. The Dance of the Planets: An Evening Under the Stars Saturday, June 1, 2013 / 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Pier 1 at Brooklyn Bridge Park This is the event for kids who love to stargaze (the ones with glow-in-the-dark stickers on the ceiling, too). This outdoor party beneath the Brooklyn Bridge will be a great opportunity to explore the wonders of the night sky alongside leading astronomers. There will be live music and plenty of telescopes to go around (although you’re encouraged to bring your own if you have one). Amateurs and professionals all welcome! [Tip: If your kids love stargazing here, visit the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History for more astronomical fun.] Cool Jobs Speakers: Baba Brinkman, Katherine Isbister, Michelle Khine, Amanda Kinchla, Edwin Olson Sunday, June 2, 2013 / 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts As part of the Science Festival Foundation’s dedication to spreading an interest in science, this session is all about the cool jobs across the science fields available today. If your kids are really into robots, show them the possibilities of a future in engineering design! Other highlighted jobs include everything from ecology to biomedical engineering. The perfect opportunity to inspire a life-long love of science. Of course, this is just a small sliver of what’s going to be on tap at the World Science Festival this year. Visit the Festival website for more information on the schedule; some exhibits and sessions have yet to be announced. And don’t be discouraged if something you really want to see has been sold out – there are a limited number of tickets available only at the door. If your visit to the World Science Festival piques your curiosity, consider a visit to some of the other science-themed New York City attractions, like the American Museum of Natural History (home to one of the best collections of dinosaur bones in the world, plus the famous Hayden Planetarium) and the Intrepid Museum (actually on an aircraft carrier!) and Space Shuttle Pavilion.