BANGOR — The Maine Science Festival will take place Friday through Sunday, March 20-22, at venues in Bangor.
Organizers said the event is meant to teach, to get people together and get them talking with Maine’s nationally recognized science and technology experts, companies and organizations, including Jackson Laboratory, MDI Biological Laboratory, Bigelow Laboratory, multiple departments and divisions of the University of Maine, the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance, and dozens of other community partners and organizations.
“The Maine Science Festival is our chance to let people know about the remarkable, world-leading research that happens every day in Maine,” said Kate Dickerson, festival founder and director. “We are going to spend the weekend talking about all of the amazing work that is happening in Maine and beyond, done by innovative scientists who are leaders in their fields and who want to share their love of science to all. The best part about the MSF is that you don’t need to be a scientist to enjoy it and walk away learning something. With discussions, workshops, hands-on events, and art exhibits all part of the Maine Science Festival, we will be able to reach people age 3 to 93 no matter what their interest. By celebrating science, we’ll be able to put a spotlight on the research that is moving Maine forward, and help people recognize that science is truly everywhere.”
Dickerson said she began planning for the event two years ago and has engaged dozens of collaborators to help her design and plan the event. The Maine Science Festival, the first of its kind in Maine, will bring together a wide range of attendees, taking science out of the classroom and into restaurants, museums, libraries, galleries and even onto street corners.
Festival events are free to attend with the exception of the headliner event, a presentation given by Academy Award winning scientist Tony DeRose of Pixar Studios, taking place Saturday, March 21, at the Cross Insurance Center.
Dickerson said events are planned for all ages, including talks, panels and demonstrations. A list of festival events is available at mainesciencefestival.org.
Events will include:
- Science on Tap: Sex, Drugs and Rock n’ Roll, 7-10 p.m., Friday, March 20, Big Easy Lounge.
7 p.m., Sex: Tony Sohns will provide insight on the world of insect reproduction. 8 p.m., Drugs: Anthropologist Cindy Isenhour will lead attendees on a journey exploring the historical and cultural significance of hallucinogenic plants. 9 p.m., Rock n’ Roll: How do artists synthesize the sounds we hear in music today? Representatives from the New England School of Communication will demonstrate audio engineering and show some tricks of the trade. Attendees must be 21 and older.
- Crime Scene Investigation, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, March 21, Cross Center. Walk through a simulated crime scene, discover evidence and develop a case theory. Presented and sponsored by Husson University. Open to all ages.
- Tech Today: Drones and Ethics, 12:15-1:15 p.m. Saturday, March 21, Bangor Public Library.
The program will include a demonstration of drones as a jumping-off point for discussion around the ethics technological application. Open to those of high school age and older.
- The Science of Home Brewing, 1-5 p.m., Saturday, March 21, Central Street Farmhouse.
Expert brewer Zeth Lundy will lead a workshop on Brew in a Bag, an option for home brewers. Food scientist Jason Bolton will team up with Zeth and explain the science of the brewing process. Open to those age 21 and older.
- Headliner: Tony DeRose, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21, Cross Center Ballroom. Academy Award winning Pixar scientist Tony DeRose will discuss the magic on the screen and the science behind the scenes. The event will feature Pixar shorts, and DeRose will give the audience unique insight into the science that makes it all possible, from physics and fluid dynamics to computer science and engineering. A question and answer session will follow the presentation. Space is limited and tickets are required. Open to those age 10 and older.
Tickets are $15, $10 students and available at ticketmaster.com/event/01004D78EE767C0E>.
- State Science Fair, 8:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Saturday, March 21, Cross Center Ballroom. View Maine high school students’ poster presentations of their original research. Presented in collaboration with The Jackson Laboratories. Open to all ages.
• 5-Minute Genius, 3-5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 22, Cross Center Ballroom. Meet the rock stars of Maine’s scientific sector as they explain their research in five minutes or less. A question and answer session and a reception will follow the presentations. Open to all ages.