boston.com News your connection to The Boston Globe
Beta
Today's Globe    Local    Politics    Opinion    Magazine    Education    NECN    Special reports    Obituaries   
Traffic  |  Weather  |  Mobile

Days for discoveries

April 16, 2007

For nine days this month, the city of Cambridge will celebrate what it is known for worldwide: Its scientific prowess. All the obvious local institutions — MIT, Harvard, the Museum of Science — are participating in the Cambridge Science Festival, led by the MIT Museum. Activities will range from nature walks to rocket launches to the world’s first scale model of the human genome. More information is available at cambridgesciencefestival.org, but here’s a selection of events to get you started:

Science carnival

EXPLORE a cornucopia of science-related activities and events, including robots, experiments, concept cars, live animals, dance contests, solar cookers.
WHERE Cambridge City Hall and environs
WHEN Saturday, April 21, noon to 5 p.m.

Human Genome Trail

WALK a scale model of the human genome along Mass. Ave. Figure out which block correlates with your eye color or those dreaded inherited diseases.
WHERE Along Mass. Ave. From Kendall to Harvard squares
WHEN The entire festival

Einstein on the boards

WATCH a production of "Einstein’s Dreams," based on the novel by Alan Lightman.
WHERE Broad Institute, 7 Cambridge Center, Auditorium.
WHEN Various times. Details at undergroundrail waytheater.org.
FEE $12 – 18

Student ingenuity

SEE several MIT student-built robots as they swim across (and at the bottom of) a swimming pool; a satellite that is set to orbit the earth in 2010; and a student-designed technobike that just might inspire you to take up a slide rule and design your own.
WHERE MIT Stata Center, 32 Vassar St.
WHEN Noon to 5 p.m. Repeated on April 28.

Experiment with being a TV star

PARTICIPATE in an experiment on a set for the PBS show that aims to get kids ages 9-12 excited about scientific discovery. Volunteers will do an experiment, filmed with real TV cameras, and the results will be posted on the show’s website, dragonflytv.org. Also, a sneak peek at the upcoming season, starring kids from New England. And if you can’t make it, watch a Dragonfly marathon on WGBH2, April 28 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
WHERE MIT Museum, 265 Mass. Ave., Large conference room.
WHEN April 28-29, 12:00PM - 5:00PM

Sci-fi movie nights

VIEW an excerpt from the “Flash Gordon” series, and see if you agree with the conservation message in “Star Trek — the Voyage Home.” The following week features the “Star Trek” parodies “Galaxy Quest” and “Hardware Wars.”
WHERE Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Phillips Auditorium, 60 Garden St.
WHEN April 21 and 27, 7 p.m.

All the events are free unless otherwise noted

DAY 1

Saturday, April 21

  • Solve a mysterious environmental problem before it destroys the MIT campus. Limit 15 pairs of parents with children 8-14. Sign up in advance via tep-signp@mit.edu.
    WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3:30 p.m.

  • Continuous screenings of Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth."
    WHERE: Cambridge YMCA, Activity Room, 820 Mass. Ave.
    WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5p.m.

  • Guided tour of the Cambridge Historical Society's special collections, including America's first patented sewing machine and Edwin Land's Polaroid camera. Call 617-547-4252 for reservations.
    WHERE: At the Hooper-Lee-Nichols House, 159 Brattle St.
    WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon.

  • Purple loosestrife looks beautiful, but the plant is actually threatening New England's wetlands. Meet the bug that will hopefully rein in its invasive growth.
    WHERE: CPSD Maynard Ecology Center, 650 Concord Ave. Basement of Neville Place Assisted Living Residence
    WHEN: 1 to 3 p.m.

  • Play astronomer for the day, making observations and learning about new findings.
    WHERE: Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, 60 Garden St.
    WHEN: 1 to 5 p.m. Repeated on April 28.

  • Plant seeds as you play with the Frisbee-like Throw-n-Sow.
    WHERE: MIT Stata Center, 32 Vassar St.
    WHEN: Noon to 5 p.m. Repeated on April 28.

    DAY 2

    Sunday, April 22

  • Researcher LuAnn Dahlmann, who recently spent two months in Antarctica, will talk about ice sheet behavior millions of years in the past -- and the future.
    WHERE: MIT Museum, 265 Mass. Ave.
    WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m.

    DAY 3

    Monday, April 23

  • Learn about the vernal pools that support the life cycles of salamanders, wood frogs, tadpoles, and mosquito larvae.
    WHERE: Fresh Pond Reservation
    WHEN: 2 to 3:30 p.m.

  • An MIT "hacks" historian will lead a campus tour of the most notorious student pranks -- known as "hacks" -- as well as a peek into the "official repository of removed hacks" housed at the MIT Museum.
    WHERE: MIT Museum, 265 Mass. Ave., Meet in Lobby.
    WHEN: 4 to 6 p.m. Repeated April 24.

    DAY 4

    Tuesday, April 24

  • Panel discussion on the relationship between humans and robots, with some of the heavy hitters of the artificial intelligence world.
    WHERE: MIT Museum, 265 Mass. Ave.
    WHEN: 2 to 4 p.m.

  • Preschool story hour will focus on shadows and light.
    WHERE: Cambridge Public Library, Longfellow School, 359 Broadway.
    WHEN: 4 p.m.

  • The science of winemaking, along with a tasting, history and its role in longevity. For a reservation e-mail scienceofwine@gmail.com.
    WHERE: MIT Museum, 265 Mass. Ave.
    WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m.

    DAY 5

    Wednesday, April 25

  • Town meeting about stem cells, including discussion of their significance, science, and the implications of stem cell research.
    WHERE: Radcliffe Gym, 18 Mason St.
    WHEN: Noon to 4 p.m.

  • Hear the music of genes as biological signals are transformed into tones and rhythms.
    WHERE: MIT Stata Center, 32 Vassar St. Room D463.
    WHEN: 4:30 to 8 p.m.

  • Hands-on program for preschoolers, involving construction, ice cream making, and creating polymers using everyday objects.
    WHERE: Cambridgeport Children's Center, 65R Chestnut St.
    WHEN: 5:30 to 7 p.m.

  • Compete in a live trivia quiz. Register your team at trivia@cambridgesciencefestival.org.
    WHERE: MIT Stata Center, 32 Vassar St., Kirsch Auditorium, Room 32-123.
    WHEN: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

  • Selections from a recent animation festival will demonstrate how computer graphics are used in various fields of science and technology.
    WHERE: MIT Tang Center, 70 Memorial Drive, Room E51-149.
    WHEN: 7 to 9 p.m.

    DAY 6

    Thursday, April 26

  • MIT celebrates Earth Day with concerts and interactive events.
    WHERE: MIT Stata Center, 32 Vassar St.
    WHEN: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  • Career day aimed at turning middle- and high-school students on to science and technology
    WHERE: Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, 459 Broadway, Cambridge, MA. Main Cafeteria.
    WHEN: 3 to 6 p.m.

  • The quest for fusion power
    WHERE: MIT Building NW17-218, 175 Albany St. Second floor.
    WHEN: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

  • Life science in film, art and stage
    WHERE: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 9 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA. McGovern Auditorium.
    WHEN: 7 to 9 p.m.

    DAY 7

    Friday, April 27

  • NPR's "Science Friday" airs live from Cambridge.
    WHERE: Genzyme, 500 Kendall St. Auditorium.
    WHEN: 2 to 4 p.m.

    DAY 8

    Saturday, April 28

  • A day of rocket building and launching. Bring two 2-liter plastic drink bottles and a tennis ball. Limited to 20, 8 years old and up . Reservations: 617-354-7171.
    WHERE: Danehy Park, 99 Sherman St.
    WHEN: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

  • Learn how scientists find planets orbiting far-off stars. After the talk, cross the street to Danehy Park to stargaze with the experts.
    WHERE: American Association of Variable Star Observers, 49 Bay State Rd.
    WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

    DAY 9

    Saturday, April 29

  • In connection with the Run of the Charles canoe and kayak races, the Charles River Watershed Association will offer eco-boat tours of the river among other activities.
    WHERE: Along the Charles River in Cambridge; Herter Park and Soldiers Field Road in Brighton.
    WHEN: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
    VARIOUS TIMES (go to cambridgesciencefestival.org for details)

  • A two-hour tour tracing the history of innovation in Boston and Cambridge
    WHERE: Leaves from Cambridge City Hall, 795 Mass. Ave.
    FEE: Special Cambridge Science Festival price is $17.50. For tickets, go to bostonhistorycollaborative.org.

  • The North Cambridge Family Opera presents the American premiere of "Lifetime: Songs of Life and Evolution," a science oratorio by English composer David Haines and sung by a 150-member chorus of children and adults. Go to familyopera.com.
    WHERE: MIT Kresge Auditorium, 48 Massachusetts Ave.
    WHEN: Three free performances

  • The Charles Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Science will offer a special show, touring the spring constellations and planets as seen from Harvard Square and other Cambridge locations. Tickets at http://store.mos.org
    WHERE: Museum of Science, Science Park, Boston.
    FEE: $7 -- $9

    THROUGHOUT

  • Self-guided walking and bike tour reflecting evolution on earth over millions of years.
    WHERE: Along Cambridge Street

  • Watch your pulse in a pool: Participants will wear a bracelet that records their pulse and triggers a drop of water to fall into the pool at every beat. Pulses from viewers at a similar exhibit in Oklahoma City will be displayed via lights.
    WHERE: Museum of Science, Science Park, Boston
    WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    FEE: Included with exhibit hall admission.

    © Copyright 2007 Globe Newspaper Company.
    		•
    SEARCH THE ARCHIVES
    feedback form | help | site index | globe archives | rss
    © The New York Times Company