Press Release

March 18, 2008

Contact:
P. A d'Arbeloff, Festival Director
617/253-6847
padarb@mit.edu

The Cambridge Science Festival Announces
2008 Festival Schedule of Events

Over 200 Events Open to the Public
Nine-Day Festival Kicks-off with Free Science Carnival April 26th

CAMBRIDGE, MA—Cambridge Science Festival organizers today announced that the second annual citywide celebration of science and technology will take place Saturday, April 26 through Sunday, May 4 in Cambridge, MA. The more than 200 events range from lunch with a different Nobel Laureate each weekday, to building and launching your own rocket, to theatrical and opera performances. The festival kicks-off with a free Science Carnival at Cambridge City Hall on April 26th from noon until 4:00 pm.

For a complete schedule of events, visit www.cambridgesciencefestival.org.

The Cambridge Science Festival, the first of its kind in the United States, showcases Cambridge as an internationally recognized leader in science and technology. A multifaceted, multicultural event modeled on art, music and movie festivals, the festival promises to make science accessible, interactive and fun, highlighting the impact of science and technology in all our lives.

This year's festival over nine days will include more than 200 events open to the public and held at different venues throughout the city of Cambridge. Festivalgoers can participate in workshops, behind the scenes tours, talks, performances, debates and film festivals. Many of the events are interactive and geared to kids and their families. But there will also be adult-focused events, such as exploring whether neuronal enhancements could or should be used to make you smarter with Neuroscientist and Harvard Provost Steve Hyman, Picower Institute Director Mark Bear, and MIT Neuropharmacology Professor Richard Wurtman.

Last year the nation's first and only science festival drew an estimated 15,000 people from the New England region.

"The festival aims to make world-class science and technology – and the people who do it – directly accessible to the community," said Festival Executive Director and MIT Museum Director John Durant. "Science is relevant to absolutely everyone; but we hope that in particular our festival will inspire curious young minds to explore the world about them in new ways."

The Cambridge Science Festival is a collaboration among MIT, Harvard University, the City of Cambridge, Cambridge Public Schools, Cambridge Public Library, WGBH, and the Museum of Science.

The festival is generously supported by MIT, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the City of Cambridge, Larry and Diane Bock, Wyeth Research, Biogen Idec, Harvard University, Novartis, Genzyme, Merck, Millennium, Pfizer, Vertex, Alnylam, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Boston Properties, Draper Labs, MathWorks, Shire, the Cambridge Community Foundation, CDM, Cubist, and Schering-Plough.

"We are most grateful to our sponsors, without whom this festival would not be possible," said Dr. Durant. "Together with our sponsors and collaborators, we encourage everyone to come to the second annual Cambridge Science Festival and bring their curiosity!"