The Atlanta Science Festival returns for 2022 with 100 free & cheap events

The Atlanta Science Festival takes place from March 16th to 26th in 2022.
This popular festival is returning to its usual format, with over 100 events that build up to the annual Exploration Expo in Piedmont Park.

Festival events are designed to appeal to curious kids and adults alike. Many of them are FREE, although some come with a fee that can range from $5 to $30, usually to cover workshop materials.

What to expect this year

Note that this section is not yet updated for 2022. We’re attending a media briefing in late January about this year’s Science Festival and will update after that!

Instead of scaling down, limiting capacity, or canceling this year’s festival, the organizers have come up with new event formats that allow safe access to thousands of people — wow!

Some are virtual workshops that let you participate from home. You may need to assemble a list of supplies in advance, or register to receive the supply kit by mail.

Other event formats include self-guided scavenger hunts and discovery walks. These are low-contact, open-air events designed for unlimited capacity in wide open spaces.

You can also enjoy virtual performances, designed in partnership with arts organizations like Horizon Theatre, Found Stages, and Whole World Improv Theatre.

The schedule includes a few in-person events — and these will necessarily have very limited capacity.

Sadly, the 2021 Science Festival will not include the Exploration Expo at Piedmont Park this year. 

Some events will focus on issues brought to light by the pandemic, helping you understand these historic and challenging times.

How to join in the fun

Our best advice?
Browse the entire schedule of events online ASAP and figure out which ones you want to participate in. Some require pre-registration, which is open now, so pay attention to the details as you browse.

This year’s Science Festival website is amazing. It lets you sort events by:
• Date
• 17 different topics (everything from Robotics to Astronomy to Food & Drink and Irreverent Fun)
• Type of event (virtual, scavenger hunt, walk, etc.)
• Price (many are free!)
• Audience (adults, families, or school age group)

Go to the Atlanta Science Festival website

A new trio of FREE signature events

These three new event series have been planned for broad access by anyone who wants to join in — because they take place in virtual, self-guided, and outdoor formats.

Note that some of the outdoor events ask that you wear masks to participate.

◊ Atlanta 40
Play along with this conservation game that celebrates 40 notable organisms in our region — everything from the loblolly pine to the spotted salamander. It features hilarious videos created by experts, along with mini conservation challenges for each.

Sign up for the game here. It is FREE, but you will need to pre-register.  The experience goes live on March 13th, with the start of the Atlanta Science Festival.

 

◊ Discovery Walks
Science is everywhere! On each of these four self-guided walks, you’ll make ten intriguing science stops. The routes are family-friendly and range from 2 to 4 miles in length, through some of Atlanta’s coolest parks and neighborhoods.

We did a pre-festival trial run of a discovery walk — here’s the scoop!

These walks are FREE, and you do NOT need to pre-register. To participate, you’ll just pick up the route map on the day of the event.
Get details on the Discovery Walks here

The walks take place on four dates, over two weekends:
March 13-14th, and March 20-21st.

Locations include:
• Cascade Springs Nature Preserve
• Sweet Auburn Historic District
• Downtown Decatur
• BeltLine and Piedmont Park

 

◊ City Science Quest
This app-based scavenger hunt lets you complete a series of interactive missions from the comfort of home. You’ll submit photos, videos, and text evidence to earn points and compete for prizes.

The event is FREE, but you must register in advance to gain access to any or all of the three quest sessions. You’ll also need a smart phone or tablet, plus wi-fi access. Younger kids will need the help of an adult.

Quest sessions take place on March 13th, 21st, and 27th.
Get more info and register here

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You may also be interested in:

• The Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival is on for 2021
• Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery
• Enjoy 20 million daffodils at Gibbs Gardens
• 2021 Spring Festival Guide for metro Atlanta

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Highlighted events from the Science Festival

This is just a sampling of over 80 FREE and cheap events hosted by the Science Festival between March 13th and 27th.

Remember to click through the links for details, because some require you to register in advance or assemble a list of supplies.

Visit the Atlanta Science Festival full event schedule to find an activity that appeals to you!

Orienteering Scavenger Hunt

Saturday, March 13
7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Mason Mill Park
FREE, unlimited capacity

This self-guided scavenger hunt will help you find 100-year-old dams, fairy houses, interesting graffiti, and many other unusual things. You’ll use your wits to solve clues and your compass-orienteering skills to find the way. Are you up to the challenge?

 

Air Quality Scavenger Hunt

Saturday, March 13
11 a.m to 3 p.m. — you’ll register for a 30- minute time slot
Historic Fourth Ward Park 
FREE with registration
Limited capacity

Your mission is to use clues and an Air Emory sensor to collect air quality data around Historic Fourth Ward Park to be used by an environmental scientist.

 

Physics & Astronomy Double Feature

Saturday, March 13
4 to 6 p.m.
FREE
Virtual event

Explore the fundamental science of physics in this workshop. You’ll make your own telephone, use household items to explore the night sky, and even get a little creative with some alien activities!
NOE: There’s a supply list of items you’ll need to have on hand.

 

Mathapalooza

Saturday, March 14
1 to 5 p.m.
FREE with advance registration
Virtual event, capacity is 500

Celebrate Pi Day! There will be puzzles and games to amuse and challenge everyone from kids to rocket scientists. There will be mathematical music, magic tricks, artwork, and mathematical stories that will be recounted on stage through dance, courtroom dramas, and circus acts.

 

Minerals, Rocks, and Fossils… Oh My!

Wednesday, March 17
2 to 3:30 p.m.
FREE with advance registration
Virtual event, unlimited capacity

In this virtual adventure, you’ll explore the different regions in our state, bounce around on the map, and learn how to have further adventures including geocaching and using Google cardboard. NOTE: There’s a supply list of materials you’ll need to have on hand.

 

Sensory Garden Scavenger Hunt

Saturday, March 20
1 to 4 p.m. (self-guided event; arrive at any time)
Grant Park
FREE with advance registration
Low-contact, outdoor event limited to 100

Search for sensory experiences and native plants and animals across Grant Park. Along the way, you’ll stop at checkpoints throughout the park to pick up supplies for an at-home planting activity. This is a self-paced event; you can arrive at any time within the 1-4pm window. This event was designed with disabled participants and their families in mind, but anyone can participate!

 

Mathvenger Hunt

Saturday, March 27th
1 to 4 p.m. (come anytime)
Agnes Scott College campus
FREE outdoor event

Come alone or with your family to solve math and math-adjacent problems of age-appropriate difficulty while visiting various locations on the beautiful Agnes Scott College campus. Do the math and scavenge the fun! Come anytime in this window and expect the hunt to last 60-90 minutes.

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