Previous Youth & Family Events
Pioneers in Science
Thursday, May 29, 2008, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Proshansky Auditorium, CUNY
Could robots someday be our friends? And what would you like to know about how the universe works? A select group of high school students interviewed Nobel Laureate physicist Leon Lederman and ground-breaking robotic engineer Cynthia Breazeal on a wide range of subjects in front of a live audience. read more
Cool Jobs
Friday, May 30, 2008, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Kimmel Center, Eisner & Lubin Auditorium
This multi-media event for curious minds of all ages invited our audience to meet scientists with some of the coolest jobs in the world — from crime scene investigator and space explorer to oceanographer and Disney Imagineer. read more
IJK
Friday, May 30, 2008, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
The New Victory Theater
In this special presentation with the New Victory Theater, planetary scientist Heidi Hammel shed light on the connections between I.J.K., a whimsical physics-inspired showcase of sonic juggling, and the science of motion of large bodies — like planets, comets and galaxies — careening and spinning through space. read more
Science of Disney Imagineering
Saturday, May 31, 2008, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
NYU Skirball Center
G-Force simulators , elephants with GPS, turning audience members into video game controllers, sounds coming out of your head, and things that go "boom" — it was all part of the science behind the "make believe" at Walt Disney Imagineering. No one left empty-handed with all the fun giveaways! Did we mention walking dinosaurs, talking turtles, and more surprise guests? read more
WSF Street Fair
Saturday, May 31, 2008, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
The World Science Festival took to the streets in 2008 with a non-stop program of interactive exhibits, experiments, games, and shows designed to entertain and inspire. Thanks for joining us in the streets around Washington Square — it was fun, it was science, and it was free!
Click here to download the Street Fair's schedule (PDF, 268 kB) read more
Brain Tricks
Saturday, May 31, 2008, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Lecture Hall, NYU
Eric Haseltine, neuroscientist and contributor to Discover Magazine, was paired with a prominent magician, in a mind-boggling demonstration of magic, brainpower and illusion. Watch things appear from thin air and disappear before our eyes! Is it magic or is it all in your brain? read more
Einstein, Time & Cool Stuff
Saturday, May 31, 2008, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Lecture Hall, NYU
You explored just how low you can go when Nobel prize-winning physicist William Phillips took you on a journey to the lowest temperatures ever recorded.
Featuring jaw-dropping experiments and a multimedia display, Phillips showed audiences what happens when ordinary objects are taken to the edge of absolute zero. read more
Science of Disney Imagineering
Saturday, May 31, 2008, 12:30 PM - Thursday, April 9, 2009, 1:30 PM
NYU Skirball Center
G-Force simulators , elephants with GPS, turning audience members into video game controllers, sounds coming out of your head, and things that go "boom" — it was all part of the science behind the "make believe" at Walt Disney Imagineering. No one left empty-handed with all the fun giveaways! Did we mention walking dinosaurs, talking turtles, and more surprise guests? read more
Science of Disney Imagineering
Saturday, May 31, 2008, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
NYU Skirball Center
G-Force simulators, elephants with GPS, turning audience members into video game controllers, sounds coming out of your head, and things that go "boom" — it was all part of the science behind the "make believe" at Walt Disney Imagineering. No one left empty-handed with all the fun giveaways! Did we mention walking dinosaurs, talking turtles, and more surprise guests? read more
Science of Sports
Saturday, May 31, 2008, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Coles Sports Center, NYU
Fans of all ages found something to cheer about when science and sports united. Olympic athletes and NBA players joined top neurologists, physicists, nutritionists, and trainers, to demonstrate just what it takes to be the best in the world and why science is a major player. read more
Mathemagician
Saturday, May 31, 2008, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Lecture Hall, NYU
In this highly entertaining show combining math with magic, "Mathemagician" Arthur Benjamin displayed feats of amazing mental mathematical gymnastics and explained the secrets behind his skills. Find out how he can be faster than an electronic calculator! read more
Peak Experience
Saturday, May 31, 2008, 7:00 PM - Sunday, June 1, 2008, 7:00 AM
Rubin Museum of Art (Cabaret)
The ultimate sleepover: forty children (ages 10-12) — roped together alpine-style — confronted the challenges of climbing Mt. Everest. Guided by an expert in wilderness medicine, Everest veterans, and Sherpas, the kids explored the physics and the physiology of mountaineering. A program created in partnership with the Rubin Museum of Art. read more
Science Sunday at the Met
Sunday, June 1, 2008, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Sunday at The Met celebrated science through a diverse range of all-ages programming taking place in several locations around the museum. Included in these were gallery talks, educational programs for kids, audio presentations about science and art, and a series of lectures about the science of conservancy. read more
Pioneers in Science
Thursday, June 11, 2009, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Tishman Auditorium, The New School
In the second installment of this World Science Festival annual event, selected New York City High School students will interview Nobel laureate and co-chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, Harold Varmus, and preeminent marine biologist, Sylvia Earle. In these insightful interviews, youthful curiosity compels unusually candid conversations, revealing the essence of pioneering science. read more
Cool Jobs
Friday, June 12, 2009, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Kimmel Center, Eisner & Lubin Auditorium
This multi-media event invites curious minds of all ages to meet scientists with some of the coolest jobs out there. Join host Majora Carter to dive into remote caves with microbiologist Hazel Barton, hunt for hidden artistic treasures with Maurizio Seracini, and discover what frogs can tell us about our impact on the environment with biologist Tyrone Hayes. read more
Einstein, Time & Cool Stuff
Saturday, June 13, 2009, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Kimmel Center, Eisner & Lubin Auditorium
What is the relationship between speed and temperature? What does that have to do with making a perfect clock? Back by overwhelming popular demand, Nobel prize-winning physicist William Phillips takes audiences on a journey to the lowest temperatures ever recorded. Featuring jaw-dropping experiments, Phillips demonstrates what happens when ordinary objects are taken to the edge of absolute zero. read more
Bio Blitzing in the Boroughs
Saturday, June 13, 2009, 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Blitz Locations
New York City might be the epicenter of human diversity, but what about our biodiversity? Join us for a Bio Blitz in some of the city’s most beautiful parks and gardens. Professional naturalists and research scientists will guide urban explorers of all ages and backgrounds in a scientific inventory of the flora, fauna, fungi — and all things crawly. In honor of E.O. Wilson, pioneer of the Bio Blitz method, this event will inspire Wilson-like wonder and appreciation for the natural diversity found right in our own neighborhood. read more
Mathemagician
Saturday, June 13, 2009, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Tishman Auditorium, The New School
Reader's Digest has called "Mathemagician" Arthur Benjamin "America's Best Math Whiz." Returning in an encore presentation, Arthur Benjamin displays feats of mental mathematical gymnastics and shares the secrets behind his skills. A combination of math and magic, this program will captivate the entire family. read more
Peak Experience
Saturday, June 13, 2009, 7:00 PM - Sunday, June 14, 2009, 7:00 AM
Rubin Museum of Art (Cabaret)
Peak Experience is the ultimate sleepover adventure for forty children, ages 9-12, as they work together to confront the challenges of climbing Mt. Everest. Led by Robert Anderson, sherpas, and some of the world's most experienced climbers, these young participants will explore the many scientific aspects of mountain climbing — from the physiological demands to the physics.
No adults permitted. read more
Galileo
The Starry Messenger
Sunday, June 14, 2009, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Kimmel Center, Eisner & Lubin Auditorium
The Starry Messenger is a dramatic fun filled adaptation of Galileo's short treatise Siderius Nuncius. Galileo (dressed in 17th century costume) has arrived at the World Science Festival to present a public lecture on his most recent discoveries made using his newly devised spyglass. As he describes his discoveries, Galileo's new method of observation and measurement of nature become apparent. Throughout the presentation the “esteemed scientists” in the audience are actively involved in experiments and demonstrations. read more
Author's Corner
Sunday, June 14, 2009, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Author's Corner - Kimmel Center, NYU
Discovery Theatre and Author’s Corner will host some of today’s most dynamic science authors for a full day of readings, activities, and presentations in Discovery Theatre. Pick up a copy of the newest titles and meet our distinguished authors in person in Authors Corner. Great books make the most complicated topics accessible and exciting. Enjoy readings, discussions, and other activities throughout the day. read more
Surfing the Solar System
With Lucy Hawking
Sunday, June 14, 2009, 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM
Kimmel Center, Eisner & Lubin Auditorium
Lucy Hawking’s talk ‘Surfing the Solar System’ is a young person’s guide to the Solar System and the fascinating universe beyond. Lucy will discuss working with her father, Professor Stephen Hawking, on George’s Secret Key to the Universe, the children’s book that they have authored together. Discover the mysteries of physics, science and the universe in an informative and entertaining look at just what is — and isn’t — out there. read more
Move Speak Spin
Sunday, June 14, 2009, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Kimmel Center, Eisner & Lubin Auditorium
The Dr. Schaffer and Mr. Stern Dance Ensemble, under the direction of founders Karl Schaffer and Erik Stern, has entertained audiences throughout North America with their delightful mix of physicality, humor, and a playful sense of the mathematical. Spinning together rhythm, dance, and storytelling, the company entertains with performances that seamlessly blend art and science. From tap dance to the permutations of a single sheet of paper, from flying machines to the ancient Chinese puzzle tangrams, this dance company displays the magic and mystery that is both dance and mathematics. read more
BioBlitzing the Planet
Ants, Frogs and Crawling Wonders
Sunday, June 14, 2009, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Kimmel Center, Eisner & Lubin Auditorium
How do ants communicate? Are we more like them than we imagine? What is the biggest frog ever photographed? And why does it matter? Bringing Bio Blitzing in the Boroughs full circle, America's consummate naturalist E.O. Wilson and world-renowned insect scientist and photographer Mark Moffett share stories from their adventures in exploring the fascinating and surprising biodiversity of life on Earth. A lively and visually compelling conclusion to the WSF Street Fair in Washington Square Park. read more