Atlanta Science Festival Begins Two-Week Celebration Featuring Nearly 150 Events Across Atlanta
Thursday, March 5th, 2026
Atlanta Science Festival (ASF) presented by Delta Air Lines, the city’s ultimate celebration of all things science and one of the largest of its kind in the country, begins this Saturday, March 7 and runs through March 21. Both adults and children have the opportunity to experience approximately 150 interactive and educational events at venues across metro Atlanta. It all culminates in the Exploration Expo, a giant science bash in Piedmont Park.
“Science has no boundaries and the Atlanta Science Festival reflects that fact by offering something for everyone,” says Meisa Salaita, executive co-director of Science ATL, the engineers of the Atlanta Science Festival. “Our events show how science impacts our lives in countless ways, allowing all ages the opportunity to learn, touch, and experience the limitless possibilities.”
The festivities kick off with Celebrate STEAM at Georgia Tech. Visit the acclaimed campus and join Georgia Tech scientists, engineers, and students as they share interactive activities on neuroscience, aerospace engineering, robotics, and an array of other topics. (10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 7. Free. Georgia Tech Bio Quad near Ferst Drive and Atlantic Drive.)
Atlanta Science Festival events include strolling with bats, discovering backyard critters, exploring hydroponics, touring cemeteries, plugging into the physics of rock ‘n’ roll, cooking up chemistry in the kitchen, experiencing science-centric storytelling, and more. Many events are free, while some require a nominal fee.
The following is a list of Atlanta Science Festival event highlights:
Take a behind-the-scenes tour of one of Atlanta’s greatest city spaces: Oakland Cemetery. Hear all about the various man-made materials that make up Oakland Cemetery and how its team works to conserve them.
Time/Date: 3-4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7; 1-2:30 p.m. March 10
Cost: Free with advance registration.
Location: Oakland Cemetery, 248 Oakland Ave. SE, Atlanta
The ghosts of historical scientists – think Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, and George Washington Carver – share the tales of their lives, their research, and their demise. Learn about science, test your knowledge via an interactive app, and collect each ghost's talisman of discovery. The tour begins at the Einstein statue on the Georgia Tech campus.
Time/Date: 7-10 p.m. Saturday, March 7
Cost: $5 students; $15 general admission
Location: Georgia Tech Campus, North Ave. NW, Atlanta
Explore “The Weedy Garden” with Margaret Renkl and Billy Renkl
Little Shop of Stories welcomes New York Times writer Margaret Renkl and her brother Billy Renkl for a celebration of the wild wonders right outside our doors. The duo shares their newest picture book, “The Weedy Garden,” and invites kids and families to lean into curiosity during a special story time and author talk inspired by the natural world in our own backyards.
Time/Date: 3-4 p.m. Sunday, March 8
Cost: Free with advance registration.
Location: Little Shop of Stories, 133A East Court Square, Decatur
The Science of Coffee Roasting
Have you ever wondered what's happening when coffee gets roasted? This event will walk you through the basic steps of roasting as we observe a coffee roast cycle. Then we will get a chance to taste a coffee roasted light, medium, and dark. Join us as we discover the science and art of the coffee roasting process.
Time/Date: 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 11; 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18
Cost: $18
Location: Opo Coffee, 314 E. Howard Ave., Decatur
Critter Quest: Helping Science Discover Your Backyard Critters
Ever wondered what critters live in your backyard? Learn more about birds, amphibians, and mammals, and the local organizations that study them. Participants can then go into the field with experts and learn how to identify the different creatures.
Time/Date: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, March 15
Cost: Free with advance registration.
Location: Mason Mill Park, 1400 McConnell Drive, Decatur
Atlanta’s biggest science party serves as the Festival’s grand finale. Curious kids and adults descend upon Piedmont Park to experience 100 hands-on, interactive science booths from local organizations, universities, and companies. Look at your own cells under a microscope; tinker with lasers; make a lung model; code robots through a maze; touch a human brain; look inside a jet engine; and meet frogs, lizards, snakes, and scientists.
Time/Date: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, March 21
Cost: Free
Location: Piedmont Park, at the intersection of Charles Allen Drive and 10th Street, Atlanta
A complete calendar of events is available at: atlantasciencefestival.
