MVA Scientific Consultants was invited by the Georgia Bio Ed Institute to participate in the 2015 Atlanta Science Festival on March 28th. Even though the weather was below freezing at 7am, it didn’t deter us. We loaded up the SUV with microscopes and samples and drove off to Centennial Olympic Park to set up. The festival started at 11am and kids started flooding in.
We drew a big crowd immediately with our micro-aquarium – pond water magnified with a stereoscope and displayed on a flat TV screen. Children were amazed by all the microorganisms moving around in the water. Everyone was asking relentlessly “what is this, what is that?”
After guessing what the microorganisms were, the kids moved on to some 3D electron microscopy images of fly ash and asbestos fibers that we had set out. Everyone was grabbing their parents’ arms and yelling “this is so cool, this is so cool,” and at the end even the adults couldn’t help but put on a pair of 3D glasses to learn why all the kids were astounded. Our exhibit was literally mobbed from the first minute to the last second.
It was a great experience and we will certainly be back next year.
The Atlanta Science Festival is a weeklong celebration of local science and technology. Curious people of all ages will explore the science and technology in our region and see how science is connected to all parts of our lives. Scientists and educators from museums, local schools, universities, and companies will uncover mysteries and explain discoveries in a variety of hands-on activities, facility tours, stimulating presentations, and riveting performances to expand our community of science enthusiasts and inspire a new generation of curious thinkers.”
– atlantasciencefestival.org