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SCIFEST TO FEATURE AMBITIOUS CONTENT, INTRIGUING SESSIONS AND WORLD-RENOWNED SPEAKERS
In one of its most extensive science engagement efforts to date, the Saint Louis Science Center encourages people to “see science in a new way” at the five-day festival. UM-St. Louis is a proud sponsor of SciFest 08.
The Saint Louis Science Center will kick off its inaugural SciFest International Science Festival with a diverse assortment of engaging -- and even amusing -- presentations, workshops, films and a symposium designed to excite people across the region about science. Experiences range from “Rock Guitar in 11 Dimensions,” “The Science of Baseball” and “The Science of the Paranormal” to “Energy for the Future” and “Extreme Weather.”
“SciFest truly has something for everyone, no matter their age or past experience with science,” said Doug King, Science Center President & CEO. “We hope people will realize, through SciFest, that science is all around us and can be incredibly fun.”
A strong group of international, national and other renowned speakers and presenters, along with Science Center staff, bring SciFest attendees sessions featuring more than 40 topics ripe for public discussion.
One familiar face among the SciFest presenters is Harry Witchel, Ph.D., a commentator on the UK version of TV’s “Big Brother.” Witchel is a well-known physiologist and body language expert, who will intrigue attendees with “Body Language Laid Bare” and “Seven Rules of Dating.” His TV special “Secrets of Body Language” is scheduled to air on The History Channel on Monday, Oct. 13, the day after his SciFest presentation.
Rick Borchelt, former White House special assistant for public affairs under President Bill Clinton, along with Steve Teitelbaum, Messing Professor of Pathology at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, tackle the topic of stem cell science. Faculty from universities including Cornell, Yale, Harvard, Washington University, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis (see "Celebration of Science" below) and high-level researchers from global science companies complete the speaker roster.
Nearly a dozen OMNIMAX® films and a free showcase of science demonstrations, experiments and activities round out the premiere of SciFest in the United States.
St. Louis was selected as the site for the first SciFest in the United States over many major U.S. cities. It is based on and produced in collaboration with the hugely successful Cheltenham Science Festival in the U.K. SciFest will be an annual event at the Science Center for at least three years. Monsanto Company is the presenting sponsor and additional support comes from Pfizer and several local corporations. Local media partners include the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, KETC/Channel 9, Emmis Radio, Commerce Magazine and the St. Louis American.
Each hour-long session is hosted by expert scientists and presenters. All sessions are ticketed separately to allow attendees to choose their favorite topics and create a personalized SciFest package, including paid sessions and free programming. Most SciFest sessions tickets are $6; special events are $10. Full program and ticket information is available at scifeststl.org.
Other unique features at SciFest 08 include a symposium on “The Future of Science and Technology in St. Louis” on Oct. 13 and a political candidate’s forum Oct. 12, at which those running in the 2008 election are invited to share their views on scientific issues and field questions from the public. Both of these events are free.
SciFest 08: CELEBRATION OF SCIENCE EXTRAVAGANZA Friday, October 10 |
 UMSL's Dr. Thomas F. George and Dr. Barbara Harbach will discuss and demonstrate similarities in the creativity involved in music and science. |
The Grand Opening of SciFest08 is a fundraiser for science literacy in the region. Proceeds from the Celebration of Science Extravaganza will support the Science Center's mission to provide the community with exceptional educational programs and services. Extravaganza attendees will experience an enlightening evening of intrigue and live entertainment, including food and cocktails. Individual tickets to the Celebration of Science Extravaganza are $125 each and include an invitation to special SciFest 08 events, including Science and Music, Seven Rules of Dating, and the Green Fashion Show Competition. From the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Dr. Thomas F. George, Chancellor and professor of chemistry and physics, and Dr. Barbara Harbach, professor of music, demonstrate and discuss similarities in the creativity involved in music and science. With additional help from faculty from the department of music, you are invited to listen and learn about the use of technology in music composition, and the science involved in live jazz improvisation. |
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