8th Annual Nantucket Science Festival

Logan Gomes • Mar 03, 2022

 Nantucket, MA – The Nantucket Science Festival is back for another exciting year; let’s get curious about science! On Saturday, March 19, from 10am - 2pm, join the Maria Mitchell Association and the Nantucket Community School for a STEAM inspired day focusing on “Coast, Climate, and Curiosity!” Since 2015, the MMA has teamed up with the Nantucket Community School in an effort to connect people with their inner scientist through fun interactive activities for all ages. Pauline Cronin, NCS Early Childhood Education Coordinator, shared, “We are so excited to be able to bring this event back in person to the Nantucket Community and grateful to the Maria Mitchell Association for its partnership and dedication. This is fun and engaging event for children of all ages.” 



This year's theme of "Coast, Climate, and Curiosity!” supports the MMA's mission of creating opportunities for all to develop a life-long passion for science through education, research, and first-hand exploration of the sky, land, and sea of Nantucket Island. 


Last year’s festival was comprised of COVID-safe programming including DIY activity kits, outdoor adventures, online resources, and a video and photography contest. This year's event is planned to be entirely in-person at the Nantucket High School Gymnasium. Fourteen community organizations are coming together to host unique tables with activities revolving around scientific research, Nantucket’s coastlines, and climate-based initiatives. “It is exciting to organize this year’s science festival around a theme so closely tied to Nantucket’s ecosystem, and to inspire curiosity and inquiry in the Nantucket community,” stated Camden Palm, the MMA’s Education Coordinator. 


This event is completely free of charge and has grown to be the largest mid-winter event for the community. Participants will enjoy fun STEAM activities ranging from engineering a box city, and investigating bird flight, to engaging with Nantucket’s marine creatures and creating theme-based crafts. Details can be found on the MMA’s website: www.mariamitchell.org. 

The Nantucket Science Festival is made possible thanks to the generosity of its volunteers, partners, and sponsors. A special thank you to ACKlimate, the Cape Cod 5 Foundation, and the Osceola Foundation for their generous sponsorship support. 

The Maria Mitchell Association is a private non-profit organization.


Founded in 1902, the MMA works to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, a research center, and preserves the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages.


Nantucket Community school provides a diverse level of high-quality, affordable programs, encourages life-long personal growth and reaches out to all members of the community; spanning every age and stage.

For Immediate Release

March 3, 2022

Contact: Logan Gomes, Director of Advancement

lgomes@mariamitchell.org

Recent Posts

08 May, 2024
“If you don’t look, you don’t see. You have to go and look.” -Edith Andrews
By Jascin N. Leonardo FInger 06 May, 2024
I have written of my love for sea glass and pottery shards in the past and the recent replacement of the sewer and water lines on Vestal Street created a small shard collection over the last month. Since the work required the asphalt to be completely removed (all twelve inches of it!) and the road to be dug up multiple times as they worked to remove pipe, relay new pipe, hook up the water meters, and install drainage and manhole covers, this resulted in the earth in the street being tossed about quite a bit. And, with that, came the shards! Some of these likely came from the sewer line (yes, yuck) but others came from being simply in the dirt of the road – which was not paved until 1946/1948. Pieces were likely tossed out at times, made to act as filler in holes, or simply tossed. So I found all sorts of pieces I will keep here at the Mitchell House. They included: a lovely piece with a red floral, many pieces of plates, glass, the top of a late nineteenth or early twentieth century (medicine) bottle, glass shards, a flattened spoon, a brass knob (found by a neighbor) some nails, a spike, pieces of a larger container or two based on the size and curve and coloring of the shards, and possibly a Wampanoag stone tool. One person’s trash is another one’s treasures! JNLF
22 Apr, 2024
Yes. Well, almost. After about a month of working – and some living (staff and or neighbors) – on Vestal Street with all the sewer and water replacement work, the paving happened today (April 17, 2024). This is the first “layer” – a three-inch binder coat. In the fall, once time has passed, they will return for the final one inch of the finish layer. Some of the other things along Vestal Street will also be repaired and updated between now and the final coat – and a bit after that. But we are very happy, after all these years to have a modern system of piping – and all new drainage we never had before! While the curator in me loved the old clay pipes, they were riddled with roots from the trees, holes, and in some places, collapsed, and the twelve inches of asphalt had to go. Vestal Street was only paved in about 1946/1948 – and has not been paved in maybe twenty years so that is a lot of asphalt in about fifty years! And with climate change and the increase in how much rain we get in these heavy rain events, all that water rushed down Vestal Street with nowhere to go – except our cellars. I am sure the neighbors are happy too! A thank you to the Town of Nantucket’s Sewer Department, especially David Gray (who may regret giving me his cellphone number forever), N&M Excavating and Utilities (Dean, we appreciate you being so nice when we had too many questions), Victor-Brandon Corp for paving, and numerous others. We are looking forward to great flushing, powerful hose lines, and rainwater being whisked away via the new, never-before-had storm drains! JNLF And to all the N&M workers who wondered why I was constantly looking down as I walked along Vestal Street, you should see the trove of porcelain shards, glass, old nails, a bottle neck, 19 th century spoon, and even possibly a Wampanoag stone tool I found!
Show More
Share by: