NANTUCKET, MA—The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) announces its 10th annual Nantucket Science Festival (AckSciFest) to be held March 16, 2024, in collaboration with over fifteen Nantucket community partner organizations. The MMA will host its FREE STEAM-inspired day of hands-on learning and exploration on Saturday, March 16 from 10:30am – 2pm, with the addition of a designated sensory friendly hour, for diverse families, starting at 9:30am. Since its inception in 2015, the MMA and its community partners have collaborated to inspire the next generation of inventors, innovators, and dreamers.

This year’s theme focuses on “Cultivating Curiosity” and a mission to expose the Nantucket community to intersectional STEAM experiences. This event exemplifies 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 land, sea, and sky of Nantucket Island. This festival has become the largest late winter/pre-spring event and over fifteen organizations are joining to host tables and share unique hands-on activities again this year!

In 2024, one way the Festival will reinforce the cultivation of curiosity is by collaborating with a diverse portfolio of community partners to demonstrate the diversity of STEAM. “We are thrilled to return for yet another year with a robust festival offering,” said Jónelle Gurley, coordinator of AckSciFest and Director of Science and Programs at the MMA. “The number of community collaborators this year exceeds what we had in the last few years, and we are excited to partner with new collaborators like S.T.A.R. Nantucket, the Nantucket Fire department, the Artists Association of Nantucket, and Nantucket Lights.”

This year’s community partner organizations include: the Artists Association of Nantucket, Egan Maritime Institute, Girl Scouts - Nantucket, Linda Loring Nature Foundation, Mass Audubon, Nantucket Chamber of Commerce, Nantucket Community School, Nantucket Conservation Foundation, Nantucket Historical Association, Nantucket Land and Water Council, Nantucket Lights, Nantucket New School, Nantucket Shellfish Association, Oika, UMASS Boston Field Station, The Trustees of Reservations Nantucket, Nantucket S.T.A.R, and Sustainable Nantucket.  All will be highlighting the incredible opportunities to get, and stay, curious about STEAM on Nantucket.

This event is completely FREE of charge and takes place at the Nantucket High School Gymnasium. Attendees will be able to participate in a range of hands-on activities and experiences. There will be a marine mobile touch tank and oyster filtration activity, a climate and weather monitoring station a marine mysteries activity, an owl pellet identification, sensory crafts, general chemistry and astronomy related activities, and engineering and space exploration fun. The Nantucket Science Festival is made possible thanks to the generosity of its volunteers, partner organizations, and generous sponsors.

ABOUT THE NANTUCKET SCIENCE FESTIVAL

Founded in 2015, the Nantucket Science Festival is a mid-March collaborative community event, featuring hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics activities. It is an initiative of the Maria Mitchell Association in partnership with various Nantucket non-profit organizations, schools, and businesses. For more information, please visit https://www.mariamitchell.org/nantucket-science-festival

ABOUT MARIA MITCHELL ASSOCIATION

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.

                                   ###

For Immediate Release

March 6, 2024

Contact: Jonelle Gurley

jgurley@mariamitchell.org