Shake off the winter blues and release your inner scientist at I ♥ Science, a popular, hands-on afternoon of discovery at the Harvard Museum of Natural History that brings science out of the lab and into the community.
Saturday, February 7
1:00–4:00 pm
Harvard Museum of Natural History
26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA
Designed for children and adults of all ages, I ♥ Science offers visitors the chance to interact with professional scientists and amateur collectors while exploring simple, engaging science activities that spark curiosity and conversation.
“The I ♥ Science festival is a great opportunity to share the exciting research we do in MCB with members of the greater Boston/Cambridge community,” says graduate student Claire Li working in the MCB lab of Ryan Nett, who joined the museum’s Science Education Partners Program and is a co-director of the event. “Scientific research can often feel intimidating and inaccessible to the general public. We rarely have the chance to present our research to non-science audiences, yet those interactions are incredibly important for demystifying academic research and preventing misinformation.”
Claire Li
Li adds that events like I ♥ Science play a vital role in making science feel more approachable to everyone. “Exposure to interesting, new scientific discoveries is crucial for inspiring the next generation of scientists, and events such as this are where we can show young students just how fun science is!” she says.
Visitors can look forward to a wide range of interactive experiences, including:
- Meeting Harvard scientists who study how brains learn, how plants behave, and what DNA can reveal about animals
- Viewing spectacular shells from around the world—and even bringing one home
- Experimenting with sound made from rocks or seen in water
- Taking a close look at insect metamorphosis
Rebecka Sepela
For co-director Rebecka Sepela, postdoctoral researcher in the Nick Bellono lab, the event is as much about connection as it is about science. “I got involved with the Harvard Museum of Natural History because I enjoy sharing the joys of science with others,” Sepela says. “Working with kids is especially fun because it reminds me of the magic of science—the excitement of asking questions and discovering how the world works.”
She notes that communicating science to broad audiences also deepens her own perspective as a researcher. “Explaining my science to a general audience forces me to step back and think about why I do what I do and what makes it interesting,” she says. “That reflection helps me relate better to others and my own work.”
Admission & Parking
Regular museum admission rates apply. Free parking is available at the 52 Oxford Street Garage starting at 12:30 pm.
I ♥ Science is presented by the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, and the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture.
Whether you’re a lifelong science enthusiast or just beginning to explore, I ♥ Science offers an afternoon of discovery, conversation, and hands-on fun.
