Summer Schedule 2014
Congratulations
To the Aspen Science Center Staff for the completion of another successful summer season.
A New Home
In addition, more than 200 people have signed paper petitions.
The Aspen Science Center proposes to lease the Old Power House, formerly occupied by the Aspen Art Museum, and convert it into a world-class center for experiential science learning: the Power House Aspen Science Center.
The Aspen Science Center would use the facility
• As a center for informal education in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).
• As a center to gather collaborating non-profit science and educational organizations in the Aspen Valley for joint projects and events.
• As a center to hold a variety of educational events for the public, especially children.
• As an interactive science discovery center with hands-on displays for children of all ages.
For full details, see the ASC Response to the City of Aspen Request for Qualifications below.
Summer Programs
The Aspen Science Festival is a summer-long celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) comprised of programs for kids up and down the Valley in cooperation with various Valley institutions. The programs are deeply rooted in the Aspen Science Center’s mission to improve the public understanding of STEM subjects and centered around our belief that STEM education follows most effectively when kids have had the opportunity to experience the wonder of science first hand.
The Festival consists of a Science Street Fair, a Stargazer Ice Cream Social, the Physics BBQs, Cool Jobs, and the Down Valley Science BBQs.
Physics BBQs are held on the campus of the Aspen Center for Physics and start with a yummy BBQ, followed by hands-on experiments and a talk about science. 5:00 - 6:30PM, June 25, July 9, July 30, 2014.
Cool Jobs. Following our usual BBQ, kids have the opportunity to hear first hand from people who are excited about having jobs based on Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics. They will hear about the wonders of science that these people experience everyday on the job. Aspen Center for Physics, 5:00 - 6:30PM, July 16, 2014
The Down Valley Science BBQs are similar to the Physics BBQs but are held on the campus of Colorado Rocky Mountain School in Carbondale. The usual yummy BBQ is followed by hands on experiments and a talk about science. 5:00 - 6:30PM, July 2 and July 23, 2014.
The Star Gazing Event begins with ice cream made with liquid Nitrogen followed by stories of the stars and ends with star gazing at the Colorado night sky using a variety of telescopes. 7:30 PM, August 6, 2014 (during the Perseid meteor shower) on the Aspen Center for Physics campus.
The Festival concludes with the Science Street Fair, a daylong event 10AM to 4PM, August 10, 2014 in Paepcke Park. The Fair features continuous on-stage performances by professional science entertainers and dozens of hands-on exhibits from top universities and science establishments, local organizations, and local educators and students.
Latest News and Events
Star Gazer Event
Posted on July 24, 2014
A Star Gazer, Ice Cream Social
The Star Gazer Returns to The Aspen Center for Physics
On August 6th Kids BBQ will be a Star Gazer event at 7:30 pm at the Aspen Center for Physics, 700 West Gillespie Street on the dead-end corner of 6th and Gillespie. The evening starts with an ice cream social with ice cream prepared by physicist and their assistants using liquid nitrogen. Everyone will then be able to sample this culinary delight. This will be followed by stories of the heaven told by “Spellbinder” story tellers. and Astrophysicists. The evening will conclude with an opportunity to view the night sky through a host of telescopes provided by the Three Rivers Astronomy Club.
Aspen Science Festival - Science Street Fair 2014
Posted on July 20, 2014
On August 10, 2014 the Aspen Science Festival - Science Street Fair will be held in Paepcke Park. It will be a non-stop program of interactive exhibits, experiments, games, and shows designed to entertain and inspire. On Stage Dr. Kaboom will return again this year and The Dancing Scientist will explore and amaze with his special brand of science. There will 24 exhibits that cover all areas of science. In previous years you could watch your brain waves or pull DNA strands from strawberry. Others powered electrical device by riding a bike or explored the erosion cased by water as it ran down mountain slopes. Some participants had the opportunity to explore the law of mechanics and electricity and some participants made lava lamp. There was even the opportunity to learn about relativity and gravity waves. This year's exhibitors will bring back the best of the best of the past along with many brand new exhibits.
Physics-is-for-kids BBQs 2014
Posted on June 22, 2014
You're Invited to the "Physics is for Kids" Family BBQs! This unique Wednesday night family Barbeque features a outdoor picnic for families including a fascinating short talk by a noted physicist aimed at kids and their parents. Learn about science while eating your hamburger and chips! The Aspen Science Center's Physics-is-for-Kids BBQs is co-hosted with and is at the Aspen Center for Physics, 700 W. Gillespie Street, Aspen, CO 81611. Here is the schedule of speakers/experimenters. Wednesday Picnics begin -- 5:00-6:00 food and experiments, followed by a science talks
Cool Jobs & Family BBQ
Posted on June 21, 2014
Cool Jobs gives kids the opportunity to hear first hand from people who are working in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. They will hear about the wonders of science that these people experience everyday on the job. July 16
AT THE ASPEN CENTER FOR PHYSICS 6TH & GILLESPIE STREET IN ASPEN
WednesdayJuly 16, 2014 5:00 – 7:00 pm. BBQ starts at 5:00 pm. Program begins at 6:00 pm
A Message from the Chairman of the Board
Posted on June 4, 2014
The Aspen City Council did a terrific job Tuesday, an open session for ideas from the public about the future of the Old Power House (OPH). What a great demonstration of the best of open government!
I made a presentation from the Aspen Science Center. We want to convert the OPH into a world-class discovery center that will engage both children and adults in journeys of discovery about our world. The well-known Exploratorium in San Francisco is committed to working with us to create a world-class center in Aspen.
I have a dream of this discovery center as a major component of the Aspen Idea of mind, body, and spirit.