Very tippy top of a possible NASA rocket coming to the Franklin Institute this weekend (10/16-17, 9:30am to 5pm)

[ October 16, 2010 9:30 am to October 17, 2010 5:00 pm. ] NASA is touring the mockup of their proposed launch abort system (las) for the Orion spacecraft. So, its the pointy bit that sits atop the passenger bit (Orion), which is supposed to sit atop the Ares rocket. The Ares rocket, however, may or may not ever be built as the president declined to include Constellation [...]

Science on Tap: Colin Purrington “Embracing Darwin” November 9, 6pm

[ November 9, 2009; 6:00 pm; ] I have to admit, Colin Purrington, Swarthmore prof and evolution activist, is one of my heroes. Check out his site, you’ll love it: http://www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci/cpurrin1/evolk12/evoops.htm

I really hope to make this particular cafe, even though I’ve seen him speak a bunch of times.

“Embracing Darwin”
Charles Darwin turned 200 in February, and his book On the Origin [...]

IgNobel Prizes simulcast at the Chemical Heritage Foundation. Oct 1, 7pm

[ October 1, 2009; 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. ] It is the premier event in the field of science humor, the IgNobel Prizes.

Now, for the first time, you can view it live! Well, for the first time without taking a train to Boston.

Still, its a coup for the surprisingly decidedly hip Chemical Heritage Foundation.

Ig Nobel Prizes Live Streaming
Date: [...]

Space Week 2009 at the Franklin Institute Oct 3 – 8

[ October 3, 2009 to October 8, 2009. ] According to the title of the Franklin Institute’s press release, Space and Robots will collide during World Space Week 2009.

Fortunately, space is fairly big, so I’m sure there is room for both space AND robots in…well…space. The event starts Oct. 3 with a robotics competition and ends on the 8th with a special edition [...]

The Nikola Tesla Energy Independence celebrations THIS WEEKEND

Whoa, how did I miss this.
Today marks the 153 birthday of everyone’s favorite real-life mad — meant with all due respect — genius Nikola Tesla. The Nikola Tesla Inventor’s Club is hosting a three-day celebration of the man, his work, and its modern relevance.
Here’s the schedule ripped straight from their site:
Nikola Tesla
Energy Independence [...]

An Introduction to Transition Communities at The Academy of Natural Science’s Town Square

[ July 9, 2009; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. ] Come on feel the noise
Girls rock your boys
We’ll get wild, wild, wild
Wild, wild, wild.

Perhaps I get a different idea when I hear the words “Quiet Riot,” but the Transition Movement is gaining steam (or wind or solar, preferably) and this event, while not necessarily “rocking,” should be very interesting.

The Academy’s under appreciated [...]

Earth Fair this Weekend at The Franklin Institute (7/11-12) 10AM to 3PM

[ July 11, 2009 to July 12, 2009. ] Now, if this weekend is anything like the last, I cannot foresee that anyone would want to spend time indoors at all. But it is July in Philadelphia and the safe bet (without actually bothering to look up the forecast) is that it will be hot and muggy. (Especially) If so, then what a better [...]