ATLANTA – Mercer University and the Mercer Health Sciences Center are gold-level sponsors of the Atlanta Science Festival, a weeklong science and technology celebration in March that is expected to draw more than 35,000 participants and culminates in a science expo at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. The sponsorship provides the University and the Center numerous opportunities to build awareness and visibility in the academic and scientific communities within metro Atlanta and the region.
The Atlanta Science Festival runs March 22-29 and celebrates the inherent integration of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) in our lives today. Residents of all ages will have the opportunity to explore the science and technology in the region in order to understand how science is connected to all parts of the natural world. Scientists and educators from museums, local schools, universities, and companies will uncover mysteries and explain discoveries in a range of hands-on activities, facility tours, stimulating presentations, and riveting performances to expand the community of science enthusiasts and inspire a new generation of curious thinkers.
Founded by Emory University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the festival is a collaboration among diverse community partners planning a collection of events at more than 30 locations in Atlanta for young people, families and adults. The festival culminates in a science and technology expo at Centennial Olympic Park. As a gold sponsor, Mercer and the Health Sciences Center will, among other things, underwrite a festival event, have a preferred exhibit space at the expo, and be prominently recognized in all print, broadcast and online media promoting the festival, which in total could reach 15 million people.
“We are extremely proud to sponsor an event that ultimately expands our communities' understanding of and interest in science, technology, engineering and math,” said H.W. “Ted” Matthews, Ph.D., Mercer's senior vice president for health sciences. “Both the University and the Center have a vested interest in developing a new generation of scientists, healers and educators, and this festival is a perfect alignment of missions and interests.”
More information about the Atlanta Science Festival is available at www.atlantasciencefestival.org.
About the Mercer University Health Sciences Center
The Mercer Health Sciences Center became operational on July 1, 2012, and includes four academic colleges – medicine, pharmacy, nursing, and health professions. The Center enrolls more than 1,700 students, employs more than 400 full-time faculty and staff, and graduates more than 500 physicians, nurses and nurse educators, physician assistants, pharmacists, physical therapists, family therapists, public health professionals, and biomedical scientists each year. The Center's commitment is to integrate professional education among its future health science professionals by eliminating the traditional silos that have divided them. The Center believes this team-based and patient-centered approach to training health care professionals best serves the needs of patients and ultimately saves money, time and lives. For more information about the Center, please visit hsc.mercer.edu.
