6 Cool Events at the Philadelphia Science Festival

The 5th Philadelphia Science Festival is upon us. Here's a quick look at six of the more interesting events this week.

The Philadelphia Science Festival begins its fifth year starting tomorrow, and there are scores of events where you can let out your inner science dork.

We’ve selected six of the most interesting ones of the next week to highlight. None of them are more than $20 and two of them are free. Enjoy!

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Learn how to make music on your old Gameboy at Friday’s Festival kickoff. | Shutterstock.com

Friday, April 24th: 8-Bit Night
The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St., 7 pm, $15
The kick-off event for this year’s Science Festival promises you can “learn how to play music on your old Gameboy,” which is reason enough to go. (You could be the next Nullsleep or Bit Shifter!) The event will also show the science behind games like Dr. Mario and Oregon Trail.

Saturday, April 25th: Science Night at the Ballpark
Citizens Bank Park, 7:05 p.m., $8 off with promo code SCIENCE
You don’t need science to know the Phillies aren’t playing so well this year, but a night at the ballpark can still be a good time. In addition to a hopeful victory for the Fightin’ Phils, there are 12 sports-themed activities held by everyone from Drexel University to the Dow Chemical Company.

Sunday, April 26th: DNA Cell(fie) Station
University City Science Center Dept. of Making and Doing, 3711 Market Street, 10 am, free
Even if you’re against selfies, you’ll have to enjoy this event: You get to use a digital microscope to examine your hair follicles, cheek cells and more. You can then take photos. Sessions begin on the half hour.

Monday, April 27th: Science on Tap Quizzo
National Mechanics, 22 S. 3rd St., 6pm, free but you should tip well
Quizmaster Jason Richardson of the Black Tribbles podcast — the 2014 Geek of the Year — hosts a quizzo on all things science-y (to use a technical term). His favorite geek film is the Transformers cartoon (with Orson Welles!), so you know he’s legit.

Daily Show comedian Wyatt Cenac TK | Photo by David Shankbone/Flickr

Daily Show comedian Wyatt Cenac guests on a live-taping of You’re the Expert on May 1st. | Photo by David Shankbone/Flickr

Wednesday, April 29th: Nerd Nite: Science Myths Busted
Frankford Hall, 1210 Frankford Ave., $5
The monthly lecture series is holding a special Science Fest version next week, with a focus on busting popular myths about science. If you’re a cryptozoology enthusiast, you may want to cover your ears.

Friday, May 1st: You’re the Expert
The Franklin Institute, 222 North 20th Street, 8pm, $15/$20 door
Comedians Jo Firestone, Zhubin Parang and Wyatt Cenac — best known for his work on The Daily Show — will attempt to guess the expertise of one of Philadelphia’s top scientists. It’s hosted by Chris Duffy of the podcast with the same name.