HAVE A GREAT IDEA ABOUT URBAN SUSTAINABILITY? WE MIGHT JUST HAVE A PRIZE FOR YOU!
We are pleased to announce..The Adult Science Fair!
The Adult Science Fair is a juried, one-day competition of innovative concepts pertinent to the theme “Urban Sustainability”, with sound scientific or technical basis, positive social-impact, and viability. Sojourn Philly is partnering with NextFab and University City Science Center.
Suitable themes include – but are not limited to:
- Urban farming (hydro-, aero-, aqua-ponics)
- Urban gardening
- Renewable energy
- Urban planning
- Urban manufacturing
- Urban distribution
- Urban transportation
The Fair is open to both teams and individuals who have concepts or projects in various stages of development, though already-commercialized concepts are not eligible. Students, hobbyists, researchers, early-stage entrepreneurs, and otherwise-interested adults are all welcome! Concepts may involve all types of media, including software, hardware, and art, and may apply to objects, services, public policy, and more.
Entries will be vetted for inclusion based on the above criteria for soundness, feasibility and thematic aptness, as well as engaging and informative display for public consumption. Display may be of an actual item/prototype, digital representation, art work, poster, or combination thereof.
The competition will culminate on October 22nd with a single-day of public display, presentations, and judging, to take place at the PHS Pop Up Garden at UCitySquare, at 36th and Filbert Streets.
Winners will be announced in two categories: juried and public. Juried winners will receive cash prizes. Winners of the public vote will receive merchandise.
ENTRIES
The competition is limited to 20 entries, which will be vetted and selected on a rolling basis, and will be closed once all spaces are filled or until October 15th.
Application materials should include:
- Abstract
- Short format for social media – 140 characters
- Long format for selection – ca. 450 words
- 75 word Bios of key people
- 1 minute video explanation / “pitch” (standard video formats, only, e.g. Windows Media formats, Quicktime)
- Signed waiver allowing use of application materials of selected participants for event promotion
Please send Abstracts, Bios, and Waiver as a single pdf to: entries@sojournphilly.com
Interested in being a sponsor? Please contact jill@sojournphilly.com
DISPLAY
All selected entries will be set up for display and judging on October 22nd. Participants must bring all relevant materials for display to the garden on October 22nd, beginning at 11am, and must remove all materials the same day, by 7pm.
Each entry will have ca 2′ x 4′ of space – table or “open”. Tables will be provided. Specialized display-equipment will not be provided. Posters and display boards should be 36″ x 48″. The venue is outdoors, and participants should plan accordingly for wind and sun. Both electricity and wi fi are limited, and participants should plan on supplying their own. Larger spaces are possible with prior approval, where deemed necessary by event organizers.
Hazardous materials will not be allowed.
About NextFab
Founded by Dr. Evan Malone in 2009, with three locations in the mid-Atlantic region, NextFab is the premiere destination for makers, artisans, and hardware entrepreneurs. NextFab provides the tools, training, consulting, and capital required for innovators to turn ideas into products, and products into businesses. This is the future of making, and it’s yours to create.
About the Science Center
Located in the heart of uCity Square, the Science Center is a mission-driven nonprofit organization that catalyzes and connects innovation to entrepreneurship and technology commercialization. For 50+ years, the Science Center has supported startups, research, and economic development in the life sciences, healthcare, physical sciences, and emerging technology sectors. As a result, graduate firms and current residents of the Science Center’s incubator support one out of every 100 jobs in the Greater Philadelphia region and drive $13 billion in economic activity in the region annually. By providing resources and programming for any stage of a business’s lifecycle, the Science Center helps scientists, entrepreneurs and innovators take their concepts from idea to IPO – and beyond. For more information about the Science Center, go to www.sciencecenter.org.