Get ready for an out-of-this world experience as Friends of James Weldon Johnson Park and The ScienceSIS are proud to announce, “Galaxy Fest, Where Culture and Science Ignite”, presented by JTA, on Saturday, September 9, 2023, from 11am to 4pm. Galaxy Fest is a science festival for girls of color in our community, which will provide them with the opportunity to engage with women STEM professionals, explore interactive exhibits, participate in hands-on activities, and immerse themselves in captivating demonstrations. Our goal is to inspire and empower youth to pursue their passions and to provide them with the resources, role models and support they need to succeed in STEM fields.
Galaxy Fest is based on the website called The ScienceSIS, which Erica Willie started around the kitchen table, creating experiments, and sharing her love of science with her three girls. This Festival will, quite literally, blow those homemade experiments up into a spectacular event!
“I created The ScienceSis to try to reverse the gender and race bias I kept experiencing in my own journey as a Software Engineer and Tech Account Executive,” said Willie. “Girls and Women of Color are less likely to have role models and mentors which will make it harder for them to vision themselves in STEM fields. Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort to increase representation, and Galaxy Fest will do so with a day of fun filled events.”
This Festival is proudly sponsored by JTA, UF Health Jacksonville, Custom Strategic Solutions, Roberts Civil Engineering, Root Realty, Equitable Advisors, and Scratchwork. Additional sponsorships are available and will be announced at a later date.
The Festival is free to attend and family and multi-culturally friendly. Food Trucks and concessions will be available for purchase. Some seating will be available, but event goers are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.
Galaxy Fest: Where Culture and Science Ignite will take place on Saturday, September 9, 2023, 11am-4pm at James Weldon Johnson Park 135 W Monroe Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
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About The ScienceSis
At The ScienceSIS, we are on a mission to empower, create, and discover. We believe that every young girl deserves the opportunity to explore the exciting world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and unlock her full potential. Our platform is dedicated to inspiring and uplifting girls of color, fostering a love for learning, and nurturing their curiosity in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Discover more at www.TheScienceSIS.com and on their social media pages.
About Friends of James Weldon Johnson Park
Friends of James Weldon Johnson Park is a nonprofit organization founded in 2014 and contracted with the City of Jacksonville to revitalize the city’s first and most historic public park. James Weldon Johnson Park is located in the heart of downtown Jacksonville, adjacent to City Hall, the main branch of the Jacksonville Public Library, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Our mission is to transform James Weldon Johnson Park into a modern, urban space that engages diverse communities and restores vitality to our city’s public square. We accomplish this by adding and maintaining landscaping and amenities and providing daily programming. Our park ambassadors and security welcome and share information with our guests while ensuring that James Weldon Johnson Park is clean and safe. Our programming is informed and supported by a variety of community partnerships.
Discover more at: www.jamesweldonjohnsonpark.org and on our James Weldon Johnson Park social feeds.