Cambridge Science Festival

Drawing of the MIT dome on a window reflecting the sunset, plus the CSF logo

Every year, the Koch Institute joins a city-wide celebration of science, technology, engineering, and math as part of the annual Cambridge Science Festival. We have offered a wide range of programming, including biology-themed flash mobs showcasing the novel technologies being developed by MIT's cancer research community, open houses, a detective-themed scavenger hunt, and even a cancer-themed pop-up mini golf course. 

It is our pleasure and responsibility to make our work accessible to visitors of all ages, and to introduce the scientists and engineers of tomorrow to the cancer researchers of today.  

Upcoming Events

Lunch and Learn Convergence Scholars Lightning Talks  

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 12 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Luria Auditorium, 76-156

Convergence Scholars Program postdocs ask creative questions and are trained to answer those questions with diverse tools. In this series of lightning talks, these scientists will tell you how they are preparing for life beyond the Koch Institute with CSP.

Peers + Pros: Mending Under the Microscope 

Saturday, September 28, 2024, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m
The Foundry, 101 Rogers Street, Cambridge, MA 

Boston Fashion Week and Koch Institute Public Galleries collaborate on Peers and Pros, a project exploring sustainable fashion practices. Students from regional fashion programs will use visible mending techniques that extend the life of garments, featuring designs inspired by MIT’s award-winning biomedical images.

KI-ddie Carnival Games 

Sunday, September 29, 2024, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 
Kendall/MIT Open Space, 292 Main St, Cambridge, MA 

Scientists and engineers from MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research will guide kids (and kids-at-heart) through a Seq-Well-style ball toss, a cell mass weight guess, and a mad scramble to build multi-layer “polymer” nanoparticles. Step right up and win a prize! No registration required.

Past Events

Lunch & Learn about the MIT Koch Institute 

Thursday, September 28, 2023, 12:00 p.m.–1:00pm

Learn how MIT scientists and engineers create knowledge, tools, and treatments to fight cancer.

Multiplicities 

September 28, 2023, 4:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Join us for the unveiling of Multiplicities: An Artistic Exploration of Racial Disparities in Cancer Outcomes, a new exhibit curated by Boston-based art and racial health equity startup Nucarta.

Art at Night 

Friday, September 29, 2023, 5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

View the extraordinary visuals from the 2023 KI Image Awards. Koch Institute scientists will be on hand to tell you about their images.

Cancer Research Search-and-Find 

Sunday, October 1, 2023, 12:00 p.m.–4:00pm

Join Koch Institute scientists and engineers at the Cambridge Science Festival Carnival to learn what it's like to be a researcher helping treat cancer. 

Cambridge Science Festival 2022 

Join us in the Kendall Open Space for special events and activities on October 8 and 9. From fashion to superheroes, there's a little something for everyone!

Virtual Lab Tours 

While the MIT campus is closed, go behind the scenes of Koch Institute laboratories with MIT scientists and engineers.

Cancer Detectives 

Search for signs of cancer and try your hand at laboratory challenges in this interactive scavenger hunt designed by MIT scientists and engineers.

Pop-up Mini Golf 

It's time to "putt" cancer in its place as you explore the ins and outs of Koch Institute research.

Open Houses 

Hands-on activities, experiments, demonstrations, games, and prizes showcase the science and technology of MIT cancer research.

Flash Mobs 

Kinesthetic recreations of targeted drug delivery, RNA interference, and immunotherapy bring cancer science and engineering to life in Hockfield Court.