Atlanta Science Festival at the Zoo

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Event Date(s): March 14, 19 and 21

Zoo Atlanta is excited to contribute to the 2026 Atlanta Science Festival!

Join us for an annual celebration of the world-class learning and STEM career opportunities in metro Atlanta.

Biomechanics Day returns on March 14 to kick off the Atlanta Science Festival activities at Zoo Atlanta. In addition to our interactive booth at the Exploration Expo on March 21 at Piedmont Park, join us on March 19 for a morning adventure at Zoo Atlanta, designed especially for our youngest scientists and their families and friends. For more information regarding the entire festival and other exciting activities throughout the city, visit atlantasciencefestival.org.

Biomechanics Day: Animals in Motion

March 14 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Ever wonder how orangutans swing, or how an elephant trunk works? Join us at Zoo Atlanta to celebrate the diversity of animals on Earth and the incredible ways they move. Biomechanics Day is a day of learning and experiencing biomechanics of animals from around the world. This event will feature representatives from the Georgia Institute of Technology and other universities, sharing their work on biomechanics and Bio-inspired Design with Zoo Atlanta Members and guests through live demonstrations and presentations sure to engage budding scientists of all ages! By the end of the day, we hope attendees leave excited about biomechanics, real-world applications of Bio-inspired Design, and pursuit of the scientific method when thinking about biology in the classroom and beyond.

This event is free for Zoo Atlanta Members and children under 3; free with general admission.

COST: Free for Zoo Atlanta Members and children under 3; free with general admission.

Adventure Cubs learn about spectacular snakes!

Two young boys look into the flamingo habitat.

March 19 | 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Engaging activities will get you and your little one moving and creating. Young explorers will learn about snakes through a game, craft, story, and singalong before visiting the snake habitats in Scaly Slimy Spectacular to make observations and draw connections to the lesson. This is a great opportunity to make friends and spend time with your little explorers as they discover new skills and learn about wildlife.

COST: $26 for a parent/guardian and child (each additional child participant will be $5/each)*
MEMBER COST: $21 for a parent/guardian and child (each additional child participant will be $5/each)*

*Program registration includes Zoo admission.

Atlanta Science Festival Expo at Piedmont Park

A bright blue eastern bluebird sits on a branch

March 21 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Do Birds Wear Backpacks?

How far do migrating birds travel, and where do they go? And how do scientists uncover these answers to better protect migratory birds and their habitats?

Visit Zoo Atlanta’s booth at the Atlanta Science Festival Expo at Piedmont Park for an interactive exploration in tracking the incredible journeys of migratory birds. In this hands-on experience, participants become wildlife researchers by guiding plush birds equipped with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. Match each bird’s unique ID displayed on the receiver with information on our visual displays to discover more about these species and the ways they are monitored through a network of MOTUS tracking stations across our region.

After the activity, participants are invited to pledge one small action they can take at home to make a meaningful difference for migrating birds. Join us to take flight on a science adventure and discover the amazing journeys happening right above our heads!

COST: Free

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