A number of high-profile speakers and authors are coming to Indiana as part of the Quantum Leap initiative – a set of programs coordinated by Indiana Humanities that bridge the STEM fields – science, technology, engineering, math and medicine – with the humanities. Adults will also have the chance to take field trips to places of discovery, and participate in a number of hands-on workshops. A subset of activities will be available for adults and students that center around themes from the book Frankenstein, which celebrates its 200th birthday this year, including the first-ever Indiana Sci-Fi and Horror Writers Festival for teens this fall.
Other highlights include an INconversation with Kimberly Bryant, founder of Black Girls Code; an evening with author Rebecca Skloot; a Quantum Leap Field Trip to New Harmony; a monthly science book club; and a “Frankenstein” science workshop for educators. In addition, there are more than 350 activities across the state taking place because of Community Read and Frankenfest Grants provided by Indiana Humanities, along with an exhibit at Indiana University’s Lilly Library and Operation Frankenstein at the University of Notre Dame.
Here are the upcoming programs, descriptions, locations and dates:
May 16: Recrafting Math Workshop
Sun King Brewing Co., Indianapolis
Get your craft on while learning the fascinating mathematical principles that underlie traditional female crafts like knitting and weaving with our friends from IU’s Creativity Labs and Sun King Brewing. More info: RecraftingMath.Eventbrite.com
May 19: Electrifying Education: Teaching Science With Frankenstein
Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis
A workshop for informal science educators introducing the hands-on activities in the Frankenstein200 kit. More info: ElectrifyingEducation.eventbrite.com
Summer, TBD: Quantum Leap Field Trip to the AVL
IUPUI, Indianapolis
Hidden on the IUPUI campus is the AVL, where designers, gamers and theorists tinker and test virtual and augmented reality applications. Get trippy with us as we experience these blurred lines and consider their ramifications. More info: IndianaHumanities.org/QLFieldTrips
Aug. 18: Quantum Leap Field Trip to New Harmony
New Harmony
This tiny Indiana town was once the center of the American science community. Come discover the story. More info: IndianaHumanities.org/QLFieldTrips
Sept. 12: Chew on This: Will Machines Replace Us?
Various restaurants in Indianapolis and a handful of other cities around Indiana.
Using the power of food as a catalyst for conversation, a facilitator will lead a discussion about technology, automation and the future of work and communities. More info: IndianaHumanities.org/ChewonThis
Sept. 15: Quantum Leap Field Trip to Purdue
Purdue Entomology Labs, Lafayette
We’re buzzing with excitement about this bee-focused Field Trip. We’ll learn about efforts to create an “Indiana Queen,” how to counter colony collapse and why humans and bees need each other. More info: IndianaHumanities.org/QLFieldTrips
Sept. 24: INconversation with Kimberly Bryant
Ivy Tech Community College, Indianapolis
The founder of Black Girls Code talks about her journey through Silicon Valley and why it matters who builds our algorithms. More info: IndianaHumanities.org/QLINconversation
Oct. 11: INconversation with Victor LaValle
Indianapolis Public Library, Indianapolis
Hear from the creator of the Destroyer comics, which reimagine the “Frankenstein” myth by way of Black Lives Matter. More info: IndianaHumanities.org/QLINconversation
Oct. 20: Indiana Sci-Fi & Horror Writers Festival
Indiana State Library, Indianapolis
This teen-focused festival explores the two genres that trace their origins to “Frankenstein,” with author talks, creative writing workshops, a makers space and more. More info: IndianaHumanities.org/WritersFestival
Oct. 23: An Evening with Rebecca Skloot
Northwood, Indianapolis
The author of “The Immortal Lives of Henrietta Lacks” will share the incredible story she uncovered and the important questions it raises about medical ethics. In partnership with the Indianapolis Public Library. More info: IndianaHumanities.org/QLINconversation
Nov. 27-29: Quantum Leap Poetry Tour
Hanover, Greencastle, Shelbyville, Indianapolis
Tracy K. Smith, the U.S. Poet Laureate, will tour four Indiana communities for a series of readings and conversations with Indiana Poet Laureate Adrian Matejka. More info: IndianaHumanities.org/QLPoetryTour
Monthly: Books, Booze and Brains
Center Point Brewing, Indianapolis
A monthly book club held on the third Tuesday of the month. A popular science book is chosen each month and a local expert discusses themes from the book. More info: IndianaHumanities.org/BooksBoozeBrains
Bi-weekly: Sound Bites
Short audio episodes that spotlight Hoosier ingenuity, past and present. Highlights include Bloomington’s ground-breaking “Attic Lab,” a renowned physicist from Pike County, Chauncey Rose’s contribution to the future of transportation, an African American oil tycoon, and more. More info: IndianaHumanities.org/SoundBites
Regularly: One State / One Story: Frankenstein activities
More than 350 activities such as book discussions, film screenings and hands-on STEM workshops will be taking place across the state thanks to Indiana Humanities’ “Frankenstein” grants and partnerships with more than a dozen colleges and universities in Indiana. More info: IndianaHumanities.org/Frankenstein
About One State / One Story: Frankenstein
One State / One Story: Frankenstein is an Indiana Humanities program and has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and in partnership with the Indiana State Library and Indiana Center for the Book. One State / One Story: Frankenstein is part of Indiana Humanities’ two-year Quantum Leap initiative, which encourages Hoosiers to celebrate what happens when we bridge the humanities with STEM.
About Indiana Humanities
Indiana Humanities connects people, opens minds and enriches lives by creating and facilitating programs that encourage Hoosiers to think, read and talk. Indiana Humanities is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities and Lilly Endowment, Inc. Learn more at IndianaHumanities.org.