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Slate of Quantum Leap programs announced that combine STEM, humanities

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,…

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, Indiana; 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.  
     
  • 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. 
     
  • Summer, TBD | Quantum Leap Field Trip to the Advanced Visualization Laboratory (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 during this adult field trip.
     
  • Aug. 18 | Quantum Leap Field Trip to New Harmony
    New Harmony, Indiana
    This tiny Indiana town was once the center of the American science community. Adults are invited on this field trip to discover the story. 
     
  • 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. 
     
  • Sept. 15 |  Quantum Leap Field Trip to Purdue
    Purdue Entomology Labs, Lafayette
    We’re buzzing with excitement about this bee-focused adult 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.
     
  • Sept. 24 | INconversation with Kimberly Bryant
    Ivy Tech Community College, Indianapolis
    The founder of Black Girls Code will talk about her journey through Silicon Valley and why it matters who builds our algorithms. 
     
  • 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. 
     
  • 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. 
     
  • Oct. 23 | An Evening with Rebecca Skloot
    Northwood Middle School, 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. 
     
  • 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 free readings and conversations. In Indianapolis, she’ll be joined by Indiana Poet Laureate Adrian Matejka. 
     
  • 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. 
     
  • Bi-weekly | Sound Bites
    Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase, these 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. 
     
  • 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.