The Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science and the Ryder Charitable Foundation are excited and proud to host a new two-day festival, NEXT: From Nano to Macro, Innovation at Every Scale. At NEXT, science and techie fans of all ages can learn about how technology is rapidly adapting to accommodate society’s growing demand for “the NEXT big thing.” During the weekend, visitors will discover that innovation is everywhere –from the obvious to the discreet. Activities include the following:

• Explore the journey of new ideas from concept to reality through The NEXT Big Thing Innovation Showcase by University of Miami’s The Launch Pad, and be inspired to create from inventors of a variety of ages and interests.
• Climb in a big “green” truck from Ryder and electric cars from Tesla to learn about the latest technology in sustainable transportation.
• Learn how current technological developments are leading to improvements for individuals and the environment, from better repairs for the human body to more sustainable transportation with the “nano” talk series including prominent innovators, scientists and engineers from Ryder, BioNIUM, and UM’s Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering.
• Dive into the “Maker” movement through two challenges. At the Mutants Maker Challenge, artist and designer Ernesto Oroza demonstrates how to repurpose the old to become new. During the Belly of the Beast Maker Activity, artist Kerry Phillips uses old and found objects to create a new community art project.*
• Become the NEXT “Maker” with the Make Me a Maker activities series for kids led by REM Learning Center South
• Get animated by altering your surroundings through a visually striking projection mapping experience in the planetarium led by Phenomenal Experience Agency.
• Discover how the very small can impact the very big with nano interactives provided by NISE Network’s Nano Days, BioNIUM, and Materials Advantage FIU Chapter.
• Stimulate your musical side with sound demos and activities with Arduino Musical Hopstotch by DCR Arduino Brigade.
• Join The LAB Miami in its weekend long Hackathon Challenge with an app showcase on Sunday at 1pm.  Pre-selected programming teams will have 24 hours to complete the challenge! (The public is welcome to attend the brainstorming kick-off event on Friday, April 4th at the Museum.)
• Design your own app at The App Challenge Workshop by TECKpert.
• Learn the basics of coding with a special Coderdojo workshop on Sunday from 2pm-5pm.  The workshop is free, but advanced RSVP is required.  More information can be found here.

*NOTE: We encourage visitors to bring in objects for the Mutants Maker Challenge and Belly of the Beast Maker Activity.  More details to come soon!

The event schedule to come soon, so check back regularly!

For more information about the Ryder Charitable Foundation, please click here.