Festival of Science

MIT's John Durant runs the Cambridge Science Festival and "sweeps people up with enthusiasm and idealistic vigor," The New York Times reports. Durant began as a science history professor, but liked teaching continuing education classes more, and now directs the MIT Museum. The Cambridge Science Festival first took place in 2007, and it aims to bring science to the public, mostly through free events. The Cambridge event also serves as a model for other festivals across the US. The Times adds that Durant is expanding the scope of his festival to reach across Massachusetts. "It's important that we don't only celebrate science where it's already flourishing," he says.