Drastically minimizing in-person social contact, particularly in large groups, is essential to #flattenthecurve and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus and the COVID-19 disease it causes. This is not just to protect ourselves from the disease but more importantly to support the network effect of limiting the speed of its growth so that it does not overwhelm our health care facilities and resources. For that overriding purpose, here are local STEM-related cancellations, postponements, and closures:
Cancellations
- MIT Spark is cancelled.
- Northeastern Splash is cancelled.
- Boston College Splash is cancelled.
- Framingham State University’s Science on State Street is cancelled.
- FIRST Robotics season is cancelled.
- National Science Teachers Association annual conference is cancelled, and alternatives are being considered.
- SET in the City is cancelled.
- Expeditions to STEM is cancelled.
- Framingham State University Planetarium March 20 show cancelled.
- Mass Audubon has cancelled all programs through March 31.
- New England SciTech has cancelled all workshops, classes, and events through at least March 26.
- Mad Science of North Boston has cancelled all events.
Postponements
- Massachusetts STEM Summit has been postponed.
- You-Do-It Electronics Arduino Day has been postponed.
- Science Club for Girls’ Catalyst Awards Night has been postponed.
- Lincoln Labs’ April 4 Science on Saturday has been postponed, perhaps to October.
- Girls STEM Summit has been postponed until June.
Closures
- Harvard Museum of Natural History is closed indefinitely.
- Boston’s Museum of Science is closed through at least April 3.
- Worcester’s EcoTarium will close through April 6.
- The MIT Museum is closed until further notice.
- New England Aquarium is closed for a minimum of three weeks.
- The Discovery Museum in Acton is closed until March 30.
- Mass Audubon has closed all sanctuaries and trails.