Through public discourse about provocative scientific questions, Wonderfest aspires to challenge unexamined beliefs, stimulate curiosity, promote careful reasoning, and encourage life-long learning. Wonderfest achieves these ends by presenting series of scientific events to the general public. At most of these events, pairs of articulate and accomplished researchers debate compelling questions at the edge of scientific understanding. High school science faculty serve as discussion moderators, and student volunteers offer assistance at each venue.
Controversy heightens interest.
Intellectual confrontation, like sports competition, inspires enthusiasm and promotes excellence. The scientific endeavor has universal appeal. Every inquisitive person, regardless of culture or gender or income, is improved by the intellectual challenge and reward that science offers. Wonderfest events are suitable for students in high school, in college, in the school of hard knocks, and in retirement communities. The rational investigation of our world is the grandest human adventure, with the most significant long-term implications imaginable.