Doctor Geek is coming to the South Florida Museum for a one-day event exploring scientific progress through history and into the future. Doctor Geek’s Science Fair will be the first live in-person event for the star of Doctor Geek’s Laboratory of Applied Geekdom, a STEM-focused podcast dedicated to scientific education and wonder, and the South Florida Museum is transforming its grounds for a full scientific expo with panelists, games and special presentations.

“The more we talked about it, the more we realized that the museum was perfectly designed to have this great conversation about man’s technology in the past, present and future,” said Samantha Sprague, curator of education for the South Florida Museum. “Together we built this collaborative science fair as a celebration of how not just the technology of the past, but also the science fiction, brought us to where we are today.”

Guests can begin with Doctor Geek’s Welcome Show, an orientation of sorts laying out the themes and opportunities of the day, before moving to one of the fair’s several panels featuring visiting scientists and experts from NASA, Bright House Networks, The Orlando Ghostbusters and USF Robotics Interest groups. With names like “Exploring the Future,” “The Science of Fiction” and “The Science of Applied Geekdom,” guests can attend assured of a fun time, with a focus on engagement, not lecturing.

Continuing in that vein and that spirit dictates the day’s activities, with shows such as “Perfect Little Planet” and “Passport to the Universe” showing throughout the day in SFM’s freshly revamped planetarium, with entrance included in admission for the day, and the inaugural Applied Geekdom competition “The Geek Games.”

Open to students aged 6-16, “The Geek Games” pits contestants and teams against each other and against the cold physics of space in multiple competitions, including two from NASA. “Touchdown on the Red Planet” challenges students to properly engineer and design their own Mars Rover and explore the planet, while “Roving on the Moon” asks participants to orchestrate their own moon landing. Registration for the Games is required and can be done at the door, but space is limited so calling ahead is recommended.

But Doctor Geek and the planetarium aside, the event promises even more stars, as "H.G. Wells" and his time machine are slated to make an appearance alongside friend and author "Jules Verne," to lead a tour through the history of technological progress and imagination. Guests can explore archaeology and geology with Wells and Verne as they conduct research for Journey to the Centre of the Earth, or step into the Nautilus (the newly transformed SFM board room) to explore the oceans or trek upstairs to learn about man’s mastery of the planet and Around the World in 80 Days.

“Everybody has a vision and has ideas and we are where we are today in the modern world because of that,” said Sprague. “In that way, Jules Verne is a great tour guide to show us that science fiction can become science fact.”

A representative from D&B Comics will also be on hand throughout the day, talking about the importance of science fiction and challenging attendees to try their hand at creating their own comic book science fiction world full of imagined technology and places.

Doctor Geek’s Science Fair begins Saturday, Sept. 27 at 10am at the South Florida Museum and ends at 7pm that evening. General Admission is $10 and Priority Access (guarantees panel and special Planetarium presentation seating) is $10 in advance or $15 at the door. 

Sarasota’s Artisan Cheese Company has a way with curds, offering hand-cut artisanal and farmstead cheeses from both domestic and European standbys. Owners Parker and Louise Converse readily rouse olfactory senses with their finely curated collection of fragrant fromage. “Cheese Louise” also personally selects larder goods made by small-batch artisans from across the country. “There’s a lot more than just whim and fancy,” notes Louise. "Everything harkens back to the cheese."

Customers in a jiffy can swing by and grab wholesome, unadulterated staples like Ooma Tesoros’s Marinara Sauce or NYC Sfoglini Everything Bagel Pasta. Artisan Cheese Company invites both blooming and expert turophiles to rub shoulders with other cheese enthusiasts during biweekly cheese classes, exploring a wildly diverse world of wedges and wines. Drop by their shop on South Main Street to try a cheese or to restock your pantry with on-the-go goods for an utterly delicious dinner. 

Artisan Cheese Company, 1310 Main Street

Artisan Cheese Company

Moved From: Frederick, Maryland with a three-month stop in Kissimee. My Profession There: Area Manager, Restaurant Operations. Friday Nights There:  Spending time with friends and enjoying the city.

Why I Moved: I relocated to Florida for work but stayed for the sunshine. Now I Am: A Realtor with RE/MAX Platinum Realty. Friday Nights Now: Friends and sunsets at the gorgeous area beaches.

First Impressions:  Love the area, love the people. There is so much to see and do. Biggest Potential Community Mistake:  [Fail to meet] the need for continued community development and infrastructure; build for future traffic and minimize congestion. My Vision: I desire to become a leading Realtor in the area, assisting folks in finding a home where they can live and be happy while enjoying what the Sarasota area has to offer. 

RE/MAX Platinum Realty

Realtor Nancy Jones joined RE/MAX Alliance Group in the Anna Maria Island office. She has been a real estate professional for 11 years, working previously with Leslie Wells Realty. An area resident for 30 years, Jones has extensive knowledge of the local market and market conditions. Her commitment to the belief that "customer service is utmost" has earned her the Five Star Real Estate Agent award in 2013, and she is working towards the Certified International Property Specialist designation.

RE/MAX Alliance Group

Cortez Heating and Air Conditioning hired John McDermott to be its commercial sales consultant and advisor, responsible for existing commercial accounts and new business development. McDermott owned a heating and air conditioning company from 2000 to 2009.  In 2009, he sold his company to HARP Mechanical and then worked for them for five years. 

Cortez Heating and Air Conditioning