The STEAM Factory space was filled with fun last Friday for the September 9^th Franklinton Friday. The night consisted of many interactive activities for all ages that were engaging and educational. Two different activities and one micro-lecture took place in the space throughout the event. 

Paul Sutter, Astrophysicist and Agent to the Stars, brought virtual stargazing to life with virtual reality goggles. This allowed our guests to sit back and relax while they took a tour of our solar system. Guests of all ages had the chance to see the planets up close and have an Astronomy Q&A. Once the sun set over Franklinton, Sutter brought out a solar telescope to show guests a variety of stars and planets from our own backyard at the STEAM Factory. 

Throughout the night, David Brown, Visiting Scholar, Artist, and Physicist, gave two micro-lectures about his Coupe De Foudre project. Brown discussed the his partnership with Matthew Faulkner on the Coupe De Foudre project, a Tesla coil musical instrument. The project, which took place at Burning Man, is a 7 meter tall sculpture featuring a Tesla coil that shoots 2 meter bolts of lightning, musically modulated by a keyboardist at the base of installation. Festival-goers at Burning Man can admire the sculpture as an art, music, and science piece. In the future, Brown hopes to create new designs of the sculpture using the Tesla coil. 

Overall, Franklinton Friday: Summer Stargazing brought in many guests who were excited and intrigued to interact with all of the fun and engaging activities!