The skies of Hartford were alight with peculiar flashes and UFO sightings as the Connecticut Science Center hosted its annual gala on October 5, 2024. This year’s theme, “Close Encounters of the STEM Kind,” set the stage for a night of celebration and recognition, highlighting the achievements of exceptional individuals and groups in the field of STEM.
Each year, the Science Center honors professionals, advocates, businesses, students, and leaders who demonstrate a commitment to inspiring lifelong learning through innovative and interactive scientific experiences. Awardees are selected based on their significant contributions to STEM within the region, their efforts to open STEM careers to diverse audiences, and their impact on STEM education in the community.
Among the distinguished recipients this year is Florian Carle, the Managing Director of the Yale Quantum Institute (YQI). Since joining YQI in 2016, Florian has been dedicated to making quantum science accessible to all through a variety of innovative outreach programs. His efforts span the intersection of science and the humanities, manifested in installations, exhibitions, live shows, music album and videos, as well as web applications.
“The goal of all these events is to spark interest in a topic often perceived as difficult by students and the general public,” says Florian Carle. “I want to change people’s impression of quantum physics. Instead of fearing it and self-selecting out of this fascinating field, I want them to say, ‘Wow, that’s so cool, I want to learn more!’”
Florian also hosts a series of nontechnical talks in collaboration with The Franke Program for Science and the Humanities, and he created and curates the YQI Artist-in-Residence program, which has hosted four artists to date. Serena Scapagnini is the current artist in residence for the 2024-2025 academic year.
For more information on past and upcoming events in the nontechnical talk series and further details about Florian Carle’s initiatives, please visit the Art at YQI website.
