All events

Time: 6:00 PMLocation: Cambridge, MA

Join us for coffee, delicious bakery items and to help us to creates the large holiday wreaths that hang at the entrance to 77 Mass Ave.Let's decorate MIT for the holidays! Every year, the Women's League creates the large holiday wreaths that hang at the entrance to 77 Mass Ave. We provide the greenery, the glitter, the ribbons and the guidance - just come along and help out as we get into the holiday spirit. RSVP to let us know you're coming.Drop in any time and stay as long as you like!Thank you to our co-sponsors, the International Scholars Office.This event is open the MIT Community only.

On view October 1 -- December 11, 2025This exhibition draws on archival materials from the Aga Khan Documentation Center at MIT (AKDC) to explore a century of cultural heritage preservation in Aleppo, Syria. It takes as its point of departure the work of Kamil al-Ghazzi (1853–1933), the pioneering Aleppine historian whose influential three-volume chronicle, Nahr al-Dhahab fī Tārīkh Ḥalab (The River of Gold in the History of Aleppo), was published between 1924 and 1926.Ink, Stone, and Silver Light presents three modes of documentation—manuscript, built form, and photography—through which Aleppo’s urban memory has been recorded and preserved. Featuring figures such as Michel Écochard and Yasser Tabbaa alongside al-Ghazzi, the exhibition traces overlapping efforts to capture the spirit of a city shaped by commerce, craft, and coexistence. At a time when Syria again confronts upheaval and displacement, these archival fragments offer models for preserving the past while envisioning futures rooted in dignity, knowledge, and place.

The irony of artificial intelligence is that it often reveals more about human intelligence than machines themselves.From AI in the home to robots in the workplace, the presence of AI all around us compels us to question its potential and recognize the risks. What has become clear is that the more we advance AI technology and consider machine ability versus human ability, the more we need to mind the gap.Researchers at MIT have been at the forefront of this evolving field. The work presented in this exhibition builds on the pioneering contributions of figures such as Claude Shannon and Seymour Papert, while highlighting contemporary research that spans computer science, mechanical engineering, neuroscience, and the social sciences.As research probes the connections between human and machine intelligence, it also underscores the profound differences. With AI now embedded in everyday life — from smart assistants in our homes to robots in the workplace — we are challenged to ask critical questions about its potential, its risks, and the boundaries between machine ability and human capability.Join us in shining light on the tremendous promise, unforeseen impacts, and everyday misconceptions of AI in this riveting, interactive exhibition.Learn more about the exhibition.

Imagine different worlds in Cosmograph: Speculative Fictions for the New Space Age, an exhibition that brings art and science together to examine possible futures where outer space is both a frontier for human exploration and a new territory for exploitation and development by private enterprise.We are living at the dawn of a New Space Age. What will the future hold? Will space elevators bring humanity's space junk to turn it into useful material here on Earth? Will asteroid mining be the next frontier in prospecting? Will the promise of geo-engineering turn into a nightmare of unintended consequences?Explore these possibilities and more in our new exhibition that blurs the lines between fact and fantasy, and art and science.

MIT is not a place so much as it is a unique collection of exceptional people.What is essential at MIT is asking questions others may not ask, trying the unexpected in pursuit of a greater solution, and embracing distinctive skills and combinations of talents. Whether encompassing global issues, ventures into space, or efforts to improve our daily lives, stories told in this exhibit showcase the process of discovery that sits at the heart of MIT.Delve into the experimental culture and collaborative spirit of the MIT community in this dynamic and interactive exploration of groundbreaking projects and ongoing innovation."MIT’s greatest invention may be itself—an unusual concentration of unusual talent, forever reinventing itself on a mission to make a better world." — President L. Rafael ReifLocated in the Brit J. (1961) and Alex (1949) d'Arbeloff GallerySupported by the Biogen Foundation

How can code be used as a creative tool by artists and designers?This question motivates the work of the Future Sketches group at the MIT Media Lab. Led by artist and educator Zach Lieberman, the group aims to help us “see” code by using it to make artistically controlled, computer-generated visuals.Explore some of the latest research from the group that uses typography and digital tools to create interactive, creative, and immersive work.Located in our Martin J. (1959) and Eleanor C. Gruber Gallery.

Experience the captivating work of Arthur Ganson, where his perceptions of the world are choreographed into the subtle movements and gestures of his artistic machines."These machines are daydreams condensed into physical form, computer programs manifesting in three-dimensional space." - Arthur GansonArthur Ganson's medium is a feeling or idea inspired by the world he perceives around him – from the delicate fluttering of paper to the sheer scale of the universe. Combining engineering genius with whimsical choreography, he creates machines to encode those ideas into the physical world. But he invites everyone to draw their own conclusions on the meaning behind the subtle gestures of the machines.Currently on display are a select group of Arthur Ganson's works from our MIT Museum Collection. We expect to exhibit his work in large numbers in the future.

MIT Collects features objects and other media from the museum's vast collection, arranged in areas that tell stories, explore themes, and dive into subject areas.Modeling Everything:Models and model-making, both the objects and the action, are vital to every research area at MIT and to the life of the Institute itself. Explore a wide array of models for teaching, discovery, research, and documentation, from ships to crystal structures to architectural design.Radical Atoms:Hiroshi Ishii and the Tangible Media Group at the MIT Media Lab have pioneered new ways for people to interact with computers, with the invention of the “tangible user interface.” It began with a vision of “Tangible Bits,” where users can manipulate ordinary physical objects to access digital information. It evolved into a bolder vision of “Radical Atoms,” where materials can change form and reconfigure themselves just as pixels can on a screen.This experimental exhibit of three iconic works—SandScape, inFORM, and TRANSFORM—is part of the MIT Museum’s ongoing efforts to collect the physical machines as well as preserve the user experience of, in Ishii’s words, making atoms dance.A Sequence of Actions:Developed and operated at MIT, the Differential Analyzer, Whirlwind Computer, and Apollo Guidance Computer were massive and complex projects that involved thousands of people. See historical components and artifacts from this critical era in programming during the mid-20th century and explore how these early programmers influenced today’s digital culture.Technology and the Dream:Through recordings of students, staff, researchers, and community members, listen to personal reflections and gain a sense of the Black experience at MIT. This dynamic audio installation is co-curated with the MIT Black History Project.Totally Useless Things:Toys, puzzles, and play are a significant part of the creative process. Playful activity can shape a research agenda or an entire discipline. Extracurricular play — like MIT's famous hacks — enhances creativity and community. And play itself is a rich field for scientific research. Jump in and learn how curiosity is the fuel that discovery runs on.Located in the Edward O. Thorp Gallery

How can you investigate something you cannot see?The challenge of understanding the unknown motivates scientists today, just as it has inspired curious people for centuries.Using material from the Allen Forbes Collection, this exhibit traces the scientific process of observing, measuring, and describing that turned whales from monsters into mammals.Using prints from the sixteenth through the nineteenth centuries, Monsters of the Deep examines how European knowledge about the creatures of the sea was informed by new information from sailors, scholars, and beachcombers, and how that knowledge transformed what people understood about the natural world.Want a closer look at what we have on view? You can explore digitized versions of exhibition objects here.On view through January 2026.

Hiroshi Ishii and the Tangible Media Group at the MIT Media Lab have pioneered new ways for people to interact with computers, with the invention of the “tangible user interface.”It began with a vision of "Tangible Bits," where users can manipulate ordinary physical objects to access digital information. It evolved into a bolder vision of "Radical Atoms," where materials can change form and reconfigure themselves just as pixels can on a screen. This experimental exhibit of three iconic works — SandScape, inFORM, and TRANSFORM — is part of the MIT Museum's ongoing efforts to collect the physical machines as well as preserve the user experience of, in Ishii's words, making atoms dance.Learn more about the exhibits here, or watch the YouTube video of Hiroshi Ishii's talk at the MIT Museum below.This is an ongoing exhibition in our MIT Collects exhibition.

Janet Echelman's Remembering the Future widens our perspective in time, giving sculptural form to the history of the Earth's climate from the last ice age to the present moment, and then branching out to visualize multiple potential futures.Constructed from colored twines and ropes that are braided, knotted and hand-spliced to create a three-dimensional form, the immersive artwork greets you with its grand scale presiding over the MIT Museum lobby.This large-scale installation by 2022-2024 MIT Distinguished Visiting Artist Janet Echelman, was developed during her residency at the MIT Center for Art, Science & Technology (CAST). Architect, engineer and MIT Associate Professor Caitlin Mueller collaborated on the development of the piece.The title, Remembering the Future was inspired by the writings commonly attributed to Søren Kierkegaard: "The most painful state of being is remembering the future, particularly the one you'll never have."As the culmination of three years of dedicated research and collaboration, this site-specific installation explores Earth's climate timeline, translating historical records and possible futures into sculptural form.Echelman's climate research for this project was guided by Professor Raffaele Ferrari and the MIT Lorenz Center, creators of En-ROADS simulator which uses current climate data and modeling to visualize the impact of environmental policies and actions on energy systems.Learn more about Janet Echelman and the MIT Museum x CAST Collaboration.Learn more about the exhibition at the MIT Museum.

Speaker: Fabian Theis (Helmholtz Munich)On Zoom at https://mit.zoom.us/j/93513735220

Spring Ahead with SHASS invites MIT students to learn more about HASS requirements and creating a humanities major, minor, or concentration. The event is being held Wednesday, December 3 at 11:30 am in the Bush Room (10-105). Refreshments will be served.

ORSEL presents concerts each month, holding space in the Chapel for stillness and reflection. Drop in anytime and enjoy tasty mORSELs after each concert!UPCOMING:Valerie K Chen, cello: Midday Contemplation (Nov 5)Join EECS PhD student Valerie K. Chen for a midday contemplation of resilience, reconciliation, and compassion through the voice of the solo cello.Christine Southworth: Snowflake Sonification (December 3)PAST:Evan Ziporyn: More Sonic Holograms (October 1)Evan Ziporyn, Kenan Sahin Distinguished Professor of Music at MIT & Faculty Director of MIT CAST, weaves live clarinet, bass clarinet, wind synth, effects boxes and loop pedals into a multidimensional, immersive and meditative auditory journey.

Ten minutes for your mind@2:50 every day at 2:50 pm in multiple time zones:Europa@2:50, EET, Athens, Helsinki (UTC+2) (7:50 am EST) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88298032734Atlantica@2:50, EST, New York, Toronto (UTC-4) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85349851047Pacifica@2:50, PST, Los Angeles, Vancouver (UTC=7) (5:50 pm EST) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85743543699Almost everything works better again if you unplug it for a bit, including your mind. Stop by and unplug. Get the benefits of mindfulness without the fuss.@2:50 meets at the same time every single day for ten minutes of quiet together.No pre-requisite, no registration needed.Visit the website to view all @2:50 time zones each day.at250.org or at250.mit.edu

Speaker: Joel Kamnitzer (McGill University)

TBD

Book Signing: Tom Frieden, The Formula for Better HealthJoin a drop-in book signing with Dr. Tom Frieden, author of The Formula for Better Health (MIT Press, 2025) at the MIT Press Bookstore on Wednesday, December 3 between 4:30pm and 5:30pm.In The Formula for Better Health, Frieden—named “the most influential leader in American public health since C. Everett Koop” by former Mayor Michael Bloomberg—reveals how to defeat the world’s deadliest diseases.Drawing from decades leading New York City’s health department after 9/11, directing the CDC during the Ebola epidemic, and fighting tuberculosis and other lethal threats in India and around the world, Frieden combines compelling stories with insider knowledge to show you how to win the battle for health.Copies of The Formula for Better Health will be available for purchase at the event.More information about this new MIT Press book: https://theformulaforbetterhealth.net/Featured in Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Science Friday, Bloomberg, Fortune, PBS NewsHour, Le Monde, the Next Big Idea Club, New York magazine’s the Intelligencer, NPR Open to Debate, and more.“Compelling … powerful and memorable … touching … refreshing …enough to pep up the most hard-bitten cynic …Hope is what The Formula For Better Health is best at giving us with its message that public health still has a place – and an important one – in creating a better world… Exactly what is needed at this moment in time.” —The Lancet“Clear solutions for today’s deadliest health threats." —Elizabeth Kolbert, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for The Sixth Extinction"The Formula for Better Health provides unique, critical insight into stopping epidemics and preventing deadly diseases from one of the most successful health leaders in a generation.” —Anthony S. Fauci, MD, Former Chief Medical Advisor to the President of United States; author of New York Times #1 best-selling memoir On Call: A Doctor’s Journey in Public Service“A superb book. Read it! The life you save might be your own.” —Cass R. Sunstein, author of Climate Justice and Nudge“A masterclass in improving health at scale. Frieden transforms decades of global experience into actionable insights to protect and improve your health and that of your family, community, our nation and our world.” —Helene Gayle, MD, President Emerita, Spelman College and former President and CEO of the international organization CARE“Based on a masterful distillation of global health victories, Dr. Frieden reveals critical personal and community steps for longer, healthier lives.” —Bill Frist, MD, former United States Senate Majority Leader and co-chair of the Future of Health Advisory Board at the Bipartisan Policy Center“Tom Frieden is the most effective health messenger there is. His book, The Formula for Better Health is succinct, specific, and powerful.” —Dr. Frank Luntz, Political Commentator, Analyst, and Pollster"A powerful guide to better health from one of the world's leading health experts. As we face today's urgent threats, Tom Frieden offers a path forward with trademark clarity and wisdom.” —Vivek Murthy, MD, former Surgeon General of the United States and author of the New York Times Bestseller Together: The Healing Power of Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World

Presented by Judith Miller Professor, Department of French Literature, Thought and Culture, New York UniversityAbstract: With its many languages and cultures, the African continent has always had a plethora of vibrant theatrical traditions, of rituals that can be understood as dramatic, of artists who embody characters -- including those from the spirit world. Within this expressive landscape, there is also now what we might call a rich and fraught tradition of theatre in French. As early as the 1930s, young African writers and intellectuals, prompted by their colonial schoolmasters, began producing works inspired by French classics, but already inflected by African expressive forms. Today, in 2025, Professor Sylvie Chalaye, of the University of Paris III, and the foremost authority on Francophone African theatre, has catalogued several hundred plays written in French and staged both in France and in the fourteen countries that comprise what were once French colonial “possessions” in Africa -- as well as in the former Belgian colonies of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi. For many years, Judith Miller has been teaching these works, staging them with students, and translating them -- always with the goal of making known to US-based readers and audiences the extraordinary breadth of experiences, political positions, and corrosive humor fundamental to Francophone African theatre. In her recent anthology, Contemporary Francophone African Plays: An Anthology (Bucknell University Press, 2024), she has gathered plays ranging from pungent satires of colonization (such as Bernard Dadié’s Beatrice of the Congo and Sony Labou Tansi’s I, The Undersigned, Cardiac Case) to spoken-word performance pieces tracing African identity in the diaspora (for example, Koffi Kwahulé’s SAMO: A Tribute to Basquiat and Penda Diouf’s Tracks, Trails, and Traces.) For her participation in MIT’s French and Francophone Studies Colloquium, she will discuss the exemplary nature of these plays and engage with what is still fraught in the “universe” of French-language African theatre. She will also share what have been the major challenges she has faced in translating these works for the American stage.Bio: Judith Graves Miller is a translator and researcher of French and Francophone theatre. She has retired twice: once from a long career at The University of Wisconsin-Madison and then from a long career at New York University, where she also served as Dean of Arts and Humanities at New York University Abu Dhabi. She has written numerous books and articles on theatrical texts and productions, translated some forty plays and other texts, and directed many plays in French with her students. Her most recent work includes an anthology of Francophone African plays (Contemporary Francophone African Plays: An Anthology, Bucknell, 2024); a translation of Sylvie Chalaye’s Race et Théâtre: un impensé politique(Race and Theatre in France, Liverpool, 2025), and a translation of and commentary on Haitian author, Guy Régis Jr’s play Les Cinq Fois où j’ai vu mon père (The Five Times I Saw My Father, (Yale) Theater, forthcoming, 2026.)

On Wednesday nights you are invited to come to The Table for peaceful Christian worship in the Chapel at 5:15 pm and dinner in the Main Dining Room of W11 at around 6:30 pm.We worship with beautiful songs, open conversation about the Scriptures, prayers and a simple sharing of communion around the altar. Then we enjoy dinner together and good company together. Whether you come every week or just drop by once in a while, there is a caring community for you at the Table.You are truly welcome to come as you are: undergrad, grad, or post-doc; sure of your faith or wondering what it is all about; gay, straight, bi, trans, questioning. Please join us for no-pressure worship and fellowship.Hosted by the Lutheran Epsicopal Ministry @ MIT. For more information, or to verify gathering times during holiday and vacation periods, please contact chaplains Andrew Heisen (heisen@mit.edu) and Kevin Vetiac (kvet246@mit.edu).Please note that we will not meet during the week of Thanksgiving nor between Christmas and New Year's Day. Please see our website (le-ministry.mit.edu) for updates on meeting times and locations as well as additional details.

Come join the MIT Women’s Chorale as we experience the joy of making music together! New singers from throughout the MIT community are welcome on Wednesdays evenings, beginning on September 10, from 7 to 9 pm in Building 4 as we practice for our December concert.The Chorale, a concert choir focused on music for treble voice, is led by our talented music director, Nhung Truong, who makes each rehearsal a pleasure.We ask that prospective singers contact us at mitwc@mit.edu to register with us and be placed on an e mail list to receive necessary information. Further details are available on our website.https://web.mit.edu/womensleague/womenschorale/

Time: 8:00 PMLocation: Boston, MA

Time: 5:00 PM ET (2:00 PM PT)Location: Claremont, CA

Come enjoy a fun evening with the MIT Jazz AMP Ensemble. The band will be performing music by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Chick Corea and Charlie Parker - three of the great composers of our time - all arranged by members of the ensemble.