The festival was founded and established by Brian Greene, professor of mathematics and physics at Columbia University and author of several science books (including The Elegant Universe, and The Hidden Reality); and Tracy Day, a four-time National News Emmy Award-winning journalist, who has produced live and documentary programs for the nation's most prominent television news departments.

Venues included the American Museum of Natural History, Abyssinian Baptist Church, and New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at Gould Plaza.

The prestigious World Science Scholars program allows "high school students with exceptional mathematical talent to be mentored by world-renowned scientists and connect both online and in person with an elite group of peers."

Scholars work together on projects, internships, exercises and discussions on topics such as particle physics, computational thinking, astrobiology, and string theory.

Previous World Science Scholars have included Brian Greene, Mandë Holford, Miguel Nicolelis, Stephen Wolfram, Cumrun Vafa, and Suzana Herculano-Houzel.