In today's world, science and storytelling have become partners. Together they provide an history of our past, a prediction of our future, and an explainer of what's happening in the world around us right now.

This narrative of science is captured in the 7th Annual World Science Festival, which opens in New York City today.

Festival events include conversations that focus on ways to humanize scientific insights and groundbreaking discoveries; discussions on how to unveil the farthest branches of your family tree; and dialogues about the different ways science and literature collide. And of course the Festival wouldn't be complete without a scaled replica of the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

Joining The Takeaway are Brian Greene, physicist, string theorist and professor at Columbia University and World Science Festival co-founder; and actor, writer, and director Alan Alda. Alda wrote "Dear Albert," a reading for the stage about the life and work of Albert Einstein, being performed tonight with the World Science Festival.

The Takeaway's own John Hockenberry is also participating in the World Science Festival as a panel moderator. Click here for information on event times.