The Fourth Annual Arizona SciTech Festival is promoting science and technology through March 31 with more than 800 free events planned in 45 communities.
The festival is a collection of events focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math, otherwise known as STEAM. The intent is to spark children’s interest in the sciences and educate adults about new developments in technology.
More than 450 organizations contribute to the festival, and new communities have joined this year, including Graham County, City of Maricopa, Sierra Vista, Tucson and Marana. New events range from health fairs to salsa festivals.
“The festival is a great way to showcase not only what we do but also what so many places in the state are doing,” said Shandey Cuzzetto, marketing assistant for Children’s Museum Tucson, which is contributing to the festival for the first time this year. “The museum works hard to get children involved in math and science in daily life.”
Graham County, which is also contributing to the festival for the first time this year, is hosting the Gila Valley Health, Safety and Science Festival in Safford on Feb. 27 and 28. Beginning at 7 a.m., their health festival is offering free blood draws before noon, and includes a comprehensive lab report with information concerning one’s heart health and cancer risks.
Sierra Vista, another first time contributor, is hosting a Microscopic Look at Plants and Animals in the Lake on Feb. 27 at the Patagonia Lake State Park Visitors Center. The event, sponsored by Arizona State Parks, is using tools to examine water in the Patagonia Lake while educating attendees on living organisms and chemicals in the water.
The festival’s key contributors are the Arizona Commerce Authority, the Arizona Technology Council Foundation, Arizona Board of Regents, Arizona Science Center, the University of Arizona and Arizona State University. The festival is largely free for the public.
To find out more about the festival and see a complete list of all Arizona SciTech Festival events, click here. For 2015 event highlights, follow this link.
Brianna Holm is a reporter for Arizona Sonora News, a service from the School of Journalism with the University of Arizona. Contact her at briannamholm@email.arizona.edu.
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