Lots of free events at 2014 Arizona SciTech Festival in February/March

Now in its 3rd year the Arizona SciTech Festival has been organizing hundreds of free activities for children and adults all over the state. I’ve attended a few events down here in Southern Arizona, focusing on science experiments, outer space, creative innovations in science technology engineering and math (STEM).

The Arizona SciTech Festival is a state-wide celebration of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM or STEAM when you include the arts) held annually in February and March. Through a series of over 200 expos, workshops, conversations, exhibitions and tours held in diverse neighborhoods throughout the state, the Arizona SciTech Festival excites and informs Arizonans from ages 3 to 103 about how STEM will drive our state for next 100 years. Spearheaded by Arizona Science Center, the Arizona Technology Council Foundation, Arizona Commerce Authority, the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, the Arizona SciTech Festival is a grass roots collaboration of over 350 organizations in industry, academia, arts, civic, community and K-12.

For a list of ongoing and future activities in Pima County, go to their website, www.azscitechfest.org or click here.

You can also download the full event schedule or locate a colorful guide (with gecko design) at the Pima County public libraries or Bookman’s stores. Pima County activities are highlighted in blue. And here’s the list of science activities at the Pima County libraries (click here), including Science Saturdays and Hands on Science activities.

Enjoy this Sci-Tech Festival.

Lots of bugs at 3rd Annual Arizona Insect Festival 2013

Sunday Sept. 15, 11 to 4 p.m.
U of Arizona
Student Union Grand ballroom, 3rd floor

Bugs bugs bugs and a lot more at this fun festival, being your chance to find out the importance of insects in our lives.

www.Arizonainsectfestival.com:

Each year the University of Arizona’s Department of Entomology hosts the Arizona Insect Festival. This event takes place in September, when thousands of visitors learn about the importance of insects in our lives and discover insect-based research taking place at the UA. This year the festival will be Sunday, September 15 from 11am to 4pm in the Student Union on the UA campus.

Insects play unique and diverse roles in maintaining healthy ecosystems (such as litter decomposition), enhancing crop productivity, pollinating native plants, spreading disease and impacting our urban environments. Come and learn about these roles and more!

The festival will highlight insect-related research conducted by UA scientists from a wide range of academic departments including Entomology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Neurobiology. Together these researchers make up one of the largest and most important groups of insect scientists in the world.

Last year I started thinking about all the insects in our lives and the list is very long: ants, cicadas, butterflies, cockroaches (my favorite having grown up in Hawaii with lots of those creatures), crickets, flies, moths, bees & wasps, butterflies, beetles, mosquitoes, locusts, termites, dragonflies, praying mantises, fleas, ticks, etc. I bet there’s a lot more to be seen at this Insect Festival!

Free Magic of Science night at Valley of the Moon

Magic of Science at the Valley of the Moon

The Physics Factory and friends will be bringing science to the Valley of the Moon for one night only. Liquid Nitrogen, Fire Tornados, Lasers! Explore the winding paths under the fairy lights and be amazed by science!

This free event will be on Saturday, September 7 from 6 pm to 9 pm.
“Donations are graciously accepted and always appreciated”.

Valley of the Moon is at 2544 E. Allen Road (north of Prince Road, east of Tucson Blvd.)
Phone: 520-323-1331, Info: valleymoon1@yahoo.com.

Valley of the Moon is a unique area built by George Phar Legler in the 1920s for the purpose of appealing to the magical imagination of children and of bringing mental and spiritual relaxation for visitors to the site. Mineralized rock cliffs, caves, pools, and garden miniatures have blended with tropic and desert flora to create what Mr. Legler called the “Fantasy Touch of Three” (Lewis Carroll, Edgar Allen Poe, and Robert Louis Stevenson).

Enjoy this fun evening and learn more about science and the new acronym STEM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Math).

Photo above courtesy of blogger Charlie Spillar.

Free Arizona SciTech Festival Kick off conference on September 4

Arizona SciTech Festival Kickoff Conference
Sep 4,2013 7:30 am – Sep 4,2013 6:15 pm
Scottsdale Center for the Arts
7380 E. Second St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Growing on last year’s inaugural event, the 2014 Kickoff Conference features the following:
– Keynote presentation by Skylab Astronaut Ed Gibson and Geoff Notkin, TV’s Meteorite Man
– 16 thought provoking panel discussions with over 80 panelists
– Networking breakfast and closing reception
– Full day of programming (morning and afternoon options available)

Over 600 participants have registered so far. Register online here – for free:

https://www.eventinterface.com/registration?eventid=aHltdDRwZA%3D%3D&refer=bay173.mail.live.com/mail/

“Meterorite Man” Geoff Notkin writes a blogsite here at Tucsoncitizen.com, entitled “The Logical Lizard”.

Be smart & attend Climate Smart Southwest conference on September 20 & 21

For immediate release below. I did blog aqbout this upcoming conference in March, but here’s updated information about the presenters:

With the Southwest sizzling and record-breaking temperatures expected to climb ever higher, Physicians for Social Responsibility and 40 other local and national businesses, organizations and local government are convening the region’s first community-based conference to develop strategies to build resilience to the health impacts of climate change.

Dr. Eric Klinenberg, author of the best-selling book Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago will kick off this event with a free public talk from 7 to 8 pm on Friday, September 20 at the TEP Unisource Building Conference Room, 88 E. Broadway in Tucson.

A full-day conference follows on Saturday, September 21 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm at the Tucson Convention Center. During the morning segment of the conference, nationally and internationally known experts will speak about climate change impacts specific to the Desert Southwest Region, human health risks of climate change, and climate adaption guidelines. A panel of experts will discuss cross -border issues related to climate change.

Guest speakers include keynoter Dr. Kristi Ebi, Dept. of Medicine, Stanford University; Dr. Gregg Garfin, UA School of Natural Resources and the Environment; Dr. Heidi Brown, Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, UA College of Public Health; and Dr. George Luber, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Margaret Wilder will lead a discussion panel on cross-cultural, cross-border issues that includes Dr. Irasema, Coronado of the (North American) Commission for Environmental Cooperation; Dr. Francisco Lara-Valencia, ASU; and Dr. Rolando Diaz, Colegio de Sonora in Mexico.

Rose Braz from the Center for Biological Diversity and Will Gartshore from the World Wildlife Fund will give a special lunch workshop on political action for climate change. U.S. Congressman Raul Grijalva and Pima County Supervisor Richard Elias will also discuss effective political strategies.

The afternoon session, “From Knowledge to Action,” will include resource and adaptation strategy-building workshops on health services preparedness, mental and spiritual health, food security, climate change education for children and teachers, cross border and cross cultural concerns, and engaging vulnerable communities and neighborhoods. A final special discussion will be held on Native American engagement for action on climate change.

Registration is $35 ($15 for current students) and includes a free buffet lunch and free on-site parking at the TCC. Space is limited and advance RSVP (for Friday) and registration for the conference on Saturday is highly recommended.

To register and for more information visit the event website at: www.psr.org/azclimate.
Contact info: Barbara Warren, Physicians for Social Responsibility, 520.250.1075 (cell), bwarre01@gmail.com.
Melisa Doran Cole , 520-610-0287, mdorancole@gmail.com , to schedule Press Room interviews with conference speakers.

Tucson Science in the City

On February 16, 2013 downtown Tucson will be the place to be for the 2nd Annual Tucson Science In The City festival, a Signature event of the statewide Arizona SCITECH festival.

Experience Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) events and activities for everyone.

10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Get engaged in the Science In The City Family SCIFest with hands-on activities for children of all ages.

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Checkout the Tech in Tucson Showcase and and the Technology and Innovation Forum for adults, high school, and college students. You will learn about Tucson’s technology industries and their contribution to the Tucson economy, technology development at the University of Arizona, STEM careers and education opportunities, and lots more.

Mark your calendar today. You won’t want to miss these engaging and educational events!

The 2nd Annual
Science In The City Family SCIFest

10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Children’s Museum Tucson in downtownTucson (200 S. 6th Ave.)
Free Admission

Pre-K12 children will see fascinating demonstrations and experience exciting hands-on STEM activities that will stimulate interest in science and math. Families will discover some of Tucson’s many innovative K-12 STEM student projects and school and community programs. The Pima County Joint Technical Education District and many Tucson Schools will be there along with the University of Arizona, the Children’s Museum Tucson, the Mathematics Road Show, the Southern Arizona Rocketry Association, and many more.

Arizona Technology Council
Tech In Tucson
Showcase and Innovation Forum

Tucson scientists and innovators in industry and the University Of Arizona are at the cutting edge of global Science and Technology. They are growing the Tucson economy and creating exciting and high paying jobs.

These amazing industry professionals, engineers, educators, scientists, and even college students are engaged in the development of some of the greatest advancements in science and technology such as new space exploration missions; creating new energy sources; developing new food supplies to feed the hungry; inventing new fuel efficient cars; engineering tiny nano technologies used in electronics, medical devices, and even stain resistant clothing; designing video games or the next generation Internet; developing new technologies to protect the environment; working to prevent and treat disease and more.

Careers in these industries require significant skills in math and science. Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) education provides students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills to prepare them for science and technology careers.

Tech in Tucson Showcase

1:00 – 4:00 pm
Tucson Electric Power Headquarters in downtown Tucson (88 E. Broadway)

The Showcase will feature exhibitors representing industry, education and community organizations. They will showcase their research, technology innovations, or education programs and resources. Adults, high school and college students will meet amazing Tucson scientists, educators, engineers, and other professionals from industry and the University of Arizona working at the at the cutting edge of science, technology and industry. You will see some of the latest and greatest innovations in Optics, Information Technology, Biosciences, Aerospace and Defense, Electronics and Semiconductors, Environmental Technology/Alternative Energy, and more being developed in Tucson.

You will also learn about science and technology careers and meet representatives from education and community organizations showcasing STEM education programs and resources and talking with you about what STEM education is and why it is important for our children and the Tucson economy.

As they say on TV, wait, there is more. You will also get connected to technology industry organizations such as the Arizona Optics Industry Association, the Arizona Technology Council, the Bio Industry Organization of Southern Arizona, the Arizona Nanotechnology Cluster, and the Arizona SCITECH Festival.

Forum – Technology Innovation and
Economic Development In Southern Arizona

2:00 – 3:00 pm
At the Tech in Tucson Showcase

Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild and Congressman Ron Barber will headline this Forum on technology innovation and economic development in Southern Arizona. They will be joined by CEO’s from innovative Tucson companies and a representative from the University of Arizona to share with you how science, technology and innovation creates high paying jobs and drives economic development in southern Arizona.

More Info: http://azscitechfest.org/events/tucson-science-city. My previous post announcing this state-wide SCITECH festival and events in Pima County through March 16 at various locations, click here.

2013 Arizona SciTech Festival

This festival started up state-wide last year, and is continuing at various venues here in Pima County. For ongoing list of local events, click here. Website for more information is www.azscitechfest.org.

And for events at Pima County public libraries, click here for schedule from Feb. 6 to March 16: http://www.library.pima.gov/about/news/?id=3841

The Arizona SciTech Festival is a state-wide celebration of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM or STEAM when you include the arts) held annually in February and March. Through a series of over 200 expos, workshops, conversations, exhibitions and tours held in diverse neighborhoods throughout the state, the Arizona SciTech Festival excites and informs Arizonans from ages 3 to 103 how STEM will drive our state for next 100 years. Spearheaded by Arizona Science Center, the Arizona Technology Council Foundation, Arizona Commerce Authority, the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, the Arizona SciTech Festival is a grass roots collaboration of over 350 organizations in industry, academia, arts, civic, community and K-12.

Celebrate science and technology in Arizona, and learn more about this changing world.

“Toast to Teachers” fundraiser at Feast restaurant on October 22

Sam Hughes Elementary School is at 700 N. Wilson Ave. Tucson, 85719, in the Sam Hughes Neighborhood.

The students of today are our leaders, community members and work force of tomorrow….
and they need your help!

The “Toast” History:
In 2010, a small group of Tucson parents and community members gathered together to form a grassroots effort to raise much needed funds for our public schools. Due to the fact that many of these people lived in Sam Hughes neighborhood or had children at Sam Hughes Elementary, we decided to start with Sam Hughes Elementary. When asked what was needed most, the teachers and administration identified technology as the largest deficit. There were very few, very old computers in the classrooms, no real technical support and a painfully slow network system that rendered these archaic machines virtually useless as a learning tool.

So, October 2010, we hosted our first annual Toast to Technology party, which was huge success- raising over $15,000 for Sam Hughes Elementary technology improvements. We created a brand new16 unit computer lab in our library (with the help of the PTA), a new server for school to speed up the network … and we asked Raytheon to donate 10 used computers to our classrooms. Fall 2011, we held our 2nd annual party and raised over $24,000 towards further technology improvements at Sam Hughes. We purchased document camera sets for nearly every classroom and educational computer programs for our students. We also received an additional 10 used computers for our classrooms, donated by Raytheon. With these technology improvements, TUSD saw that we were “on a mission”. Showing dedication and momentum, Sam Hughes Elementary was put at the top of the list for a TUSD network upgrade and TUSD pledged to support our new equipment. None of this would have happened without the community’s support!

Our Committee realizes the importance and value of a quality education for the future of our children, and our community. Our goal is to provide the funds to support and develop a school environment where each child is given the opportunity to blossom academically, discover and develop skills and hidden talents and to foster a love of learning.

Our committee will host our third annual event, “Toast to Teachers” October 22, 2012 at Feast Restaurant from 6-11pm. Cost: $100 per person. Dinner will be served and several local Arizona wineries & Plaza Liquor will provide tastings. This year we’ll have dancing too! This will be a private, fun-filled, adult evening, bringing friends together to further improve the resources at our school. We have come a long way, but are still far from completion. Some of the potential projects we are: a mobile 30-laptop computer lab that will service an entire class at once, the remaining 5 document camera sets we couldn’t afford last year, IT training for our teachers and staff, improved acoustical treatments in Tallmadge Hall, Teacher’s Aides…and we are looking for more ideas!

All event tickets & donations are tax deductible!

We sincerely appreciate your support and generosity! Thank you!
Karin Shelby – Committee Member
karins@gainbroadband.com (520-235-1477 cell)

Summer Science Saturday on July 28

Saturday July 28, 10 to 5 p.m.
Kuiper Space Science Building, 3rd floor atrium
University of AZ Campus
1629 E. University Blvd. (east of Cherry)

This family friendly event will feature the Mars Science Laboratory and their Curiosity rover landing on August 5. There will be Mars displays, plus information on “meteorites, comets, volcanoes, impact cratering, solar viewing, robotics, rockets, airplanes, physics demonstrations, tree rings, insects and more”.

1:00-1:45, Professor Alfred McEwen, HiRISE imaging of Mars landing sites, landers, and rovers

2:00-2:45, Veronica Bray, LPL Associate Staff Scientist, The dramatic formation of Gale crater: What happens when a meteor hits a planet?

3:00-3:45, Assistant Professor Shane Byrne, Wet clay on ancient Mars

There is free parking at the Cherry Street garage. Due to construction it will be easiest to get to the garage using Enke Drive from Campbell or National Champions Drive from Sixth Street.

For more information contact mariams@LPL.arizona.edu, or Space Imagery Center
520.621.4861. Website for Lunary & Planetary Laboratory, http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/

Solar Power 101 by Congressman Ron Barber

Former CD 8 Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was a strong proponent of solar energy, and her successor Congressman Barber is continuing this series.

The Office of Congressman Ron Barber presents the 57th Solar Power 101—an ongoing community education series on solar energy. The Solar Power 101 series offers practical information and industry updates for those interested in residential solar power.

Congressman Barber’s office is partnering with the City of Tucson, the Southern Arizona Regional Solar Partnership, and Pima County Public Library to make possible quality presentations on a variety of solar-related topics.

Solar Power 101
Monday, July 16, 6 pm
Murphy-Wilmot Branch Library, 530 N. Wilmot Rd.

Please RSVP to thomas.alston@mail.house.gov.

Agenda

Introduction — Dianna Thor, Pima County Public Library
The Importance of Solar to Southern Arizona’s Economy – Congressman Ron Barber
An Overview of TEP Solar Programs – Carmine Tilghman, Tucson Electric Power, Director Renewable Resources
An Introduction to Residential Solar Systems and What you need to Know About Solar Leases – George Villec, Geoinnovation, Owner

About Solar Power in Southern Arizona

Tucson is one of the the Department of Energy’s 25 designated Solar American Cities. Some of the goals, or Solar America Cities Action Areas, undertaken by these 25 cities are: organizing and strategizing a local solar effort, making solar affordable for residents and businesses, and creating jobs and supporting economic development.

The Solar Power 101 series at libraries is ideal for people new to solar energy, who are very interested in the basics and want to ask in-depth questions of local experts, as well as those already familiar with solar energy. Become informed about solar energy at Solar One Stop.