The annual Flagstaff Festival of Science returns once more on Sept. 23. The 2016 festival, The Science of Change, brings 10 days of free, family-friendly fun to the city with several events on the Northern Arizona University campus.
Explorers of all ages are invited to join in during the 2016 festival from Sept. 23 through Oct. 2, featuring more than 100 free events around Flagstaff.
The festival kicks off with a keynote presentation at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 23, in NAU’s Ardrey Memorial Auditorium, building 37A. This year’s keynote speaker is Will Steger, Polar Explorer. The audience will get a glimpse into Steger’s travels by dogsled, kayak and kite skis to the most remote places on Earth through eyewitness accounts. Tickets are free and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. They may also be picked up in advance through the NAU Central Ticket Office.
The annual NAU Science and Engineering Day will take place from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, in Science and Health, building 36, on the Flagstaff campus. This event promises exploration into the world of drones, 3D printing, wind and water energy, and more. Free parking is available in lot P13 behind Cline Library with shuttle service to the building.
The Campus Sky Viewing event will take place from 7:30-10 p.m. Sept. 23 and 24 as well as Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the universe through the Barry Lutz telescope on campus.
The VPR Research Innovation Series features all NAU professors in the 2016 lineup. The talks will be offered at 6:30 p.m. in Cline Library.
- Monday, Sept. 26 | Beyond the Grass Roots – Regents’ Professor Nancy Johnson will explore wild and diverse communities of soil organisms that live right below your feet.
- Wednesday, Sept. 28 | Regenerative Medicine: Replacement Skin – Associate Professor Robert Kellar will present research from recent discoveries related to the development of artificial skin.
- Thursday, Sept. 29 | Hearing Loss: Discovering New Therapies – Assistant Professor O’neil Guthrie will discuss the biology behind hearing loss and hearing disorders as well as how research being done at NAU promises to restore hearing.
View a map of NAU’s campus online. For parking information, visit NAU Guest Parking.
To browse a full schedule of the festival, a brochure is available on the Flagstaff Festival of Science website.