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As fall approaches, the Flagstaff Festival of Science returns to excite and inspire the next generation of scientists and offer educational activities for science lovers throughout the community.
“The most exciting part of the festival is making available to young people how exciting science and engineering can be through hands-on activities that are lots and lots of fun,” said Molly Munger, NAU director of Community Relations.The 10-day festival “Livin’ Science” focuses on sustainable living with more than 65 activities planned for Sept. 24 through Oct. 3.
A local favorite, Mountain Campus Science and Engineering Day, promotes youth learning and interest in science with hands-on activities including ugly bugs, a chemistry science show and electron microscope viewing.
Giant centipedes, neon-colored cockroaches and glow-in-the-dark scorpions are just a few of the creepy-crawlies that the Colorado Plateau Biodiversity Center brings to campus. The “bug” museum is home to more than 250,000 arthropod specimens from the western United States and Mexico as well as large, colorful and live specimens from around the world.
New this year, NAU will hold a panel discussion that will “reflect current activity in the community, so this year the Schultz and Hardy fires will be the topic,” Munger said.
The collaboration across Flagstaff includes more than 45 sponsors and is part of NAU’s “One Community” campaign.
The festival also coordinates opportunities for scientists and experts in the field to give presentations in Flagstaff United School District schools to open up the world of science to youth. About 50 presentations will take place outside of the festival.
All events are free and open to the public. Visit the festival’s website or the Flagstaff Visitor’s Center to print your passport and make reservations for specific events.