Great Places to Take your Grandchildren: Flagstaff Festival of Science

The 2014 Flagstaff Festival of Science – A Grand Adventure – is celebrating 25 years of discovery, Sept. 19 – 28. With more than 80 FREE events including open houses at museums and research centers, guided hikes in the forest and at archaeological sites, star parties with astronomers at observatories, interactive science exhibits, presentations and demonstrations, and more than 125 in-school visits from scientists, the Festival is expected to reach more than 15,000 people with science experiences.

Some of the activities are listed below.

September 19, 2014

Grand Adventure: Tracking  Microscopic Public Enemies 
7 p.m., NAU Ardrey Auditorium
Like a determined disease detective, this DNA expert chases down some of the world’s tiniest and mightiest bad guys: vicious germs including the plague, anthrax and cholera. Hear about Dr. Paul Keim’s role in protecting global human health. Find out how the study of genetics is improving our lives!

A Grand Adventure Ballet
7 p.m., Ardrey Auditorium
Preceding the Shoemaker Keynote Presentation Experience science in motion! Let the performers from the NAU Community Music and Dance Academy move you into the microscopic world of DNA 
where dangerous germs are tracked and stopped. 

Saturday, Sept. 20

Science in the Park
10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Wheeler Park
From the amazing life of trees to the wild world of animals to the stories rocks tell and the tasks robots perform, you’ll be up to your elbows in science discovery while the sun helps power the fun at the park! Explore newly discovered fossils, travel to other planets, perform surgery and hear how music helps us learn! Build a nest, add bling to your binoculars, play in a stream, dig for artifacts, start an avalanche, paint with yucca brushes or make a tree ring necklace! Gather at the bridge for an 11:30 a.m. guided walk to the Frances Short Park Pond!

Fantastic Voyage
Noon – 4 p.m., Flagstaff Medical Center
This kid-sized health fair explores how the body works and how to keep it working at its best! Join the team at Flagstaff Medical Center and get your hands on the tools used by doctors and surgeons!

NAU Science & Engineering Day
1 – 4 p.m, High Country Conference Center and Wettaw Biology/Biochemistry Buildings
Adventurers of all ages are invited to explore alternative energy sources, the magic of bubbles, the formation of comets (and make one yourself!), the agility of robots, the chemistry of explosions, unbelievable physics phenomena, creepy crawlies and much more! In addition to participating in 
hands-on experiments, you will meet NAU faculty and students with stories of exciting adventures from all around the world.

Sunday, Sept. 21

25 Years of Science Technology in Archaeology
Peter Pilles, Coconino National Forest
7 p.m., Riordan Mansion State Park 
Technology now exists that allows us to identify the type of animal killed by a projectile point, the specific origin of the obsidian from which the point was made, the time period when it was created, and the cultural background of the hunter who made it. This talk will discuss these new techniques and 
some of the startling advances they have produced.

Photo courtesy Len Bright, Lowell Observatory

Lowell Observatory Open House
5 – 9:30 p.m., Mars Hill 
Join Lowell Observatory and the Coconino Astronomical Society for hands-on science experiments that will delight the entire family. Also enjoy stargazing, viewing through a number of telescopes, and live indoor 
SlipherVision astronomy shows.

25 Years of Science Technology in Archaeology
Peter Pilles, Coconino National Forest
7 p.m., Riordan Mansion State Park 
Technology now exists that allows us to identify the type of animal killed by a projectile point, the specific origin of the obsidian from which the point was made, the time period when it was created, and the cultural background of the hunter who made it. This talk will discuss these new techniques and 
some of the startling advances they have produced.

Monday, Sept 22 

Discovery Channel Telescope: Early Results
Phil Massey, Ph.D., Lowell Observatory
4 p.m., Lowell Observatory 
Astronomers from around the world are conducting studies through Lowell Observatory’s new 4.3-meter Discovery Channel Telescope. Take a look at the marvels of the universe through this window into the cosmos!

Wednesday, Sept. 24

Volcanoes of the Solar System: 
Fire and Ice from Mercury to Pluto!
Moses Milazzo, Ph.D., Geophysicist 
4 p.m., Lowell Observatory
Take a tour of the Solar System’s volcanic worlds. Find out how different they are from volcanoes on Earth! 

These are just a few of the activities during the festival. If you wish to see all of the events click on the link.  http://www.scifest.org/media/pdf/FFoS_Passport_2014.pdf

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you plan the best multi-generational vacation ever! Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

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6008 West Bell Rd # F105
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