{"id":79316,"date":"2026-09-21T08:06:18","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T15:06:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/?p=79316"},"modified":"2026-09-21T08:06:42","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T15:06:42","slug":"2026-flagstaff-festival-of-science","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/2026-flagstaff-festival-of-science\/","title":{"rendered":"Get ready to drive your curiosity at the Flagstaff Festival of Science"},"content":{"rendered":"

Science isn\u2019t just something we learn in a classroom; it is part of our everyday lives. This year, the <\/span>Flagstaff Festival of Science<\/span><\/a>, which runs from Sept. 25-Oct. 4, will give children, teens and adults alike the opportunity to explore the science around us with a wide variety of <\/span>events and activities that hit on a little bit of everything<\/span><\/a> from daily bedtime stories and hiking with dogs to learning how to navigate the public transportation system, growing food and even voting. With more than 100 STEAM-focused events planned, there is something for everyone.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe entirely free 10-day event is dedicated to inspiring and connecting the people of northern Arizona with the wonders of science and the joy of discovery,\u201d said <\/span>Matt Lydy<\/span><\/b>, instructional laboratory manager in the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science and a member of the festival\u2019s board of directors.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To pay homage to the Route 66 centennial, this year\u2019s theme is \u201cDriven By Curiosity.\u201d The keynote speaker is Kirk Dunsavage, who worked as a senior technology manager and head of software development for the Atlassian Williams Formula 1 racing team in the United Kingdom. His keynote presentation, \u201cSpeed Science and Human Ingenuity,\u201d is on Sept. 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Ardrey Auditorium. <\/span>Reservations are required<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Society of Automotive Engineers at NAU will be showcasing its own Formula and Baja racing teams on Sept. 25 from 6-6:45 p.m. in Ardrey.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe partnership between NAU and the festival is pivotal in creating opportunities that would otherwise not be possible,\u201d Lydy said. \u201cIt provides NAU students with meaningful opportunities to volunteer, engage with the community and share their knowledge and passion for science.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of these opportunities include a hands-on robotics workshop on Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Learning Resource Center Building (Bldg. 61), room 106A, and a storytelling event where NAU faculty and graduate students will share heartfelt true stories about their scientific journeys, the challenges they faced, the breakthroughs they experienced and the lessons they learned on Oct. 1 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Kitt Recital Hall.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One program this year is \u201cBehind the Ballot: An Elections Center Experience at the Coconino County Elections Center,\u201d on Sept. 25, 28 and 29 from 10-11:30 a.m. where participants will get an exclusive tour of the center while learning about the election process.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For those interested in nature, Rockin\u2019 River Ranch State Park will teach participants how to tag a monarch butterfly to follow their fall migration on Sept. 27 from 8:30-10 a.m. (<\/span>reservations are required<\/span><\/a>) and High Country Humane\u2019s Butler Campus will have adoptable dogs available for a guided hike that combines science, nature and fun on Sept. 26 from 9-11 a.m. After a day of fun in the sun, the Barry Lutz Telescope at the NAU campus Observatory will be open on Sept. 25-27 from 7:30-10 p.m. to view the night sky.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe festival plays an important role in bridging the gap between STEAM professionals and the broader community by creating opportunities for people to meet, learn from one another and experience science firsthand,\u201d Lydy said. \u201cThrough these connections, the festival helps make science more accessible, relevant and exciting for everyone!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

All events are free and open to the public. Visit the <\/span>festival\u2019s website<\/span><\/a> for more information.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Check out these NAU affiliate events!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n
Society of Automotive Engineers at NAU (Formula and Baja Teams)<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n

Sept. 25, 6-6:45 p.m. in <\/span>Ardrey Auditorium. <\/span>The student-run club will showcase last year\u2019s Baja and Formula vehicles and answer questions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pre-Keynote Ballet: Vroom, Vroom, Vroom!\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n

Sept. 25, 6:30-7 p.m. in\u00a0<\/span>Ardrey Auditorium. <\/span>Reservation required<\/span><\/a>.<\/span> \u00a0<\/span>An artistic adaptation of the Keynote Address that explores cars and transportation through movement, music and inventive choreography.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Keynote Presentation by W. L. Gore & Associates: Speed, Science and Human Ingenuity\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n

Sept. 25, 7-8:30 p.m. in <\/span>Ardrey Auditorium. <\/span>Reservation required<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>A behind-the-scenes look at Formula 1 with technology leader Kirk Dunsavage, who will explore how science, engineering, data and human curiosity drive innovation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Campus Sky Viewing at the Barry Lutz Telescope<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n

Sept. 25-27, 7:30-10 p.m. <\/span>in <\/span>The Barry Lutz Telescope at NAU. <\/span>Explore the wonders of the night sky at NAU\u2019s Campus Observatory.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

NAU Science Art Show, presented by the Center for Ecosystem Science and Society<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n

Sept. 26, 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the <\/span>International Pavilion. <\/span>Explore NAU research through a special science art exhibit and meet researchers to learn about the science of Arctic landscapes, wildfires, biocrust, giant trees and more.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pilgrimage of Light Art Exhibit<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n

Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in <\/span>Beasley Gallery. <\/span>Explore Grand Canyon Artist-in-Residence alum Mark Chen\u2019s photographs of the cosmos and the Earth, aligning starlight with ancient landscapes to reveal the experience of deep time through projected celestial imagery.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Science through Storytelling\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n

Oct. 1, 6:30-8:30 p.m. in <\/span>Kitt Recital Hall. <\/span>Listen to stories about adventures in science\u2014the challenges, breakthroughs, stumbles and unexpected lessons from NAU faculty and alumni crafted in collaboration with the Writing Class Radio podcast.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

STEM Poster Session<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n

Oct. 2, 1-4 p.m. in <\/span>Ashurst Auditorium. <\/span>An event that brings together STEM students and professionals to interact, communicate and collaborate.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hands-on robotics workshop<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n

Oct. 3, 10 a.m.-noon in the <\/span>NAU Learning Resource Center (Bldg. 61), Room 106A. <\/span>Registration required<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Learn about all types of robots, from exoskeletons and autonomous vehicles to robotic arms, drones and more!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Constellations Creations: Hands-on Workshop and Art Exhibit<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n

Oct. 3, 12:30-4 p.m. in <\/span>Beasley Gallery. <\/span>Create your own constellation and explore the connections between the night sky and Earth\u2019s ancient landscape.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

NAU Discovery Fair<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n

Oct. 3, 1-3 p.m. at <\/span>North Campus \u2013 Building #36 Courtyard.\u00a0<\/span>Enjoy interactive activities designed to spark the imagination while exploring the wonders of science.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Northern<\/a>Mariana Laas | NAU Communications
\n(928) 523-5050 | mariana.laas@nau.edu<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Science isn\u2019t just something we learn in a classroom; it is part of our everyday lives. This year, the Flagstaff Festival of Science, which runs from Sept. 25-Oct. 4, will give children, teens and adults alike the opportunity to explore the science around us with a wide variety of events and activities that hit on…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3019,"featured_media":79388,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-79316","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-campus-community"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79316","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3019"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=79316"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79316\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":79331,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79316\/revisions\/79331"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/79388"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=79316"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=79316"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=79316"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}