Arizona SciTech Festival Kicks-off; Excites and Engages Arizonans in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)

PHOENIX, Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Aimed at exciting and informing Arizonans of all ages about how science, technology and innovation will drive the state well into the next century, the Arizona Technology Council Foundation in partnership with Arizona State University and Arizona Science Center today announced the First Annual Arizona SciTech Festival is now underway. Under the theme The Next 100 Years, Arizonans will have the opportunity to participate in a series of events taking place across the state over six weeks centered during February, 2012, coinciding with the celebration of Arizona's centennial.

Starting off the fun in February is a very unique First Friday Artwalk in downtown Phoenix where "Science meets The Arts" from 6:00 pm - 10:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012. Dozens of galleries, artists and scientists will collaboratively showcase what science means to them and how it will affect our lives for the next 100 years.

"Innovations in Bioscience," the formal kick-off and ribbon-cutting of the first annual Arizona SciTech Festival, will be held at the Arizona Science Center from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012.  A celebration of innovation and bioscience with the SciTech Festival Founding Partners, the event features interactive activities showcasing Arizona's bioscience innovations from leading organizations, thought-provoking discussions from Arizona's leading bio-scientists about the future of the field and more.

Both events are open to the public and are free to attend.

"The partnership formed between ASU, the Arizona Technology Council and the Arizona Science Center to make the Arizona SciTech Festival celebration a reality is a testimony to how Arizona is a national leader in science, technology and innovation," said Sethuraman (Panch) Panchanathan, Ph.D., senior vice president, Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development, Center for Cognitive Ubiquitous Computing and Foundation Chair in Computing and Informatics, Arizona State University. "We hope everyone will join us on an adventure to explore the perpetual innovation that is happening right in our own back yards, including at ASU, which is a center for research and innovation."

The Festival is a grass roots collaboration of over 250 organizations in industry, education and community. Modeled on San Diego's highly-successful Science Festival that draws 60,000 participants annually, more than 200 activities will take place in diverse neighborhoods throughout Arizona with signature events highlighting the innovative character of each region (e.g. aerospace, solar information, technology, bioscience) through exhibitions and shows.

"Arizona has long been a leader in science, technology and innovation," said Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council. "As these fields continue to evolve and expand, the state is in a unique position to take on an even greater role on a grander stage."

The Arizona SciTech Festival activities will include workshops, conversations and debates, exhibitions, concerts, and guided tours for both young people and adults in venues located not only in Greater Phoenix and Tucson, but also in communities such as Casa Grande Flagstaff and Showlow. A list of over 200 Festival events is available at http://azscitechfest.org/.  A small sample of event highlights includes:

• Renaissance Science at the Renaissance Festival: A showcase of science discoveries and luminaries from the Renaissance including Galileo and "The Science and Business of the Black Plague," 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012, Apache Junction, AZ
• Chandler Tech Crawl: Spend a night in Chandler and learn the technology in your own backyard - Microchip and Chandler's Innovations Incubator are hosting an open house. 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, Chandler, AZ
• Second Saturday's Science in the City: Downtown Tucson merchants will host discussions and demonstrations with science related activities such as Zero Gravity and a Mathematics Road Show. Interactive Park on Congress, 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, Tucson, AZ
• A Day with Dean Kamen-A Morning of Robotics: Accomplished inventor, Dean Kamen, founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012, Carl Hayden Community High School, Phoenix, AZ, Registration is limited.
• Spring Training Festival - The Mad Science of Baseball: What's it like to experience a 100 mph baseball whiz by your field of vision? Some of the nation's most accomplished sports researchers will discuss, debate and display baseball trends and innovations. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012 and 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, Scottsdale, AZ
• First annual Science Fair and Science Carnival: This event will present both student and professional scientific work to the community in a Carnival featuring interactive presentations. 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Friday, Mar. 2, 2012 and 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 3, 2012, Showlow, AZ
• Night of the Open Door: Celebrate the science, humanities, art and innovation in a new "light" at ASU's most unique open-house of the century, 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 3, 2012, Tempe, AZ

"The inaugural Festival will serve as a platform for stakeholders from higher education, business, and the K-12 system to collaboratively highlight how science, technology and educational advances are key to Arizona's expanding workforce and economic future," said Chevy Humphrey, President/CEO, Arizona Science Center.  "The goal is to inspire kids to pursue an educational and career trajectory focused on these fields."

The Arizona SciTech Festival would not be possible without the generous support of its sponsors. These generous businesses, agencies, institutions and individuals are ensuring that the future of Arizona is full of innovation and growth.

"We are excited about the synergistic relationship with the SciTech Festival and our Cox SciTech reporters who will be at work reporting on the amazing events," said Ivan Johnson, Vice President of Public Affairs Cox Communications.  "We see this as an ideal partnership to showcase the exciting STEM innovation and education in this state."

The festival organizers proudly recognize and extend appreciation to all of the following 2012 Arizona SciTech Festival Sponsors:

About the Arizona Technology Council Foundation

The Arizona Technology Council Foundation is dedicated to further promoting and growing technology in Arizona through the raising of funds, leadership, collaboration and innovation.  The Foundation is home to Science, Engineering, Technology and Math (STEM) programs including getSTEM™-az , the Arizona SciTech Festival, the Arizona Middle School Science Bowl and the Arizona Science & Engineering Fair. In additional, The Foundation is home to the Arizona Innovation Institute and the Tech Terra Recycling program. To become a member or to learn more about the Arizona Technology Council, please visit http://www.aztechcouncil.org.

SOURCE Arizona Technology Council Foundation