W. L. Gore & Associates Keynote Presentation scifest.org
NAU Science and Engineering Day Science in the Park Archaeology Digs Field Trips SCI Talks
Sept. 21 thru Sept. 30
The Best 10 Days of the Year
Raj Rajkumar helps roll out the Flagstaff Festival of Science as he offers a glimpse into the near future of fully automated cars.
Friday, Sept. 21 • 7 p.m. W. L. Gore & Associates Keynote Presentation:
Self-Driving Vehicles: Accelerating into the Future Raj Rajkumar, Ph.D., Professor of Electrical/Computer Engineering
The power of artificial intelligence will likely take the driver’s seat in the very near future. World-renowned driverless car technology expert Raj Rajkumar will propel us down the road to a tomorrow of driverless vehicles as he shares the latest innovations from his General Motors-Carnegie Mellon Autonomous Driving Collaborative Research Lab. The presentation follows an interpretive dance performance by the NAU Community Dance Academy.
Accelerating into the Future with Driverless Cars Raj Rajkumar imagines a future where guardian angel robots help wheelchair-bound humans get in and out of bed, where companion robots keep the elderly and others living alone company, and where chauffeur robots become eyes for the blind as they escort them from Point A to Point B. “The field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been an exciting place to be,” says Rajkumar, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. Especially since 2006. That’s when the U.S. military announced a contest to build a driverless car. Rajkumar was all in. “I’ve been working with General Motors since 2004. Then, our focus was on looking to make cars more intelligent, that they would at least help the human driver. That is what I was working on.” But DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects 2
Agency, the research arm of the U.S. military, revved up the country’s automotive innovations with a driverless vehicle competition. In the DARPA Urban Challenge, teams were required to build an autonomous vehicle that could drive in traffic, merge, pass, park and maneuver through intersections for 55 miles. Four hours after the race began at the former George Air Force Base in Victorville, Calif., in November 2007, a car called, “Boss” was first to cross the finish line. Boss was the creation of Rajkumar and the Carnegie Mellon Team, Tartan Racing. That was the first time driverless vehicles mingled with both manned and unmanned traffic in an urban setting. “This launched the sequence of events in history leading us up to today,” he says. As the director of the General Motors-Carnegie Mellon
Autonomous Driving Collaborative Research Lab, Rajkumar has been working in advanced automotive technology for 15 years. He says the knowledge and the possibilities have raced far beyond that early competition. “When vehicles can drive themselves, accidents, injuries and fatalities can go down significantly;
By Bonnie Stevens
one can be productive during commutes and when stuck in traffic; the elderly and the disabled will regain mobility options and their quality of life will up go up dramatically. That, he says, “is the potential of driverless vehicle technology.” Cameras and sensors, including radar and LIDAR, help driverless
This road robot named “Stanley” is parked in the National Air and Space Museum. Stanley is a Volkswagen Touareg modified to navigate without a human driver, just one example of autonomous vehicles being designed by engineers.
cars navigate roadways and prevent collisions with other vehicles, buildings and pets. Rajkumar predicts fully automated cars in the U.S. are about 10 years away. “But, for specific locations like inside downtown Manhattan or countries like India or Vietnam, where traffic is very different, it’s going to take much longer than that.” Over time, he says, the social and economic benefits of driverless cars are enormous; however, he cautions that we aren’t there yet. “The market for driverless vehicles will be huge, perhaps several trillion dollars, that’s with a ‘t,’ every year. Therefore, there’s a lot of financial incentive for companies to create the perception that they are the leaders in the market. Meanwhile, the challenges are very real. It’s going to take more time to make sure the technology is reliable, so we as consumers need to remain cautious about the marketing campaigns and the hype created, and understand that this is a transformation, an evolution, and try not to adopt this too early, thinking the technology is more reliable today that it actually is.” Rajkumar grew up in South India, admiring science giants like Isaac Newton, Einstein, Charles Darwin and Thomas Edison. He came to the United States in 1984, when he was 21. Now, a giant himself in the world of advanced automotive technology, Rajkumar is rolling out the awardwinning Flagstaff Festival of Science as the W. L. Gore & Associates Keynote Presenter. His talk, “SelfDriving Vehicles: Accelerating into the Future,” is scheduled for 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 21, in Northern Arizona University’s Ardrey Auditorium. The event is free; however, tickets are required and can be picked up ahead of time on a first-come, first-served basis at the NAU Central Ticket Office (nau.edu/cto; 928-523-5661).
Cultivating Tomorrow’s Scientists at the Park W. L. Gore & Associates brings hands-on science activities that show the underlying technology behind Gore’s products to Science in the Park. Demonstrations are taught by local engineers and innovators.(Courtesy Photo Patrick Lane)
A BIG THANK YOU To the Flagstaff Festival of Science BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Message from the President
• Joelle Clark • Alyssa Deaver • Winnie Ennenga • Kathy Farretta • Dave Gillette • Todd Gonzales • Tony Hannigan • Kristin Haskins • Moran Henn • Brian A. Klimowski • Lisa Leap • Bill Leibfried • Brandon Lurie • Melinda McKinney • Roger Nelson • Jim Snook • Brenda Strohmeyer • Greg Vaughan • Jillian Worssam
Dear Friends! Welcome to the 29th Annual Flagstaff Festival of Science: Accelerating into the Future! I hope you are as excited as I am about “the Best 10 Days of the Year!” Each year the Festival’s all-volunteer Board of Directors works to bring you FREE events, which will help you indulge your curiosity. This year we are thrilled to bring you a giant map of Mars, which you can walk on; hands-on workshops like dissections and building bots; and the latest research on our backyard illness, Valley Fever. Did you know 90 percent of our brains are formed by age 5? Bring the little ones to our Early Childhood programs so their developing brains can soak up the science, too! Have you been hearing about the volcanic eruptions in Hawaii? Join USGS geologists studying those eruptions to hear about their latest discoveries! Do you enjoy discovering science in the beautiful landscapes all around us? Discover butterflies or other critters as you join our field trips to Hart Prairie or the Fort Valley Experimental Forest. Have you been looking forward to next year’s anniversary of putting a man on the Moon? Do you wonder what it was like to walk on its cratered surface? Join our field trips out to the cinder fields where our local scientists created a moonscape for the Apollo astronauts. If you are wondering what the future holds, we have two films dealing with Artificial Intelligence and a panel discussion to follow. Our third film, Dream Big, is for the little kid inside all of us who loves building things and solving challenges. Thank you to our supporters and sponsors for helping to make the Festival possible! Flagstaff is Accelerating into the Future and the Flagstaff Festival of Science is excited to be along for the ride! Sincerely,
Kathy Farretta Kathy Farretta Board President
Bonnie Stevens is the coordinator for the Flagstaff Festival of Science 3
Kīlauea Calls to Flagstaff Volcanologists
The ‘once-in-a-generation’ event has scientists studying glowing lava fountains, ash explosions and red hot rivers of molten rock By Greg Vaughan, Ph.D. Kīlauea Volcano, on the Big Island of Hawai’i, has been erupting continuously since 1983. But in the beginning of May 2018, a new eruptive episode began – in the middle of a neighborhood – and rapidly expanded into a flurry of volcanic activity. After several days of warning signs – buckling landscape, earthquakes, and steam escaping from new cracks in the ground – a new eruption commenced on May 3, in the Leilani Estates subdivision along Kīlauea’s Lower East Rift Zone (LERZ). Steaming cracks turned into fissures of erupting lava, cutting across roads and backyards. In the following days and weeks, what was once a boiling lava lake at Kīlauea’s summit drained away and transformed into a conduit for explosive eruptions, sending ash and toxic gases tens of thousands of feet into the air. Along the LERZ, dozens of fissures opened up and coalesced into an impassable barrier of lava more than eight kilometers (five miles) long. Minor lava spattering from fissures turned into roiling lava fountains hundreds of feet tall, sending rivers of molten lava burning across the landscape all the way to the ocean. Thousands of people were evacuated and hundreds of homes and other structures were consumed by lava. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), part of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Volcano Hazards Program, is tasked with
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monitoring, investigating, and assessing hazards from active volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai’i. Volcanologists communicate the findings to the public, emergency managers, and scientists. During an event such as this, HVO staff members go into 24/7 crisis response mode. They provide regular updates on the current volcano alert level, the aviation alert color code, explosive activity, ash fall, earthquakes, hazardous volcanic gas emissions, and the ever-changing locations of ground cracks, active fissures, and lava flows. During these times of volcanic crisis, volcano observatories call upon the greater USGS volcano science community for help. Whether it’s responding to media requests, or analyzing the abundance of satellite remote sensing data used for assessing and mapping volcanic hazards, or rotating in for on-site field work, scientists and technicians from all over the USGS – including Flagstaff – come together to help. USGS Flagstaff volcanologist and lava flow expert Elise Rumpf, Ph.D., is one of the field researchers who worked the night shift to keep track of the fierce activity. “It’s such an incredible experience. Studying volcanology,
you see videos of eruptions and you hear people’s account of them, but to actually be there and see lava that’s erupting, fountaining and going 100 or 150 feet into the sky is just remarkable,” she said. “There is just kind of a constant roar that comes from these fountains and, in some places, there are these steam bursts that were very, very loud. You could hear them for miles.” Rumpf has been studying Kīlauea’s Pu'u'Ō'ō Eruption for many years. She says it has taken a slow, steady journey to the sea, which is easy for researchers to access and study, much different from the latest activity. As a USGS Flagstaff volcanologist, I was also immersed in this eruption response by collecting and analyzing a firehose spray of images coming from remote sensing satellites and airborne platforms. In addition to NASA and USGS satellites, like ASTER and
Landsat 8, commercial satellite companies, such as DigitalGlobe, and foreign space agencies, such as the European Space Agency, also provide remote sensing resources that help us locate hazards and keep people safe. Kīlauea’s fierce 2018 activity is a once-in-a-generation scale event. For scientists like Elise and me, it is an incredible opportunity to make observations and measurements that will boost our understanding of volcanic processes and hazards, and help us learn more about the physics of how lava flows work: where they form, how they advance, how they interact with textures on the ground, and where magma is moving underneath. All the while, the human side of us tempers our scientific excitement with compassion and empathy for those who have been displaced, many of whom have lost their homes.
Hear the latest about the volcanic event from Greg and Elise at the Flagstaff Festival of Science special presentation, Kīlauea Eruption!, 3 - 5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 23, at the Museum of Northern Arizona. Greg Vaughan is a Festival Board Member and USGS Volcanologist.
W. L. Gore & Associates W. L. Gore & Associates in Arizona
More Than 50 Years in the Community
In Arizona, there are approximately:
Flagstaff Phoenix
2,800 Associates
Tempe
30% of the Gore Global Workforce
1967 Arizona presence established to serve the region’s wire and cable markets for computers, aerospace, and defense.
1969 Cable used in the seismographic equipment during the Apollo 11 moon landing was manufactured in Flagstaff.
Improving the lives of patients worldwide
Innovative Medical Solutions
More than 40 million medical devices implanted worldwide Known for our innovation and distinctive team culture, we work together with healthcare professionals to solve some of the most complex medical challenges with minimally invasive products for a wide range of patients. Devices made in Arizona include products such as:
1972-76 Wire and cable in the Pioneer 10 spacecraft and Viking I Mars lander was made in Flagstaff.
1975 Gore’s first medical product, a vascular graft, entered the market.
GORE® VIABAHN® Endoprosthesis
GORE® CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder
GORE® TAG® Thoracic Endoprosthesis
GORE® EXCLUDER® AAA Endoprosthesis
for treatment of peripheral artery disease.
for treatment of certain types of heart defects.
for treatment of certain thoracic aortic diseases.
for treatment of certain abdominal aortic diseases.
1995-97 Development and commercialization of Elixir® Strings, the world’s # 1 selling acoustic guitar strings.
Today Our Arizona operations are fully devoted to our Medical Products Division. We make vascular grafts, endovascular and interventional devices, and surgical meshes used by healthcare professionals to improve the lives of patients worldwide.
Improving lives in our communities United Way
Volunteer Time
Gore is a significant contributor to the United Way of Arizona, giving an average of $800,000 annually with Associate contributions and matching funds.
All Associates are eligible for up to 8 hours of paid time off to volunteer and can apply annually for up to $500 in grant money for a non-profit organization of their choice.
AX0024-EN1 GORE, CARDIOFORM, Elixir®, EXCLUDER®, TAG®, VIABAHN®, and designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates. © 2018 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
Flagstaff Festival of Science The event’s mission is to connect and inspire the citizens of Northern Arizona, particularly youth, with the wonders of science and the joy of scientific discovery. Gore has sponsored and supported the festival since its inception in 1989. gore.com
Gore recently launched new Gore® Automotive Vents that protect these sensitive electronic components from the elements. Gore automotive vents prevent buildup of heat and hazardous gases and protect against condensation, which can extend the reliability of related electronics.
W. L. Gore & Associates Technology Fuels Automotive Advancements By Jana Kettering
Flagstaff is a hub for Gore’s Medical Products Division — a place where the company engineers and manufactures medical devices that treat such complex conditions as aortic aneurysms, peripheral artery disease and heart defects. But did you know that Gore’s products also explore the depths of outer space, protect first responders from the elements, clean the air we breathe and ensure the performance of mobile electronics? Since its founding in 1958, the materials science company has created and launched innovations aimed at improving lives and industries. This year, as the Festival of Science gears up for the W. L. Gore & Associate Keynote Presentation with Raj Rajkumar, Ph.D., a leading expert in driverless vehicles, let’s take a closer look at how Gore is fueling ePTFE advancements in the automotive industry. 4
“In today’s vehicles, technology is taking the driver’s seat,” says Global Market Growth Leader from Gore’s Performance Solutions Division Mark Weier. “Gore helps the auto industry prepare for the future with solutions found anywhere from a car’s headlamp to the tail pipe.” Lately, there’s been particular buzz around autonomous driving, a concept that’s no longer science fiction. A variety of automotive components are moving us closer to this reality; for example, warning us if we veer out of a lane or come too close to another car. To meet the growing demands for this technology, Gore recently launched new Gore® Automotive Vents that protect these sensitive electronic components from the elements. Gore automotive vents prevent buildup of heat and hazardous gases and protect against condensation, which can extend the reliability of related electronics.
Gore’s vents are highly effective at blocking water, condensation and dirt — not just during sprays and splashes, but even during deeper roadway flooding. Although the vents are engineered specifically for use in smaller spaces, the airflow performance equals that of larger vents thanks to recent advances in GORE™ Membrane technology. “Our new vents address multiple challenges that arise in developing and sustaining advanced driving system components that are paving the way toward the future of driverless vehicles,” adds Weier. This future state of driving also became more tangible at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, where the South Korean Hyundai Motor Group showcased its latest autonomous vehicle, NEXO, which chauffeured international guests between the sports facilities. The SUV is not only a proof point for advanced
autonomous driving, but also for clean fuel cell technology. The non-autonomous version officially launched in Korea in March and features fuel cell technology from Gore, enabling the hydrogen powered vehicle to offer a yet unmatched driving range of 370 miles. The fuel cell creates electricity to power the vehicle and adds range when paired with a lithium ion battery. Gore’s technology facilitates a chemical reaction between hydrogen fuel and oxygen to power fuel cell electric vehicles and enable them to run without emitting pollutants. Gore’s technology facilitates a chemical reaction between hydrogen fuel and oxygen to provide the vehicle’s electric power. The only emission is water. Today, you can find GORESELECT® Membranes in a number of leading fuel cell cars. But Gore began developing fuel cell technologies more than 20 years ago — well before the commercialization of such vehicles. Gore Automotive Business leader Laura Keough describes this as a prime example of Gore’s commitment to taking a long-term view. “The fuel cell market has been in a research and development phase for a long time,” she says. “And, because we have been heavily involved in this phase, we have built up the knowledge, the technology, the expertise and the relationships needed to be successful as the industry evolves.” To learn more about Gore’s automotive technologies, explore the interactive map online at https:// www.gore.com/products/interactivecar or https://www.gore.com/ venting-applications
Events and Activities - All FREE scifest.org Friday, Sept. 21 Joy Cone Tours: Automation and Ice Cream 9, 9:30, 10, 10:30, 11 a.m., 1, 1:30, 2, 2:30, and 3 p.m. 2843 W. Shamrell Blvd. See how ice cream cones are produced in a fully automated facility. Participants must be older than 5. For every two children, at least one adult must be present. Reservations required, flag.tours@joycone.com. Accelerating into the Future Ballet Preceding the Keynote Presentation 7 p.m., NAU Ardrey Auditorium NAU Ardrey Auditorium Performers from the NAU Community Dance Academy will rev up the crowd and set the pace for the keynote presentation as the Festival rolls out the Best 10 days of the Year! Campus Sky Viewing 7:30 – 10 p.m. NAU Campus Observatory Explore the night skies on a clear night through the Barry Lutz telescope.
Saturday, Sept. 22 3-2-1 Blastoff! Exploring Flagstaff’s Role in Getting Us to the Moon 9 a.m. – Noon; 1 - 4 p.m. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument Join an archaeologist on a tour of the cinder fields where Apollo Moon mission astronauts trained in the 1960s. The 4-mile interpretive hike includes historic photographs. Reservations required, 928 526-0502. Back West Celebration of Stone Balancing 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Willow Bend Environmental Education Center 703 E Sawmill Road See how the art and science of stone balancing teaches lessons in simple mechanics, center of gravity, mass vs. weight, levers and fulcrums. Watch, learn and participate as experienced stone balancers showcase their skill.
Sept. 21 thru Sept. 30 The Best Ten Days of The Year
Ranger Cabin Hike 10 a.m. to Noon; 1 – 3 p.m. Walnut Canyon National Monument Enjoy a 2-mile guided hike through pinyonjuniper woodlands and the ponderosa pine forest to a historic ranger cabin. See fire scars from the 1700s, learn how the forest has changed and see how old growth trees are being protected from fire. Reservations required, 928-526-3367. Science in the Park 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wheeler Park See a Mars Rover in action as it crawls over rocks and kids! Conduct heart surgery, build a prehistoric wall and view microscopic organisms! It’s a park full of action, model trains, big equipment and hands-on activities! Taking the Pulse of Our National Parks 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Walnut Canyon National Monument, Visitor Center Become a field researcher and learn about vegetation, phenology and trees at monitoring sites along the trail. Gather and submit data in exchange for a commemorative sticker! Hidden Landscapes Art Exhibit 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Coconino Center for the Arts Acclaimed Japanese artist Yasuaki Onishi explores material and spatial transformation by creating mountains that appear to float in space. The Future of Water in Flagstaff Erin Young, City of Flagstaff 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. Montoya Senior Center Learn how Flagstaff Water Services earned the designation for an adequate 100-year water supply and how technology can accelerate reclaimed water use! Fort Tuthill Forest Health Tour 3 - 4:30 p.m. Fort Tuthill County Park Explore the Fort Tuthill Thinning Project, a 330-acre effort to increase forest health,
improve public safety and reduce wildfire risk. Learn about the impacts of fire on forest ecosystems and what fire scars tell us. Meet at the forest resiliency interpretive sign north of the Fort Tuthill Bike Park, next to the NAU Ecological Restoration Institute’s demonstration area. Ethical Challenges Posed by Automation and Artificial Intelligence: A Panel Discussion 3 - 5 p.m. Museum of Northern Arizona, Branigar Hall Technological advances raise tough questions about how humans interact with machines. Join in this panel discussion with NAU’s Philosophy in the Public Interest about challenges that come with artificial intelligence and automation. Tynkertopia Open House 4 – 6 p.m. 2152 N Fourth Street, Suites 106-109 Learn about Flagstaff’s newest STEM/STEAM venue with a focus on curiosity, wonder and playfulness! Hidden Landscapes Reception 6 - 7:30 p.m. Coconino Center for the Arts Celebrate the new exhibit by Japanese artist Yasuaki Onishi that makes monuments appear to be suspended in space. Surveying Grand Canyon in 1935 Richard Quartaroli, Historian 7 p.m. Riordan Mansion State Historic Park As Boulder/Hoover Dam was being built, the Lake Mead area and the Colorado River upstream to Diamond Creek was alive with a flurry of activity involving aerial photography, surveying, mapping and boating. Feel the spray and energy behind this engineering marvel. Campus Sky Viewing 7:30 – 10 p.m. NAU Campus Observatory Explore the night skies on a clear night through the Barry Lutz telescope.
Sunday, Sept. 23 Chasing Butterflies 8:15 a.m. Red Rock State Park 4050 Red Rock Loop Road Sedona Join in the effort to net and tag monarch butterflies as they fly through Red Rock State Park. You’ll need long pants, closed toe shoes, sun block, a hat, water and a camera! Reservations required, 928-282-6907. Sea of Tranquility Hike 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Flagstaff Ranger Station, 5075 N. Highway 89 Hike to a crater field created as a replica of the Moon’s Sea of Tranquility, where NASA intended to land the Apollo 11 astronauts. Prepare for a 4-5 mile walk over uneven terrain. Dress appropriately. Bring water and snacks. High clearance vehicles are not necessary. We’ll watch a short film, then drive to the site. Reservations required, 928-527-8259 or jeannestevens@fs.fed.us. Elden Pueblo Public Day 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Elden Pueblo, Coconino National Forest Dig into the past with archaeologists! Analyze artifacts and practice ancient hunting games at the Elden Pueblo Heritage Site. Homolovi Pueblo Guided Tour 10 a.m. Homolovi State Park 61 miles east of Flagstaff , Exit 257 to Hwy 87 Meet at Homolovi State Park and caravan 12 miles (1/4-mile is dirt) to a rare view of the oldest pueblo. Hike an easy 1/3-mile walk on uneven ground. Reservations required, 928-289-4106. Hart Prairie Preserve Nature Walk 10 a.m. Meet at the Fort Valley Plaza Shopping Center 1000 N. Humphreys Street, SW Corner near the guardrail Enjoy a 90-minute walk through an alpine meadow. Learn about birds, wildflowers, forest ecology and the Conservancy’s work across the region. No dogs please.
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Pioneer Museum Open House 1 – 4 p.m. 2340 N. Fort Valley Road When it was built in 1908, the Coconino County Hospital for the Indigent offered cutting-edge medical care to Flagstaff’s citizens. Today the building houses the Pioneer Museum with exhibits on early life in Flagstaff and medical innovation in Arizona.
Mindful Movement and Eating Habits for Young Adults 4 – 5 p.m. East Flagstaff Community Library Explore basic nutrition and healthy eating habits, and learn mindful movement and breathing techniques to combat stress. Fifth grade through high school students and adults. Reservations required, 928-380-7556.
Kīlauea Eruption! Greg Vaughan and Elise Rumpf, USGS 3 – 5 p.m. Museum of Northern Arizona, Branigar Hall Toxic gases, lava fountains, ash explosions, earthquakes and rivers of lava! Hear from local volcanologists as they report back from the fiery front line of Kīlauea’s once-in-ageneration eruptive episode.
Observing Butterflies Gail Morris, Southwest Monarch Study 5 p.m. Lowell Observatory Biologists and citizen scientists are gathering information about monarchs to determine if they are in danger of disappearing from the landscape. Learn about the plight of these colorful butterflies.
Climate Change Solutions 7 p.m. Riordan Mansion State Historic Park Hear from an interdisciplinary panel on the challenges of a changing climate and accelerating solutions through policy, behavior change and technology.
Lowell Observatory Open House 5 - 10 p.m. 1400 W. Mars Hill Peer into the universe, engage in interactive displays, enjoy astronomical presentations!
Campus Sky Viewing 7:30 – 10 p.m. NAU Campus Observatory Explore the night skies on a clear night through the Barry Lutz telescope.
Monday, Sept. 24 Brown Bag Lunch: Stormwater in Flagstaff Chris Kirkendall City of Flagstaff 12 - 1 p.m. CCC Fourth Street Campus Bring your lunch and learn about the path stormwater takes, the planning involved to keep Flagstaff safe, and the impact it has on our watershed. Astronomy for Preschoolers 1:30 – 3 p.m. East Flagstaff Community Library Lowell Observatory Camps for Kids (LOCKs) Preschool introduces young minds to the stars through hands-on activities. Parent attendance and participation is required. For ages 3 - 6. Crazy for Color 4 p.m. CCC Fourth Street Campus Celebrate the wonderful world of color with kaleidoscopes and The Wonder Factory! Build your own and try out our giant kaleidoscope while we discuss the science of prisms, color, symmetry and reflective light. For ages 5 to 12, parents or guardians must accompany. Reservations required, thewonderfactoryflagstaff@gmail.com. Milkweeds for Monarchs Rich Hofstetter, Ph.D., NAU 4 p.m. Lowell Observatory Scientists and gardeners are planting a butterfly haven across the state. Find out how migrating monarchs are getting some help as they brighten our Southwestern skies. 8
Teen Science Cafe: Robotics with CocoNuts 5:30 p.m. Bookmans Flagstaff, 1520 S. Riordan Ranch St. Learn from student robotics team members and build a “Junkyard Racer” that will be put to the test! Learning from Listening: Community Health and Cross-Cultural Partnerships Nicolette Teufel-Shone, Ph.D., NAU 6:30 p.m. Cline Library Auditorium Communication and collaboration are key to understanding health needs and implementing programs. Discover insights from 25 years of research with American Indian communities. Special $2 parking available at the Riordan Rd kiosk for parking behind Cline (P13 nau.edu/maps). Movie Night: AlphaGo 6:30 p.m. Sinagua Middle School Watch as the ancient Chinese game, Go, and artificial intelligence collide in South Korea in The DeepMind Challenge Match.
Tuesday, Sept. 25 Toddler Tales 11 - 11:30 a.m. Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library Your toddler will delight in science-themed stories, songs, games and more. For ages 2 and 3. Hidden Landscapes 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Coconino Center for the Arts Explore an exhibition by artist Yasuaki Onishi where mountainous forms appear to float in space. Brown Bag Lunch: Fires and Floods Noon – 1:15 p.m. Flagstaff Aquaplex Community Room Bring your lunch and learn how the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project is reducing the risk of unnaturally hot wildfires and flooding.
Using Science to Help Feed the World Dan Foley Noon – 1 p.m. CCC Fourth Street Campus Bring your lunch and find out how feeding a growing global population will require more water for agriculture than is currently available. Research results will impact farm crops and the environment by producing more crop per drop. Build A Bot! 3 – 6 p.m. Tynkertopia 2152 N Fourth Street, Suites 106-109 Come to Tynkertopia and create a bot using recycled materials. Ages 2 – 102! Crafty Corner Science Edition 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. East Flagstaff Community Library Join in a fun-filled afternoon of sciencethemed crafts. Ages 5 - 13. Build Your Own Terrarium 4 – 5 p.m. CCC Fourth Street Campus Create a self-contained ecosystem and bring your creation home! For ages 6 - 18. Reservations required, melinda.mckinney@ coconino.edu. Bugs and Botany Up Close and Personal 4 - 5 p.m. Museum of Northern Arizona Research Campus Center for Bio-Cultural Diversity Laboratory View flowers and insects under a microscope in this afterschool workshop. Make your own giant photograph of a bug or plant of your choice. Coloring activities, too! Name That Tune: Flagstaff Bird Calls Mark Syzdlo, National Park Service 4 - 5 p.m. Lowell Observatory Listen to bird calls and try to match the correct bird to its sound! Mining Asteroids Laszlo Kestay, Ph.D., USGS 5 – 6 p.m. Lowell Observatory Ever dream of mining platinum from asteroids, drinking a beverage at the MarsSnack Bar, or basking in eternal sunshine at the lunar poles? Discover the real possibilities! Exploring the Crack-in-Rock Community and Art of Ancient Wupatki David Purcell, MNA 6:30 p.m. Museum of Northern Arizona Discover petroglyphs in the remote backcountry of Wupatki National Monument. Experience dramatic landscape views, captivating rock artimages and fascinating stories linking this site to Southwestern tribes. Movie Night: A.I. Artificial Intelligence 7 – 10 p.m. Cline Library Auditorium What will the future of automation hold? Watch Steven Spielberg’s A.I., as part of the NAU CAL Film Series then join scientists for a
panel on artificial intelligence on Sunday, Sept. 30. See nau.edu/cal/events/cal-film-series for parking instructions.
Wednesday, Sept. 26 Preschool Express 10:30 - 11 a.m. Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library Little ones will be thrilled by surprises and fun with science-themed stories, songs, games and more. Ages 4 - 5. Hidden Landscapes 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Coconino Center for the Arts Explore an exhibition by artist Yasuaki Onishi where mountainous forms appear to float in space. Species Extinctions and Ecosystem Impacts Clare Aslan, Ph.D., NAU Noon – 1 p.m. CCC Fourth Street Campus Bring your lunch and find out how extinctions and biological invasions can disrupt important activities like pollination. Downtown Geology Tour 12:45 – 2 p.m. Mountain Sports Flagstaff Explore downtown Flagstaff like never before. Learn about the ancient history of stones used in iconic buildings, architectural styles and rock types. Pick up tickets at Mountain Sports while they last or register online, www willowbendcenter.org. Planetary Science Poster Session 1 – 4 p.m. NAU du Bois Center Ballroom Learn about local research during the Northern Arizona Planetary Science Alliance Poster Session. Free parking pass and parking available at NAU Walkup Sky Dome Parking Lot. Select special permit for Festival of Science at Sky Dome kiosk, print and place on dashboard. Short walk to DuBois. Flaming Hot Wednesdays 1:30 – 3 p.m. East Flagstaff Community Library Travel through time as we investigate technology then and now, including Polaroids to iPhones, old-fashioned movies to projectors to VCRs and DVDs. All ages. Astronomy for Preschoolers 1:30 – 3 p.m. Flagstaff Family Food Center Lowell Observatory Camps for Kids (LOCKs) Preschool introduces young minds to the stars through hands-on activities. Parent attendance and participation is required. For ages 3 - 6. Build a Bot! 3 – 6 p.m. Tynkertopia 2152 N Fourth Street, Suites 106-109 Come to Tynkertopia and create a bot using recycled materials. Ages 2 – 102!
Creation Station 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library Join us for science-themed stories and crafts. Ages 3 and up. Recycling into the Future 4 – 5 p.m. Museum of Northern Arizona Branigar Hall Explore where things come from, what they are made of, what they are used for and what happens when they are used up. Activities include the wheel of recycling, a sorting game and scavenger hunt. Introduction to Metal Working 4 – 5 p.m. Artisan Metal Works, 5301 1/2 East Empire Avenue Learn about making fences, boat frames, interior and exterior designs with metal and take your creation home! This afterschool workshop is designed for 5th through 8th graders. Reservation required, 928-773-4959. Fly a Drone! 4 - 5 p.m. CCC Fourth Street Campus Assemble and test fly a drone. For ages 12 - 18. Participants must arrive on time to participate. Reservations required, melinda.mckinney@ coconino.edu. Discovering Weird Cave Creatures Jut Wynne, Ph.D., NAU 4 p.m. Lowell Observatory An exploration of caves in China has led to the discovery of new pseudoscorpions and millipedes. Take a look at unusual animals that live completely in the dark. Water Conservation Volunteer Day 4 – 6 p.m. Ponderosa High School 2384 N. Steves Blvd. Learn about water conservation through rainwater harvesting! Your help is needed to insulate a rainwater harvesting tank at the Terra Birds demonstration garden. Details and reservations at Facebook.com/flagstaffwater. Using Computers to Assess Disease Risk Amir Arzani, NAU 5 p.m. Lowell Observatory Learn how computers and new technology can tell us if we are at risk for cardiovascular disease. The Science and Engineering of Brewing 5 p.m. Wanderlust Brewery 1519 N. Main St., Ste. 102 Take a guided tour of the Wanderlust Brewery. Learn about the beer-making process and how ales get their distinctive flavors. For ages 21 and over. Pajama Fun Storytime 6 - 6:30 p.m. Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library Science-themed stories, songs, and activities for the whole family. All ages.
Let’s Draw a Science Info Graphic 6 – 7:30 p.m. East Flagstaff Community Library Learn how to draw your own captivating science poster in this afterschool workshop with a graphic designer and wildlife artist. Movie Night: Dream Big: Engineering Our World 6:30 p.m. Sinagua Middle School This film will transform how we think about engineering, from the Great Wall of China to the world’s tallest buildings to underwater robots and smart, sustainable cities. Dream Big celebrates the human ingenuity behind engineering marvels big and small. Valley Fever: The Mysterious Desert Disease in Your Backyard Bridget Barker, Ph.D., NAU 6:30 p.m. Cline Library Auditorium Valley fever, affecting about 10,000 people a year, is caused by a fungus in the dust and soils of the Southwest. Learn how scientists detect the pathogen, diagnose and treat the disease, and about a citizen scientist project on pets with valley fever. Special $2 parking available at the Riordan Road kiosk for parking behind Cline (P13 nau.edu/maps).
Thursday, Sept. 27 Family Read & Sing Storytime 10 – 10:30 a.m. East Flagstaff Community Library Join us for stories, games, and songs, all with a science theme. All ages. Preschool Express 10:30 – 11 a.m. Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library Join us for science-themed stories, songs games and more. Ages 4 - 5. Hidden Landscapes 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Coconino Center for the Arts Explore an exhibition by artist Yasuaki Onishi where mountainous forms appear to float in space. How Microbes Affect Your Mood Andy Allen, CCC Noon – 1 p.m. CCC Fourth Street Campus Bring your lunch and find out how bacteria in your gut can affect your attitude. Build A Bot! 3 – 6 p.m. Tynkertopia, 2152 N Fourth Street, Suites 106-109 Come to Tynkertopia and create a bot using recycled materials. Ages 2 – 102! LEGO Club 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. East Flagstaff Community Library Need more LEGOs in your life? LEGO Club is here for you. Join us for a special science themed challenge. Grades K – 5.
Permafrost Thaw and Microbial Growth: A Giant Awakens Egbert Schwartz, Ph.D., NAU 4 p.m. Lowell Observatory Find out how the thawing Alaskan permafrost is awakening microorganisms in the soil and its affects on climate change.
Recycling Center Tour 1 - 2 p.m. Norton Environmental Materials Recovery Facility 1800 E. Butler Ave. Find out what can be recycled in Flagstaff, how materials are sorted and where do they go from here. Reservations required, www. willowbendcenter.org.
Build Your Own Water Rocket and Parachute 4 – 5 p.m. CCC Fourth Street Campus Design and launch your own water rocket in the parking lot with CCC Science Club students. For ages 6-18. Reservations required, melinda.mckinney@coconino.edu.
Walk on Mars 1 – 6:30 p.m. Sinagua Middle School Walk across this true-to-size landscape map and learn from astrogeologists about the formations on the surface of Mars. Explorers of all ages welcome!
Rio de Flag Water Reclamation Plant Tour 4 – 5 p.m. 600 Babbitt Drive Follow the path wastewater takes to become A+ reclaimed water for use in irrigation systems, snow making and more. Reservations required, 928-213-2471.
Build A Bot! 3 – 6 p.m. Tynkertopia, 2152 N Fourth Street, Suites 106-109 Come to Tynkertopia and create a bot using recycled materials. Ages 2 – 102!
Hacking Microbiomes Improve our World Greg Caporaso, Ph.D., NAU 5 p.m. Lowell Observatory Find out how trillions of microorganisms living in and on our bodies help keep us healthy! Hear about DNA research and where the future is headed in medical science. Worm Composting 6 – 7 p.m. East Flagstaff Community Library Learn about the benefits of composting with worms in this afterschool workshop! It’s fun, easy, odorless, and produces a great soil fertilizer. Workshop participants will learn how to house, feed, harvest and care for their worms. Someone will win a worm bin! Predicting Landscape Changes in our Backyard: the Future of the San Francisco Volcano Field Kirk Anderson, MNA 6:30 p.m. Museum of Northern Arizona Volcanos are HOT! Eroding volcanos are NOT! Suitable for all ages. Women in STEM 7– 9 p.m. Firecreek Coffee Expand your professional circle at the Festival’s networking event for women scientists, engineers and physicians working in industry or academia. Get to know your peers in a relaxed and collegial atmosphere. Bring business cards!
Friday, Sept. 28 Hidden Landscapes 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Coconino Center for the Arts Explore an exhibition by artist Yasuaki Onishi where mountainous forms appear to float in space.
Dissections! 4 - 5 p.m. East Flagstaff Community Library If you are curious about how different species evolved to adapt to their environments, come use dissecting tools and take a look at the anatomy of worms, sheep eyes, frogs and sharks! Reservations required, 928-606-6653. Flagstaff Wonder Rally 4 – 8 p.m. Heritage Square Spend a Friday family fun night building and racing a miniature car! Kids will build a vehicle onsite or at several downtown stations, test it on a track, then compete at Heritage Square. Win an award for creativity and ingenuity. Ages 3 – 16. How Long was Seismosaurus? 4 - 5:30 p.m. Museum of Northern Arizona Research Campus, Geology Building parking lot, north side of Fort Valley Road Seismosaurus, at least 110 feet in length, was quite possibly the longest of the long-necks. Help fill in the chalk outline in the parking lot. We’ll compare it to modern dinosaurs and predict the size of future dinosaurs! The Geology Building is on the north side of the highway. Black Widow Spiders Todd Gonzales 4 p.m. Lowell Observatory Hear about the myths and facts of the black widow from a local spiderman. Live specimens will be present. Ants of the Colorado Plateau Derek Uhey, NAU 5 p.m. Lowell Observatory From a single queen, ants form complex societies, numbering in the tens of thousands! Several hundred species of ants live in the desert, the forest and underground. Learn about their beneficial and negative impacts.
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CCC Science Celebration 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. CCC Lone Tree Campus Complete a circuit of hands-on activities in chemistry, biology, engineering, physics, anthropology and geology, and take home a prize! Explore your compost arthropods and view the night sky! Campus Sky Viewing 7:30 - 10 p.m. NAU Observatory Explore the night skies on a clear night through the Barry Lutz telescope.
SCI Talks
6 - 8:30 p.m. Coconino Center for the Arts Hear four TEDx-inspired, 15-minute Science, Communication, Innovation Talks. Doors open at 6 p.m., talks begin at 6:30 p.m., beer and wine available for purchase. Growing Body Parts Robert Kellar, Ph.D., NAU Find out how the field of regenerative medicine has developed over two centuries and where it may be headed in the future. Innovating and Developing a New Technology Thomas “TJ” Janecek, Electric Torque Machines Breakthrough technology in electric motors delivers solutions for a broad variety of applications. Learn how this new category of motors is powering the world. Getting Gritty Emma Wharton, Grand Canyon Youth What do endangered fish and teenagers have in common? Both need grit and resiliency to thrive. Hear about river and canyon projects that connect youth to nature. It’s the Little Things Billy Cordasco, Babbitt Ranches From the ground, to the sky and out into the universe, it’s the little things that are making a difference in science, art and culture. Exploration from the Colorado Plateau peers into the world of honey pot ants, golden eagles and space travel.
Saturday, Sept. 29 4x4 Excursion to Apollo Astronaut Training Grounds 8:30 a.m. - Noon Bring your off-road capable 4x4 for an adventure through the Cinder Hills OffHighway Vehicle Area to visit craters made by local geologists to prepare Apollo astronauts for the Moon. Your journey starts at Buffalo Park. The number of vehicles is limited. Carpooling encouraged. Reservations required, call 928-556-7002. 10
Fort Valley Experimental Forest Open House 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Coconino National Forest, Hwy 180, about 1 mile west of Snowbowl Road Tour the nation’s first forest research station and historic cabins. Picture Canyon Hike 9 - 11:30 a.m. Picture Canyon Natural and Cultural Preserve Trailhead Join in a 3-mile hike featuring Sinagua petroglyphs and wildlife of this critical riparian area. Bring hiking shoes, sun hat, sunscreen and water. Reservations required, 928-213-2155 or Kaeli.Wells@flagstaffaz.gov. MNA Easton Collection Center Open House 10 a.m. – Noon Museum of Northern Arizona Research Center, northeast side of Fort Valley Road Check out this modern, living facility that houses collections from ancient and current cultures as well as the natural world of the Colorado Plateau. National Weather Service Open House 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Camp Navajo Army Depot Bellemont, I-40, Exit 185 Take a tour, visit with forecasters and technicians, and engage in interactive activities. Catch the weather balloon launch at noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.! Early Childhood STEAM Fair 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Flagstaff High School It’s full STEAM ahead at this early childhood fair showcasing art and science educational resources for children from birth to 8 years old. Sustainable Building Tour 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Willow Bend Environmental Education Center This self-guided tour showcases sustainable living. Homes include construction methods, rainwater harvesting demonstrations, greywater systems and solar power. Tour packets are available at Willow Bend on the day of the tour or downloaded for outlying community locations. For more information: www.coconino.az.gov/sustainablebuilding Hidden Landscapes Art Exhibit 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Coconino Center for the Arts Explore an exhibition by artist Yasuaki Onishi where mountains appear to float in space. Fantastic Voyage Noon – 4 p.m. Flagstaff Medical Center Explore the inner workings of the human body, engage with health care professionals, learn about medical tools and equipment, and check out Guardian Air’s helicopter (if available).
NAU Science and Engineering Day Noon – 3 p.m. NAU Science and Health Building Dueling robots, hissing cockroaches and the latest technological inventions will surprise you! Free parking behind Cline Library.
The Arboretum at Flagstaff Open House 9 a.m. – Noon 4 miles south on Woody Mountain Road Bring the whole family for interactive activities, including the Wheel of Wonder, educational exhibits and more! Enjoy a guided tour, hiking trails and fun in the forest!
The Science of Breathing in Yoga and Life 1 – 2:30 p.m. Northern Arizona Yoga Center Learn about the science behind different breathing techniques used in yoga. Bring a pillow and be ready to try some poses. No yoga experience necessary.
Hart Prairie Preserve Nature Walk 10 a.m. Meet at the Fort Valley Plaza Shopping Center, 1000 N. Humphreys Street, SW Corner near the guardrail Enjoy a 90-minute walk through an alpine meadow. Learn about birds, wildflowers, forest ecology and the Conservancy’s work across the region. No dogs please.
Flagstaff’s Water Conserving Future 2 – 4 p.m. Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library Help the City of Flagstaff Water Conservation Program pick future options for conserving water. Tynkertopia Open House 2 – 5 p.m. 2152 N Fourth Street, Suites 106-109 Learn about Flagstaff’s newest STEM/STEAM venue, with a focus on curiosity, wonder and playfulness! Astronaut Training in the Grand Canyon Kevin Schindler, Lowell Observatory 7 p.m. Riordan Mansion State Historic Park In the 1960s, astronauts traveled to the Grand Canyon for geology lessons. Trace their path to Phantom Ranch and join in the adventure! Enjoy then-and-now pictures of stops along the way. U.S. Naval Observatory Open House 7 – 10 p.m. Take Route 66 for about 3 miles west of Flagstaff, turn right at Naval Observatory Road sign, follow switchbacks and signs The Navy uses the stars to set the world’s clocks and view distant galaxies and deep space phenomena from this hilltop west of Flagstaff. Take a tour of this important facility! Campus Sky Viewing 7:30 - 10 p.m. NAU Observatory Explore the night skies on a clear night through the Barry Lutz telescope.
Sunday, Sept. 30 Lava River Cave Hike 8:30 a.m. – Noon Coconino National Forest This challenging primitive 1.5 mile hike through an ancient lava tube leads to lavacicles and splash downs. Reservations required, 602-582-1328 or cjt267@nau.edu.
Watch for Festival program updates at Scifest.org
Scenic Science Chairlift Starting at 10 a.m. Arizona Snowbowl Glide above the forest to alpine tundra remaining from the last Ice Age. Meet a Ranger at the top to learn about the volcanic field, Grand Canyon and ecosystems of the San Francisco Peaks. Call to reserve one of 50 free chairlift tickets (limit two per party), email customerservice@snowbowl.ski. Introduction to 3D Design and Printing 10:30 – noon NAU Cline Library’s MakerLab See what you can do in the MakerLab and start designing in 3D at this hands-on workshop. Registration required,https://nau. libcal.com/event/4334064 Free Parking behind NAU Cline Library, Lot P13. Artificial Intelligence in the Movies 5 – 7 p.m. U.S. Geological Survey 2255 North Gemini Drive Will robots take over the world as Spielberg’s A.I. portrays? How true is Hollywood’s depiction of artificial intelligence? Local AI/ machine learning experts will lead this panel discussion and explain how they use AI in their everyday work. Campus Sky Viewing 7:30 - 10 p.m. NAU Observatory Explore the night skies on a clear night through the Barry Lutz telescope.
Early Childhood suitable for preschool to 3rd grade Afterschool Talk suitable for middle school and high school students Afterschool Workshop suitable for ages noted in the event description Twilight Talks suitable for high school students and adults Research Innovations suitable for college students and life-long learners
CCC SCIENCE CELEBRATION NIGHT
www.scifest.org
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Part of the Flagstaff Festival of Science
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Friday, September 28, 2018 / 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
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Launch water rockets, observe live leeches, extract DNA and much more! The first 100 participants to complete the Jr. Scientist Labs will each receive one high-quality magnifying glass!
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CCC Lone Tree Campus Commons
While supplies last. See greeters’ table for details.
Native Students Picture Themselves as Astronomers By Todd Gonzales Lowell Observatory astronomers who have visited Navajo and Hopi schools have learned that a majority of the students perceive scientists to be male and not of their own Native culture. The observatory’s NavajoHopi Astronomy Outreach Program is designed to change that. The program began in 1996, through the efforts of Deidre Hunter, Ph.D., and her team. It seeks to connect an astronomer with a fourth through eighth grade class on the Hopi or Navajo nations. The astronomer visits the class several times a year to lead lessons and star parties. The culmination of the year is when the students come to Flagstaff to spend a night with the research telescopes at Lowell Observatory. The science lessons the astronomers would lead in the classroom are usually hands-on and not purposely aligned to any of the state and tribal standards. In early 2016, the Navajo-Hopi program took a different direction when Hunter asked some of the veteran teachers in the program to meet up and give Lowell Observatory
insights on improving the program. What came out of that meeting was a unanimous request to include multiple academic disciplines in a project based unit. The new curriculum would tie in reading, writing, math and culture with the science. To accomplish this new task, Lowell Observatory hired a certified teacher to begin curriculum development on the new multi-disciplinary lessons for fifth graders. The first unit was based on characteristics of the planets, which is a fifth-grade science standard. However, to include the students’ culture and other academic disciplines, students were tasked with creating an informational poster describing how life would be different living on another planet. It is hoped that this program is making a difference in how Native youth view themselves and their future in science education and careers.
Todd Gonzales is the master teacher at Lowell Observatory.
Flagstaff Lone Tree Campus 2800 S. Lone Tree Rd., Flagstaff, AZ 86005 www.coconino.edu
Building curiosity about our world Studying history, science, and the natural world around us can help build a foundation for life. Sparks of curiosity today can lead to tomorrow’s exciting discoveries.
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Flagstaff Festival of Science, you’ve helped students discover the world.
wellsfargo.com
© 2018 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. 122910 08/18
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Local Youth Hope to Benefit Others in their STEM Careers
Flagstaff’s STEM City recently honored two local 18-year-olds who are pursuing higher education and careers in science and hope to make a difference in the lives of others: Wyatt Clark, a recent graduate of Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy; and, Sisilia Sinaga, a recent graduate of BASIS Flagstaff. Clark says he is grateful for the work of engineers, educators, programmers and scientists of all
sorts who developed technology that helped make learning easier for himself and others who are dyslexic. “That is why I love science, and that is why I dedicate every moment of my professional life to Science Technology Engineering Art and Mathematics (STEAM), because I know that the work I do, whatever that may be, will impact thousands of people who I will never know and will never know me. I am greatly humbled to have received the Flagstaff STEM Student of The Year award, the significance of which does not end at a trophy to place on my shelf, but acts as a constant reminder that for every advance in technology, a generation of people are given opportunities once thought impossible.” Clark has experience in robotics and an interest in rockets, telescopes, prosthetics, automated farming and renewable energy. He
By Bonnie Stevens
has worked as an intern for the U.S. Naval Observatory and is attending Northern Arizona University this fall as a mechanical engineering student in the honors program. Sinaga has always loved and been actively involved in STEM, especially math, computer science, and physics. “I love that science is complicated and full of unanswered questions, but there is nothing more satisfying than the process of solving a difficult problem and finding a solution, and even when one problem is solved, there are still so many other questions to learn about and solve.” Some of her favorite STEM activities during high school included competing with her school’s robotics club, writing code for artificial neural networks at the USGS, volunteering through STEM City to expose younger students to computer science, and programming on her own for fun. She is a freshman at
Northwestern University this fall, majoring in computer science. She hopes to use computer science to pursue robotics in graduate school and, along with her interest in business and entrepreneurship, create her own robotics startup that will benefit people. She is honored to receive the STEM Student of the Year award, and hopes that her activities and accomplishments can inspire other students to pursue STEM.
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Photo by Bonnie Stevens
-Theodore Roosevelt
Education is the bridge to bright futures and a strong community. That’s why we proudly support Flagstaff Festival of Science for connecting and inspiring the citizens of Northern Arizona with the wonders of science and the joys of scientific discovery. Your commitment to education means a brighter future for all of us.
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Flagstaff Arts Council Helps Launch 2018 Festival
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Flagstaff Festival of Science Board Treasurer Bill Leibfried and PresidentElect Alyssa Deaver accept a check from Flagstaff Arts Council Vice President Dorlee Henderson (center) at an August awards ceremony in City Hall. The $10,500 grant is made possible through City of Flagstaff/ BBB Revenues.
Northern Arizona University is a proud sponsor of the
Flagstaff Festival of Science September 21–30, 2018
Rob Kellar
Join NAU and our world-class scientists as we explore Artificial Intelligence (AI) and this year’s festival theme, “Accelerating into the Future,” at events on campus and throughout the community.
Meet NAU scientists at lectures and other events, including
Bridget Barker
Greg Caporaso
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Bioengineer Amir Arzani Biotechnologist Bridget Barker Bioinformatician Greg Caporaso Entomologist Rich Hofstetter
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Bioengineer Rob Kellar Microbial ecologist Egbert Schwartz Public health expert Nicolette Teufel-Shone Graduate student Derek Uhey
Kick off the festival at the
Listen to Afterschool
Learn more about 3D
keynote presentation held at NAU’s Ardrey Auditorium
Talks and SCI Talks by NAU scientists
design and printing at NAU’s MakerLab
Participate in a
Watch the film
Explore the night sky
AI Artificial Intelligence at NAU’s Cline Library Auditorium
at NAU’s observatory
panel discussion about automation and AI led by NAU’s Philosophy in the Public Interest
Learn at the Be dazzled by the latest technological inventions at NAU Science and Engineering Day
Northern Arizona Planetary Science Alliance (NAPSA) Poster Session
Attend the NAU Research Innovation Series of lectures
Participate in a scientific panel discussion about AI in the movies
See festival schedule for dates, times, locations, and parking information or visit scifest.org Egbert Schwartz
nau.edu
Retracing the Steps of Moonwalkers By Kevin Schindler
About 210 million people have visited the Grand Canyon since it was designated a national park nearly a century ago. While there, these pilgrims typically have found inspiration in the resplendent layers of rock. In the mid-1960s, local geologists realized that they could draw on such revelations to stimulate a group of jet pilots to want to learn about geological principles, information they could use on future flights. But these flights wouldn’t visit foreign cities or countries, but a foreign world. The pilots were Apollo astronauts, and, under the guidance of the geologists that were working on behalf of NASA, they hiked into the Grand Canyon in preparation for their missions to the Moon. In fact, all 12 of the astronauts who flew around the Moon, and 11 of the 12 who set foot on the lunar surface, participated in 14
these training exercises. The one Moonwalker not accounted for? That would be Harrison “Jack” Schmitt, who was a geologist by trade and so didn’t need further training in the Grand Canyon. Schmitt was the only scientist to walk on the Moon and, in fact, was working at the United States Geological Survey in Flagstaff when he was chosen to be one of NASA’s scientist-astronauts. This astronaut training transpired over three trips. The first was on March 5-6, 1964, and consisted of 18 astronauts, including future Moonwalkers Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, Alan Shepard, Dave Scott and Gene Cernan. A week later, future Moonwalkers Pete Conrad and John Young were part of a group of 11 to visit. Finally, on June 2-3, 1966, a group of 19 that included future Moon walkers
Edgar Mitchell, Charlie Duke and Jim Irwin made the trek into the Canyon. All three hikes followed the same plan. The astronauts flew into Flagstaff and then drove with geologists to the Canyon. After a briefing at the Yavapai Geology Museum, the group headed to the trailhead of South Kaibab Trail and made broad-scale observations of the Canyon. They then broke up into small groups, with two or three astronauts and a geologist in each group, and began hiking down, studying the general superposition of rock layers, as well as more detailed features such as the fossils of the Kaibab Limestone and cross bedding in the Coconino Sandstone. While the geologists knew these particular types of rocks,
not to mention the fossils, would not be on the Moon, they nevertheless found their characteristics useful in teaching largescale geological processes. Plus, they had the undivided attention of the astronauts; teaching geology to a group of pilots with limited interest in geology was much easier to do in the grandeur of the Grand Canyon than in a classroom. The hikes turned into crash courses in geology, with the astronauts each carrying and using geology hammers, hand lenses, compasses, field notebooks and other tools of the trade. The groups slowly descended the South Kaibab, periodically stopping to examine rock crystals or study rock charts. They finally made it to the bottom and Phantom Ranch, where they had to survive the annoyance of skunks and rustic sleeping conditions. The next morning, they hiked up Bright Angel Trail, with the astronauts recalling what they had learned the previous day. Many rode mules out from Indian Gardens, though some of the more driven astronauts, including the hypercompetitive Alan Shepard, insisted on hiking out. The Grand Canyon experience proved beneficial for the astronauts, helping them gain an appreciation for the vastness of geologic time and the magnificent forces involved with forming and, eons later, exposing rocks.
On September 29 at 7 p.m., Schindler, Lowell Observatory historian, will give a presentation at Riordan Mansion about these long forgotten training hikes at the Grand Canyon. To put this program together, he retraced the path the astronauts took, re-photographing many of the sites within the Canyon that they visited. The presentation will thus be part overview of training activity, part comparison of how the Canyon looks today versus during the astronaut training more than 50 years ago. For instance, a dead tree at the base of O’Neill Butte— evident in a picture from one of the 1964 training hikes—still lies in the same place today. On the other hand, the Colorado River has changed color from the preGlen Canyon Dam days of the astronaut training to today.
Spiders Helped Discover Pluto Spiders hold a place among the world’s top five fears. However spiders have become a hotbed for research. Scientists are studying the usefulness of their silk and the potential medicinal properties of their venom. Spiders also have helped astronomers get precise measurements of astronomical bodies for more thana century! To understand the role of spiders in astronomy, we must first be introduced to the filar micrometer. Micrometers are used to measure very small and precise distances. The word “filar” has its Latin roots to the words thread or filament. Filar micrometers use two threads that can be adjusted to measure the angular distance of two objects viewed with a telescope. Using trigonometry, astronomers can measure the distance between objects in space with
By Todd Gonzales
a filar micrometer. However, for a long time, fine translucent filaments were hard to come by and extremely expensive. It became increasingly popular for astronomers to keep spiders and use their silk as the needed filament. At the time Pluto was discovered in Flagstaff, it is likely the reticle used to aim the Pluto Telescope used spider silk. So, even though it was a detail not important enough to log in the observation log, it is extremely likely that spiders share in the discovery of Pluto, by a thread. The reticle used to aim the Pluto Telescope. Currently, it is seen here with fine steel thread used in the 1980’s. Spider silk was more than likely used throughout most of the telescopes operation.
Thank you to our Sponsors! SUPERNOVA FRIENDS
GALACTIC FRIENDS
Molly AND Joseph Herman Foundation
Northern Arizona Association of REALTORS®
Charlot M. Root
STELLAR FRIENDS
Hear about black widow spiders and see some fascinating specimens in an After School Talk at 4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28, at Lowell Observatory. Todd Gonzales is the master teacher at Lowell Observatory.
Drs. Robert and Sheila Edgar McClanahan Family Fund
Maury Herman and Karen Kinne Herman
PLANETARY FRIENDS Arizona Snowbowl • Coconino Center for the Arts • Flagstaff Unified School District • Byron and Jennifer Hayes • Paul and Deborah Holbrook • Intel Benevity Fund • Joy Cone • KAFF/KMGN • NAU College of Arts and Letters • NAU NASA Space Grant • Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. of Flagstaff • Pilkington Advertising Design • Rocky Mountain Research Station • Bonnie Stevens’ Communication Station • SWCA Environmental Consultants • The Jim St. Leger Family • The Wolf/ KOLT/ Rewind • Yavapai Broadcasting
Lowell ACTIVITY BOOKLETS Earn an official stellar patch upon completion! For ages 5 and up | $3 per booklet
www.lowell.edu | (928) 774-3358
COMETARY FRIENDS Cornerstone Environmental Consultants • Alyssa Deaver • Flagstaff Eye Care • Tony Hannigan • The Kahl Family • Brian Klimowski • Brandon and Mackenzie Lurie • Noah and Debi Stalvey • Bonnie Stevens’ Communication Station • Greg and Alicia Vaughan • Richard and Nelda Vaughan • W. Leibfriend Environmental Consultants
COSMIC FRIENDS Amazon Smile • Arizona Gives • Arizona Historical Society • Arizona SciTech Festival • Bookmans • Flagstaff • Brenda Strohmeyer • Bryan and Barbara Bates • Chuck and Dolores Biggerstaff • Climate Science Lobby • Coconino Astronomical Society • Coconino Coalition for Children and Youth • Coconino Lapidary Society • Coconino Plateau Watershed Partnership • CocoNuts Robotics Team Dave Gillette • Elden Pueblo • Flagstaff Model Railroad Club • Friends of Camp Colton • Glen Dunno Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council • Grand Canyon Youth • Great Flagstaff Forests Partnership Habitat Harmony • Jillian Worssam • Joelle Clark • Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center • Kathy Farretta • Lisa Leap • ASU LROC Science Operations Center • UofA Marine Awareness and Conservation Society Melinda McKinney • Moran Henn • NAIPTA • Northern Arizona Audubon Society • Petrified Forest National Monument • Richard Naden • Roger Nelson • Rooftop Solar • Southwest Monarch Society • The Arboretum at Flagstaff • Todd Gonzales • The Wonder Factory • Winnie Ennenga
Event
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Passion Reigns in TEDx-Inspired Talks Scientists, inventors, environmental educators and researchers are making discoveries that are changing the world and the way we view ours.
Emma Wharton of Grand Canyon Youth is nurturing an appreciation for the environment in tomorrow’s leaders.
Biomedical Engineer Robert Kellar is creating products that can help the human body heal and testing the waters of the fountain of youth by igniting our own stem cells to stimulate repair.
Babbitt Ranches President Billy Cordasco is connecting art, science and culture across Northern Arizona’s wide open spaces.
Inventor TJ Janecek of Electric Torque Machines is making a difference on our environmental impact with a new kind of motor he built in his garage.
The Festival’s 15-minute SCI Talks will no doubt inspire audience members to think broader, care deeper and dream bigger.
SCI Talks start at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28, at the Coconino Center for the Arts. Doors open at 6 p.m. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.