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Arizona SciTech Blog

This blog is courtesy of the Arizona SciTech Festival.

SONORAN SCIENCE ACADEMY-TUCSON BRINGS HOME ARIZONA’S 1ST FRC WORLD ROBOTICS CHAMPIONSHIP

Posted: May 16, 2017

HIGH SCHOOL TEAM “CRUSH 1011” MAKES HISTORY 

[Tucson, AZ], April 25, 2017– Sonoran Science Academy’s CRUSH 1011 competed this past week at one of two, concurrently-held, international FIRST World Championships. CRUSH was invited to compete at the FIRST World Championship after both winning the Colorado Regional and earning the Colorado Regional Chairman’s Award. At the event, held in Houston, Texas, last week CRUSH competed with 400 teams from around the world. 

 

On Thursday and Friday, CRUSH 1011 competed with 67 other teams to determine team rankings, securing an 8th seed position overall. On Saturday morning, the top eight teams were tasked with selecting their four-robot alliance for the division elimination rounds.

 

The FIRST competition revolves around alliances that are comprised of four individual teams. CRUSH was selected first overall by the number one seeded team, FRC Team 973. FRC Team 2928 and FRC Team 5499 were also selected by Team 973 and this “West Coast alliance” went undefeated in the division elimination rounds to become the Division Champions.​

 

All five division champion alliances then faced off on the “Einstein Field” through fifteen semi-final rounds to determine the two alliance teams that would compete in the final. CRUSH 1011 was thrilled to be part of one of the alliances that advanced to the finals, where they CRUSHed it to become the first ever Arizona team to win the FIRST World Championship.

 

However, their journey isn’t over yet. On July 28th & 29th, CRUSH will compete in an exposition with the winning alliance from the other FIRST World Championship, held in St. Louis. July’s event, held at a school near FIRST Headquarters in Manchester, New Hampshire, is called the “Festival of Champions” and will be an opportunity for CRUSH to compete and celebrate FIRST.

 

Dr. Adnan Doyuran, Principal at Sonoran Science Academy Middle/High School commented, “Sonoran Science Academy’s CRUSH 1011 was the first FRC team in Tucson in 2004 and are now the first robotics World Champions from the state of Arizona. This is really an amazing achievement and so well-deserved! This program encompasses so many areas, from marketing and communications, to budget planning and yes, to building robots. It requires incredible commitment from the students but also provides an invaluable, real-world experience of assembling a team to achieve a specific goal and we are so pleased to be able to provide this unique opportunity to or students”.

 

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 1989.  Their mission is to inspire young people to pursue science and technology. The organization, based in Manchester, NH, designs accessible, innovative programs motivating young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.  For more information about their FRC program, visit www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc

Sonoran Science Academy Tucson is a K-12 school emphasizing a STEM curriculum, located near River and La Cholla.  For more information about the school, please visit www.sonoranschools.org/tucson.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Crissie Rowley at (520) 505-1772 or email at crowley@sonoranschools.org.

Help For Moms Battling Summer Brain Drain: NEW! SUMMER BRAIN QUEST® KEEPS KIDS LEARNING

Posted: May 16, 2017

SUMMER BRAIN QUEST’S Nationwide Summer Kick-Off Party will take place in Phoenix at Changing Hands Bookstore on May 20, 2017. America’s No. 1 educational bestseller, with more than 44 million copies in print, BRAIN QUEST® is releasing a new series of educational workbooks aimed at stopping the summer slide by making summer learning fun for kids and easier on parents.

Families are invited to the SUMMER BRAIN QUEST’S Kick-Off party, a FREE event hosted in Phoenix by local mom blogger and event planner Bettijo B. Hirschi of PagingSupermom.com, on May 20, 2017 from 10 am until noon at the Phoenix Location of Changing Hands Bookstore (300 W.
Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85013).

This FREE family outing will be educational, fun and interactive, featuring hands-on crafts, educational games, fun photo opportunities and light snacks. Admission is just $12.95 for the whole family and includes a goody bag with one SUMMER BRAIN QUEST® workbook (a $12.95
value) to take home.

SUMMER BRAIN QUEST® combines the interactive creativity of the well-loved BRAIN QUEST® decks with a choose-your-own-adventure game element that will keep kids learning all summer long. The workbooks also encourage outdoor activities and include achievement stickers that make learning a flexible game that can be approached from different directions. This approach is what educators call personalized learning.

In six titles, for kindergarten to 6th grade, SUMMER BRAIN QUEST® covers math science, social studies and English language arts. BRAIN QUEST® was developed with an advisory panel of five distinguished educators to ensure that its content aligns with national and state standards.

More details about the Phoenix SUMMER BRAIN QUEST® Kick-Off Event can be found here: http://www.changinghands.com/event/may2017/family-summer-brain-quest-kick

The Art of Invention: Chain-Reaction STEAM Machines™ Spring Break Camp

Posted: Feb 16, 2017

Good evening,

 
 
I’m excited to announce some new chain-reaction machine camps in Chandler and Mesa during spring break!
 
 
 
The Art of Invention: Chain-Reaction STEAM Machines™ Spring Break Camp

Description: In this exciting hands-on day camp, students will be introduced to the engineering design process while they learn and use basic science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) concepts like simple machines, electric circuits, Arduino microcontroller programming, music, and storytelling. The project-based approach will emphasize problem identification, brainstorming, problem solving, rapid prototyping, teamwork, and communication. The camp will culminate with the design and construction of a giant thematic Rube Goldberg®-style chain-reaction machine! Session 1 of the camp is for ages 10 – 15, and Sessions 2 and 3 are for ages 11 – 16.

Dates

Session 1: March 6 – 10, 2017; Registration: http://www.regonline.com/steamlabs-session1

Session 2: March 13 – 17, 2017; Registration: http://www.regonline.com/steamlabs-session2

Session 3: March 20 – 24, 2017; Registration: http://www.regonline.com/steamlabs-session3

Camps run from 9 AM – 5 PM. Students must provide their own lunches.

Location:

Session 1: i.d.e.a. Museum, 35 North Robson Street, Mesa, AZ  85201

Sessions 2 and 3: ASU TechShop Chandler, 249 East Chicago Street, Chandler, AZ  85225

Fee: $200 per student

Questions? Contact Dr. Shawn Jordan, Arizona State University at Shawn.S.Jordan@asu.edu

 
 
Shawn Jordan, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Polytechnic School
Director, STEAM Labs™ Center for K-12 Research and Engagement
Honors Faculty
Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
Arizona State University
Shawn.S.Jordan@asu.edu
(480) 727-1405
http://steamlabs.asu.edu

“The State Of The State Is . . .”

Posted: Jan 25, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 9, 2017
 
PHOENIX — This afternoon, in his annual State of the State address, Governor Ducey told the story of the many Arizonans—Governors Castro and Mofford, Congresswoman McSally, and others—who embraced the boundless opportunity our state offers and used it to achieve their dreams.
Then, he announced exactly where Arizona stands:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m proud to stand here today and report, just like all these trailblazers, the state of our state in 2017, is resilient and strong. Our economy is growing, our schools are improving, and our citizens are succeeding.”
Arizona overcame one of the worst economic recessions in history and stands today as a beacon of freedom and innovation that the rest of the nation is looking to for guidance —
Arizona’s Economy: Resilient And Strong
Arizona’s Unemployment Rate Is Currently The Lowest It’s Been Since 2008. (“Local Area Unemployment Statistics,” United States Department Of Labor, Accessed 01/09/17)
Over The Last Two Years, We’ve Seen More Than 100,000 Private-Sector Jobs Land In Our State. (Arizona Office Of Economic Opportunity, Accessed 01/09/17)
In March 2016, It Was Announced That Arizona Had Recovered All Of The Jobs We Lost During The Great Recession—Ahead Of Eight Other States. “Arizona formally matched its pre-recession employment levels in December, closing a job hole that lasted eight years and lingered 19 months longer than the nation’s. . . . Only Nevada lost a greater share of its workers during the downturn than Arizona. Even so, Arizona has recovered faster than eight states.” (Ronald Hansen, “At Last, Arizona Recovers From Great Recession,” Arizona Republic, 03/25/16)
“A Reminder Of How Severely Arizona Was Hit By The Great Recession.” (Ronald Hansen, “At Last, Arizona Recovers From Great Recession,” Arizona Republic, 03/25/16)
The Office Of Employment And Population Statistics “Expects Arizona’s Recent Growth Spurt To Continue Through Mid-2017.” “The state’s Office of Employment and Population Statistics expects Arizona’s recent growth spurt to continue through mid-2017, helping bring a broader recovery to the state, especially in the Tucson area.” (Ronald Hansen, “At Last, Arizona Recovers From Great Recession,” Arizona Republic, 03/25/16)
Phoenix Business Journal: “Arizona Quarter GDP Hits Record High; Beats U.S. GDP Growth.” “Arizona’s gross domestic product hit an all-time high in the first quarter, growing 23.4 percent since the darkest days of the Great Recession. The $296.6 billion GDP for Q1 2016 was a 3.5 percent gain over Q1 2015. The U.S. economy grew 3.3 percent over that same period. The state’s GDP was up 0.8 percent from Q4 2015, double the U.S. quarterly growth of 0.4 percent from the fourth quarter.” (Eric Jay Toll, “Arizona Quarter GDP Hits Record High; Beats U.S. GDP Growth,” Phoenix Business Journal, 11/22/16)
Arizona’s GDP Growth In The First Quarter Of 2016 Outpaced 43 Other States. (“Gross Domestic Product By State: First Quarter 2016,” Bureau Of Economic Analysis, 07/27/16)
Our GDP Growth In The Second Quarter Of 2016 Was The Third-Best In The United States. “Arizona had the third highest increase in real gross domestic product in the U.S. in the second quarter. Arizona’s 3.3 percent increase over the same period in 2015 was also higher than the national average. The state’s GDP was just shy of $300 billion for the quarter, compared to $290 billion a year ago.” (Eric Jay Toll, “Arizona GDP Growth Third Best In US, Topping National GDP Again,” Phoenix Business Journal, 12/07/16)
Moody’s Investors Services Upgraded Arizona’s Credit Rating. “Moody’s Investors Service has raised the State of Arizona’s Issuer Rating to Aa2 from Aa3. . . . The upgrade of the state’s issuer rating to Aa2 reflects the state’s positive economic trends, significantly improved liquidity levels, budget actions expected to eliminate a structural imbalance resulting from the expiration of a temporary sales tax enacted during the recession, and below average debt and pension liabilities.” (“Moody’s Upgrades Arizona’s Issuer Rating To Aa2 From Aa3; Outlook Stable,” Moody’s Investors Service, 05/04/15)
MOODY’s: “The State’s Economy Will Continue To Expand.” “The outlook for the State of Arizona is stable reflecting the expectation that the state’s economy will continue to expand and that recent budget actions will stabilize reserves and rapidly restore structural balance.” (“Moody’s Upgrades Arizona’s Issuer Rating To Aa2 From Aa3; Outlook Stable,” Moody’s Investors Service, 05/04/15)
Standard & Poor’s Upgraded Arizona’s Credit Rating. “Arizona has received a second financial upgrade from Wall Street, with Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services raising its general evaluation of state-government debt to AA from AA-. Standard & Poor’s also raised its grade for bond investments known as certificates of participation issued by Arizona, to AA- from A+.” (Russ Wiles, “Arizona Receives Second Credit-Rating Upgrade,” Arizona Republic, 05/20/15)
S&P Analyst: “The Stable Outlook Reflects Recent Strong Revenue Growth And Spending Restraint.” HITCHCOCK: “The stable outlook reflects recent strong revenue growth and spending restraint that we expect to keep Arizona near structural balance in fiscal 2016 and for the foreseeable future, as well as limited future debt plans.” (Richard Williamson, “S&P Upgrades Arizona to AA On Stronger Budget,” Bond Buyer, 05/20/15)
Consumer Confidence Is Increasing. According to a recent poll conducted by the Behavior Research Center (BRC), Arizona consumer confidence climbed to 88.4 in June 2016. Confidence of Arizona consumers reached an historic low in January 2009 at 44.2, and has not been this close to 90.0 since July 2007. (“Good News: Arizona Consumer Confidence Reaches Highest Level Since July 2007,” Behavior Research Center, 07/06/16)
Arizona’s Economy Is Open For Business
In January 2016, Governor Ducey Announced Arizona’s “Renewed Focus” On Marketing And Promoting Our State To Businesses. GOVERNOR DUCEY: “It’s time for ACA 2.0, with a renewed focus on marketing and promotion. We have a great state with amazing assets. We know: Life’s better here. Now—let’s do a better job at getting the word out.” (“State Of The State,” Office Of The Arizona Governor, 01/11/16)
In February 2016, Carlisle Companies Announced That It Would Be Moving Its Headquarters To Arizona. (“Carlisle Companies Corporate Headquarters Moving To Phoenix,” Arizona Commerce Authority, 02/11/16)
In March 2016, Orbital ATK Announced That It Would Be Expanding Operations In Arizona. (Ryan Randazzo, “Aerospace Company Orbital Announces More Gilbert Jobs,” Arizona Republic, 03/20/16)
In April 2016, Google Announced That It Would Be Expanding Its Self-Driving Vehicle Program In Arizona. (David Shepardson, “Google Expanding Self-Driving Vehicle Testing To Phoenix, Arizona,” Reuters, 04/07/16)
In May 2016, Caterpillar Announced That It Would Be Expanding Its Presence In Arizona. (“Caterpillar Inc. Bringing Regional HQ To Downtown Tucson, 600 Jobs,” Arizona Daily Star, 05/03/16)
In June 2016, Dot Foods Announced That It Would Be Opening A New Distribution Center In Arizona. (“Dot Foods Chooses Mohave County,” Mohave Daily News, 06/07/16)
In July 2016, SK Food Group Announced That It Would Be Expanding Operations To Arizona. (“SK Food Group Inc. Plans Tolleson, Arizona, Manufacturing Complex,” Area Development, 07/14/16)
In August 2016, Rogers Corporation Announced That It Would Be Relocating Its Global Headquarters To Arizona. (“Rogers Corporation To Relocate Global Headquarters To Arizona,”Rogers Corporation, 08/08/16)
In September 2016, McKesson Corporation Announced That It Would Be Expanding In Arizona. (Eric Jay Toll, “Exclusive: California Health Care, Tech Firm Building $38M, 2,000 Worker Regional Operations Center On Tribal Land In Phoenix Area,” Phoenix Business Journal, 09/14/16)
In October 2016, Vector Space Systems Announced That It Would Be Locating Its Manufacturing Facility In Arizona. (“New Manufacturing Jobs Headed To Tucson,” Office Of The Arizona Governor, 10/13/16)
In November 2016, Lucid Motors Announced That It Would Be Building A $700 Million Manufacturing Plant In Arizona. (“Lucid Motors To Build $700M Manufacturing Plant In Casa Grande,” ABC 15, 11/29/16)
In December 2016, Uber Announced That It Would Be Moving Its Self-Driving Vehicle Program To Arizona. (Ryan Randazzo, “Uber Sends Self-Driving Cars From California To Looser-Regulated Arizona,” Arizona Republic, 12/22/16)
 
For more information or assistance, contact Governor Ducey’s press office: (602) 542-1342.

ASU Modeling Instruction in High School Physics & Chemistry: Annual Report

Posted: Jan 25, 2017
January 13, 2017
MEMO
To: AZ Tech Council  Workforce Development & Education Committee colleagues
From: Jane Jackson, Co-Director, ASU Modeling Instruction
Subject: 2016 annual report on ASU Modeling Workshops

Introduction:
      The Modeling Instruction Program in the ASU Department of Physics has addressed a severe shortage of qualified physics teachers in Arizona since 1998, even while the number of local physics teachers doubled. Since 2005 we have addressed a shortage of local chemistry teachers as well. A surplus of biology teachers exists, and we have prepared many of them to teach chemistry and/or physics.
Physics is STEM! Physics is a true STEM course, when Modeling Instruction is used. It includes more math, technology, and engineering than any other  high school science course.
        High school physics is the chief pathway to STEM majors in college. A student who takes active learning (hands-on, minds-on) high school physics, such as Modeling Instruction, is three times more likely to earn a STEM degree than a student whose last high school science course was chemistry. (See modeling.asu.edu/modeling/STEMpathways-PhysicsAZ.htm for references). Physics is the foundation of all sciences, engineering and technology. Thus, Arizona’s economic health depends on a strong K-12 education that includes robust physics courses.
        Modeling Instruction began in the 1980’s, developed by ASU professor David Hestenes and Malcolm Wells, a veteran physics teacher at Marcos De Niza High School in Tempe. It corrects weaknesses of the traditional lecture-demonstration method, including fragmentation of knowledge, student passivity, and persistence of naive beliefs about the physical world. Courses are coherent, since they are organized around a small number of scientific models.
        Modeling Instruction is designated by the U.S. Department of Education as an Exemplary K-12 science program and a Promising K-12 Technology program. It was recognized with the 2014 Excellence in Physics Education Award of the American Physical Society (APS), the largest professional organization of physicists worldwide. Change the Equation designated the ASU Modeling Instruction Program and Master of Natural Science (MNS) degree program as ³Accomplished STEM Programs²: see changetheequation.org/stemworks. Change the Equation, a coalition of Fortune 500 companies, is a critical resource for funders.

Actions for sustainability in 2015-16:
* Special recognition for first-time supporters Air Products and ON Semiconductor.
* Special recognition to long-time supporter Salt River Project and first-time supporter Western Alliance Bank (to finance a fall 2016 chemistry Modeling Workshop in the West Valley).
* Increased participation on Sun Devil Giving Day by 100% and raised  more than $2000 for scholarships. Teachers and the community that benefit from this program also support it!

Recent news stories:
* ASU Impact Magazine, fall 2016:  (& 2-minute video interview of Jane Jackson at   vimeo.com/178494222):
* Arizona Education News, Oct. 29, 2015: ASU alleviates physics teacher shortage, strengthens STEM pathway. 

ASU graduate courses in summer 2016:
    Enrollment increased: 76 physics and chemistry teachers — 63 in Arizona and 13 from out-of-state — participated in four peer-led Modeling Workshops and three other graduate courses.  Included were four teachers sent by the Ministry of Education in Singapore. This brings their total to 47 teachers in ten years. Singapore students have highest math and science scores in international tests; this is strong evidence for the high quality of Modeling Instruction.
        Our courses are for lifelong learning for teachers of high school and community college physics, chemistry, physical science and math. They can lead to a Master of Natural Science (MNS) degree. Since inception in 2001, 70 teachers have earned this degree. Physics professor Robert Culbertson has directed the MNS degree program since 2005.
     Courses are content-intensive; and integration of physics, chemistry, and math is emphasized. The ultimate target is not the teachers themselves but their students. Therefore each course addresses the subject at a level that prepares them to entice and inform their students.
     We are thankful for our two major donors, The Boeing Company and Salt River Project. Their donations for program support and partial tuition scholarships made our summer 2016 program possible. ASU tuition is unaffordable for most teachers. For 6 years, we have not been eligible for state grants, so we serve half as many Arizona teachers, with one-fifth the budget. We are thankful for partial tuition scholarships provided also from donations by Air Products, ON Semiconductor, & numerous individuals, and payout from our scholarship endowment fund.

About Modeling Instruction:
     Modeling Instruction is an innovative, effective hands-on pedagogy: it is guided inquiry structured by modeling principles. It develops in students the ability to analyze data, reach a conclusion and defend it; and it emphasizes experiment design.  Other 21st century skills developed include scientific use of computers and probeware, teamwork, and verbal and written communication skills. Students become self-directed, independent learners. It is aligned with the National Research Council (NRC)’s Framework for K-12 Science Education, the research-based document upon which the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) have been developed.
     Student achievement on tests of concept understanding is typically double that of traditional instruction.  A modeler wrote, “One can only imagine the future of science if only we all could understand the power of modeling.”

Effect of ASU Modeling Instruction in Arizona:
  Since 1998, 1000 unique Arizona teachers have taken 15-day Modeling Workshops. We estimate that 100,000 Arizona students benefit each year.
     Modeling Instruction is used in many schools in Greater Phoenix; for example, Hamilton High School in Chandler USD, Red Mountain High School in Mesa USD, Mountain Pointe High School in Tempe UHSD, Arizona School for the Arts, Tempe Preparatory Academy, some Great Hearts Academies, Estrella Mountain Community College, and Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Our main school partner is Phoenix Union High School District.

Resources:
* Information about our summer courses: physics.asu.edu/content/modeling-instruction-program
* Modeling Instruction resources, research, annual reports:  modeling.asu.edu .
* Would you like to contribute to the success of ASU Modeling Instruction and MNS programs by donating a partial tuition scholarship or contributing to our $1M endowment fund for teacher scholarships?
As of Nov. 2016, donations to our endowment fund are matched 1-for-1, thus doubling your investment. For advice, call Linda Raish, Assoc. Dir. Of Development: 480-727-2767.

Judges Needed for the 2017 Regional Conferences

Posted: Jan 25, 2017
To:  Arizona Quality Commission Members and Career Ready Education Stakeholders
 
Please see below for a great opportunity to invest in Arizona students!
 
Judges Needed for the 2017 Regional Conferences!
 
Greetings from the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)!
FBLA Arizona will be hosting our 2017 Regional Conferences during January and February of 2017. At these conferences, our high school students will be competing in different performance events ranging from public speaking and job interview to marketing and entrepreneurship. In order for these events to happen, we need performance event judges at each of our conferences. That’s where you come in!
We would love to have you volunteer as a judge for one or more of the 2017 Regional Conferences. As a judge, you will use a rubric and instructions provided to either participate in a role play situation or judge a presentation. Lunch and orientation will be provided before the conference(s) begin.
 
The time of these events will be from 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM (we ask you attend the entire time for the day of the conference(s) that you register for). The dates, locations, and sign up links for our four FBLA Regional Conferences are listed below.
January 21 – Region 3 Conference – Mesa, AZ – https://fblaarizona.wufoo.com/forms/zfjq5ay1bfblu6/
 
 
January 28 – Region 4 Conference – Avondale, AZ – https://fblaarizona.wufoo.com/forms/zfjq5ay1bfblu6/
 
 
February 2 – Region 1 Conference – Thatcher, AZ – https://fblaarizona.wufoo.com/forms/zfjq5ay1bfblu6/
 
 
February 4 – Region 2 Conference – Mesa, AZ – https://fblaarizona.wufoo.com/forms/zfjq5ay1bfblu6/
 
 
If you need further information, please don’t hesitate to email or call me.
 
Thanks,
 
Julie Ellis
CTSO Team Leader
FBLA Arizona Director
ABEA President
Office: 602-542-5350
Cell: 520-465-3655
 
Mailing:  AZ Department of Education l FBLA Arizona l 1535 W. Jefferson St, Bin 42 l Phoenix AZ 85007
Physical Address:  3300 N. Central Ave. l Phoenix, AZ 85012

CSO Featured Blog: How Can Your Role as a CSO Impact Science Culture At Your School?

Posted: Nov 09, 2016

karla-sundance-es

karla-sundance-esGuest Author: Karla, chief science officer, Sundance Elementary School, Oct 1, 2016

“I think that my role as CSO can impact science culture at my school by: spreading the word, bringing excitement into my school, and bring new science events to my school. At my school, not many people like science and I want to change that because I feel that science is an important skill that you will use in life whether you know it or not.

The main way I can Impact science culture at my school is by bringing new science events to my school. To do that I need to do the following:

▪ Make the events exciting– I can venture out to all grade levels, ages, and genders so that there is something that interests everyone and not just a certain group of people.
▪ Spread the word– by making different posters, advertisements, and even talking to my peers to try and get them interested. If I have my peers on board with me, then they could spread the word to where the whole school can hear what’s going on. I could also use the school “Mustang Media” news channel that is shown in the mornings to spread the word even further.
▪ Bring excitement– I can take into people’s ideas and considerations so that they feel like they have a voice in out school’s science culture. Doing this, will make students want to come to these events because they know that it’s their idea and they want to see it come to life.

Doing these things as a CSO at my school, can bring an apprising into the school so that people start to love science and don’t just see it as a subject that they have to learn at school. I want them to see it as an opportunity for a science related career and an open window into their future. The students that attend my school feel like they won’t use anything they learn in science in their life so they don’t pay attention and end up flunking the classes. If they flunk these classes, then they won’t be able to have a future or a career and I believe that everyone should have both of those things.”

Hear From Steve Wozniak, Guy Kawasaki, and 50 Other Industry Innovators At NextCon16!

Posted: Nov 09, 2016

1

Join us at the beautiful Talking Stick Resort Nov. 14-16th in Scottsdale, Arizona for three days of captivating speakers, education, networking and activates at NextCon16.

Technology visionaries Steve Wozniak and Guy Kawasaki – as well as executives from Google, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and many more – will be sharing their insights and advice at the business conference of the year.

Use code “NEXTCONVIP” for a free ticket!

Flagstaff Festival of Science Starts Today!

Posted: Sep 23, 2016

1flagstaff-festival-of-science

1flagstaff-festival-of-science
Free 10-day event features polar exploration, drones, live raptors, guided hikes
                                                                                               
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Legendary polar explorer Will Steger kicks off the 27th annual Flagstaff Festival of Science tonight at 7 p.m., in Ardrey Auditorium at Northern Arizona University. He’ll share compelling stories and images of the changes he’s witnessed in more than 50 years of wilderness expeditions in his presentation, “My Life as an Explorer.”
 
The Flagstaff Festival of Science – The Science of Change, Sept. 23 – Oct. 2, is offering more than 100 free science education activities featuring space exploration, endangered plants and animals, live raptors including a golden eagle, drones and robots, a dissecting workshop and Arizona’s own prehistoric reptile Arizonasaurus babbitti. Events include the Flagstaff Star Party, Science in the Park, SCI Talks, guided hikes into the forest, and open houses at research stations and museums. The 10-day Festival also will offer field trips to archaeological sites during the National Park Service’s centennial year and celebrate 130 years of science on the Coconino Plateau with the Babbitt Ranches Landscape Discovery Expo at Arizona Nordic Village!
 
Free tickets to Steger’s presentation will be handed out at the door, on a first-come, first served basis. They can be picked up or printed out in advance through the NAU Central Ticket Office (nau.edu/cto; 928-523-5661).
 
The Festival is made possible through the generous support of businesses, organizations, foundations and individuals. Major sponsors include the City of Flagstaff/BBB Revenues, Flagstaff Arts Council, Northern Arizona University, W. L. Gore & Associates, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Peaks Audio, Babbitt Ranches and the Arizona Community Foundation of Flagstaff.
 
For more information, visit www.scifest.org or follow the Festival on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/flgscifest/ 

FFS Polar Explorer Kicks Off Flagstaff Festival of Science

Posted: Sep 18, 2016

Exploring by Dogsled, Kayak, Kite Skis

Legendary polar adventurer shares life-long journey, changing environment observations with

Flagstaff Festival of Science

ffs-will-steger-photo

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – They call it sustainability now, but that’s just the way he wanted to live. From his off-the-grid cabin in far Minnesota near the Canadian border to his more than 50 years of wilderness expeditions, polar explorer Will Steger’s life journey has followed three main paths: a deep concern for the environment, a tireless expedition spirit, and a passion for educating others about human impacts on the planet. This month, his journey takes him to Northern Arizona to kick off the Flagstaff Festival of Science – The Science of Change – as the Shoemaker Keynote Presenter, Friday, Sept. 23, at Northern Arizona University.

“I’ve been on the ice when it was breaking up in the Arctic Ocean. In Greenland in 2008, in the early summer ice was thawing at 7,000 feet, which is unbelievable. I’ve seen it (climate change) at the very beginning and all the runs in the polar areas you can’t do anymore, the ice isn’t there, which is pretty shocking. I feel I have a really intuitive perspective of what’s happening. I took my eyewitness account, shared the stories, and it captured people’s attention.”

Steger has traveled tens of thousands of miles on some of the most significant polar expeditions in history by dogsled, kayak and kite skis. Long-time Flagstaff residents may recall Steger’s visit as the Festival’s original keynote speaker in 1990, after leading the first dogsled journey to the North Pole without re-supply. During the trip, he and his human and canine team members were sponsored by W. L. Gore & Associates of Flagstaff, and outfitted in waterproof GORE-TEX® fabric.

The Flagstaff Festival of Science, Sept. 23 – Oct. 2, is offering more than 100 free science education activities featuring space exploration, endangered plants and animals, drones and robots, a dissecting workshop and Arizona’s own prehistoric reptile Arizonasaurus babbitti. Events include the Flagstaff Star Party, Science in the Park, SCI Talks, guided hikes into the forest, and open houses at research stations and museums. The 10-day Festival also will offer field trips to archaeological sites during the National Park Service’s centennial year and celebrate 130 years of science on the Coconino Plateau with the Babbitt Ranches Landscape Discovery Expo at Arizona Nordic Village!

Free tickets to Steger’s presentation, “My Life as an Explorer,” will be handed out at the door, on a first-come, first served basis. They can be picked up or printed out in advance through the NAU Central Ticket Office (nau.edu/cto; 928-523-5661).

The Festival is made possible through the generous support of businesses, organizations, foundations and individuals. Major sponsors include the City of Flagstaff/BBB Revenues, Flagstaff Arts Council, Northern Arizona University, W. L. Gore & Associates, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Peaks Audio, Babbitt Ranches and the Arizona Community Foundation of Flagstaff.

For more information, visit www.scifest.org or follow the Festival on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/flagstaff.scifest. 

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