The Verde Valley SciTech Festival will take place throughout the entire month of February at various locations throughout the valley.
The statewide festival focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics and offers activities and learning opportunities for all ages. Events include making Southwest pinch pots, learning astronomy basics, going on birding trips and building a solar-powered car.
SciTech is run out of Phoenix by the SciTech Institute, which promotes STEM at a statewide level. The festival normally runs from February to April, but the representatives for the Verde Valley instead chose to celebrate with a robust calendar for the month of February.
This year’s festival is being sponsored by the city of Cottonwood in partnership with over 25 local organizations that will host and lead the events.
The Science Vortex is one of the many organizations hosting events, along with local libraries, the Verde Valley Archaeology Center and others.
“We’re trying to spread awareness of STEM organizations in this area and get people excited and knowledgeable about STEM concepts,” Science Vortex director Laurie Altringer said. “I’m excited to see how the expansion will positively affect visits to each of our centers.”
Each week’s events will be organized around a different theme, to include the natural environment, human history, growth and opportunity, exploring the night sky and sustainability.
Science Vortex will be hosting a SciTech signature event on Saturday, Feb. 18: “Celebrating STEAM In and Around the Verde Valley.”
STEAM is an expanded concept pairing STEM with art and creative activities. The event will feature a planetarium from the Arizona Science Center on display and various tables with activities for children to learn about microbiology and other topics. SPARQS, Sparking Curiosity in Quantum Science, from Northern Arizona University will be there, as will representatives from Precision Laboratories, which is based in Cottonwood.
The event’s organizers are striving to promote an appreciation of the pursuit of science in the Verde Valley.
“It is amazing what we have at our fingertips here with how organizations have really stepped up to increase the offerings for STEM education,” Altringer said. “We’re just trying to have kids love science and math and know that even though we live in a rural community, they do have career opportunities.”
The month-long festival encourages active participation and learning. Attendees can earn a prize by going to at least six events and filling out a mini lab notebook.
For a full schedule of events, visit sciencevortex.org/vvscitechfest2023.
