2020 Arizona SciTech Festival Kicks Off

2,300+ Science & Tech Events Offer Something for Everyone

 

PHOENIX, AZ (January 9, 2020) — Meet a robot. Solve real-life challenges facing wildlife. See a 3D printer in action. Watch a rocket launch. View the stars through powerful telescopes. 

 

Arizonans of all ages will be able to do all of this and much more at the 2020 Arizona SciTech Festival, the state’s annual celebration of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), from Jan. 25 through April 30, 2020.

 

“The celebration of science and technology keeps growing and inspiring young people,” said Steve Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council. “The 21st century economy is built on STEM, and the SciTech Festival is an innovative way to introduce our younger generations, as well as people of all ages, to current discoveries and future opportunities.”

 

Now in its ninth year, the SciTech Festival isn’t a single-day event. It is the country’s third-largest science festival with more than 800 organizations partnering to present more than 2,300 events throughout the year. 

 

Spearheaded by the Arizona Commerce Authority, Arizona Science Center, SciTech Institute, Arizona Board of Regents, The University of Arizona and Arizona State University, the Arizona SciTech Festival is a wildly successful grassroots collaboration.

 

“The Arizona SciTech Festival is an incredible platform for engaging future generations of scientists and technology leaders, as well as highlighting Arizona’s impressive STEM ecosystem,” said Sandra Watson, President & CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “The ACA is proud to be a foundational partner of the festival and we look forward to the many exciting events planned for 2020.”

 

The festival offers abundant opportunities for kids, teens and adults to explore STEM across the state through interactive events, workshops, exhibitions, displays, lectures and tours. Best of all, SciTech events are free! 

 

“As a technology company, we value STEM education across the state, and understand its importance to our future as Arizonans,” said Susan Anable, vice president of public affairs for Cox Communications, a presenting sponsor of the event. “That’s why we continue to support this amazing festival, which sparks imaginations and spurs excitement about science and technology for people of all ages.”

 

This season kicks off with the annual Connect2STEM event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 25 at The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, 475 N. Fifth St. Children and parents can meet robots and Ghostbusters, try their hand at robotic surgery and play with planets, among 150 activities.

 

“Arizona has a passion for promoting STEM education, and the festival is a prominent example,” said Dr. Jeremy Babendure, executive director of the SciTech Institute. “Diverse partnerships are key to building a vibrant STEM ecosystem, which is exactly what the festival has done over the past decade. We are grateful for the support, which has allowed SciTech to grow into the third-largest STEM festival in the country.”

 

Arizona State University will host Open Door events at each of its campuses throughout February. A full list of events can be found at SciTechInstitute.org.

  

2020 Sponsors

 

Presenting

  • Cox Communications

Platinum

  • Arizona Commerce Authority

Gold

  • Arizona Board of Regents
  • MAC6
  • AccountabilIT

Silver

  • Arizona Renaissance Festival
  • Freeport-McMoRan Foundation
  • Intel
  • Maricopa Community Colleges
  • State Farm
  • SRP
  • Univision Contigo
  • Zovio

Bronze

  • SciTech Institute
  • Arizona Green Living Magazine
  • APS
  • Arizona Parenting
  • PADT
  • iFLY Indoor Skydiving
  • ON Semiconductor

Copper

  • Arizona State University
  • Phoenix Business Journal
  • Bear Essential News for Kids
  • idloom
  • Goodwill Industries International
  • Fennemore Craig
  • Footprint

Titanium

  • Midwestern University

Foundational Partners

  • Arizona Board of Regents
  • Arizona State University
  • The University of Arizona
  • Arizona Commerce Authority
  • Arizona Science Center
  • Arizona Technology Council
  • SciTech Institute

Media Contact

Connie Weber, Arizona Commerce Authority, [email protected], (602) 845-1243

Dr. Jeremy Babendure, Arizona SciTech Festival, j[email protected], (480) 250-7764

 

About the Arizona SciTech Festival

The Arizona SciTech Festival is a statewide celebration of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Through a series of expos, workshops, conversations, exhibitions and tours held in diverse neighborhoods throughout the state, the Festival excites and informs Arizonans age 3 to 103 how STEM will drive our state through a grassroots collaboration of more than 800 organizations in industry, academia, arts, civic, community and K-12 education. The Festival is anchored at the Arizona Commerce Authority, in collaboration with additional foundational partners including SciTech Institute, Arizona Technology Council Foundation, Arizona Science Center, Arizona State University, The University of Arizona and Arizona Board of Regents. Visit azscitech.com for more information.

 

About the Arizona Commerce Authority

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on Twitter at @azcommerce.