Connect2STEM returns Jan. 26 to the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix downtown campus, where youth of all ages and their parents can experience the wonders of science, technology, engineering, math and medicine.
The goal of the free event is to inspire kids about STEM careers. Hands-on activities will be set up from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2018 at 550 E. Van Buren Street, Phoenix (Fifth and Van Buren streets). More than 5,000 have already registered to attend.
Check out a recap video from last year’s Connect2STEM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCJ45ryj6V8
Sponsored by the University of Arizona in partnership with Cox Communications, it’s the kickoff event for the 2019 Arizona SciTech Festival, a statewide celebration of STEM held annually in February and March. Now in its seventh year, the festival is the third-largest science and technology festival in the nation.
U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton is scheduled to open the festivities at 10 a.m.
“We have been thrilled to see so many children exploring science on our campus,” said Allison Otu, senior director of Marketing and Communications for the college, who created the event. “The UA College of Medicine – Phoenix is committed to inspiring the next generation of physicians, researchers and STEM professionals.”
The cornerstone of Connect2STEM exhibits for the College of Medicine – Phoenix is a vast simulation room where children can learn from medical students how to intubate a realistic medical mannequin, take vitals, perform ultrasounds and practice surgery skills with the da Vinci surgical robot. At the Wildcat Play Hospital, little ones can give their stuffed animals annual checkups – just like their pediatrician.
This year, the University of Arizona Cancer Center will exhibit its giant colon. The 10-foot-long, 150-pound inflatable colon raises awareness about colon health, teaching how polyps can form and can eventually become cancerous if not removed in time.
There will be more than 150 fun science activities that include foaming toothpaste experiments led by students from the UA College of Pharmacy and cow eye and pig heart dissections led by medical students from the College of Medicine – Phoenix. Participants can play on a mini computer keyboard powered by a half-dozen bananas at Intel Corp.’s exhibit. The Arizona Science Center’s new Create Center will be on hand along with four arcade video systems build from scratch.
Children and parents will have the opportunity to interact with Suni the Robot, virtually fly an airplane in a flight simulator and make slime with the Arizona Ghostbusters. Drones, robotic dinosaurs, virtual reality technology, video games, space equipment and chemistry experiments are among other exhibits.
The event at the Phoenix Biomedical Campus will showcase exhibitors from all three of the state’s universities, including the Northern Arizona University Athletic Training, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy programs, and Arizona State University’s Graduate Association of Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Students.
Professionals from businesses and local community organizations will include the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, the Musical Instrument Museum, Barrett-Jackson Auction Co., Phoenix Herpetological Society and the Phoenix Zoo Arizona Center for Nature Conservation.
REGISTRATION ENCOURAGED: The event is free. Visit us at phoenixmed.arizona.edu/connect2stem to register and receive $10 off parking. All registered attendees will be entered to win an iPad Pro! Buy raffle tickets to win one of two round-trip Southwest Airlines tickets!
