In a world where Bigfoot and artificial intelligence rarely share the same sentence, let alone the same event, the Flagstaff Festival of Science boldly goes where no science festival has gone before. This year’s 10-day extravaganza promises to blend the mysterious with the futuristic, all in the name of scientific discovery.
A festival for the ages
For 34 years, the Flagstaff Festival of Science has been turning the community into a giant laboratory, minus the lab coats and safety goggles. Established in 1990, it holds the distinction of being the longest continuously running, entirely free science festival in the world. That’s right, it’s older than the smartphone you’re probably reading this on.
The festival’s mission is simple: to connect and inspire people of northern Arizona, particularly youth, with the wonders of science and the joy of scientific discovery. It’s like a TED talk met a county fair and decided to have a really smart baby.
Chrissina Burke, teaching professor at Northern Arizona University and president of the festival’s board of directors, describes the atmosphere at the event’s Science in the Park as “electric.” One can only assume she’s referring to the excitement and not any unauthorized experiments with the local power grid.
This year’s cosmic cocktail
The 2024 festival, running from September 20-29, offers a smorgasbord of scientific delights. Attendees can stargaze, explore northern Arizona’s natural wonders, and even join a search for Bigfoot. Because nothing says “science” like looking for a cryptid in the woods, right?
But the real headliner this year is artificial intelligence. Nara Logics CEO Jana Eggers will deliver a keynote address titled “AI: The Good, the Bad, the Beautiful,” presumably leaving “The Ugly” for next year’s festival.
The event schedule is packed, featuring workshops on everything from space and archaeology to ecology and water conservation. David Van Ness, an NAU assistant professor known for his innovative use of digital technology in art, praised the festival’s ability to put things into perspective. One can only imagine how his data-bent, stem-cell-coded self-portraits fit into that perspective.
As Meredith Brown, assistant librarian at Cline Library, puts it, “There is really something for everyone and for learners of all ages.” So whether you’re 8 or 80, fascinated by fossils or captivated by code, the Flagstaff Festival of Science has got you covered.
In a world often divided by differences, the festival stands as a testament to the unifying power of curiosity and discovery. It’s a place where Bigfoot hunters and AI developers can stand side by side, united in their quest for knowledge. And really, isn’t that what science is all about?
For more information and a full schedule of events, visit the festival website. Remember, in Flagstaff, for 10 days each year, everyone’s a scientist — lab coat optional, wonder required.
