BIO5 presents Ventana/Roche Science Pavilion at Tucson Festival of Books, 3/13-14
(Tucson, Ariz.—March 1, 2010)—Enter the Science Zone, where adults and children can extract their own DNA, test their brain power, learn more about poison, and enter to win one of 10 Galileoscopes. While there, visitors can step over to the Science Stage for an assortment of talks, including a science writing workshop with six top writers. These activities and much more will take place in the Ventana/Roche Science Pavilion presented by UA’s BIO5 Institute with support from Research Corporation at the Tucson Festival of Books March 13-14, 2010 on the University of Arizona mall.
“An important part of BIO5’s mission is training the next generation of scientists. We also are interested, however, in increasing the public’s understanding of how scientists work, so that all of us can become aware of the increasingly complex challenges we face. We want to explain to all citizens how personalized medicine, targeted drugs, and rational use of modern biotechnology will make our lives better and help us defeat chronic and emerging diseases, conquer world hunger, and control global climate change,” says Fernando Martinez, MD, director, BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona.
Events for the Ventana/Roche Science Pavilion include the following. For the full, two-day Science Stage and Science Zone schedules, go to http://bio5.org/events/1476
SCIENCE ZONE
10am-5pm Saturday & Sunday, March 13-14
See Your DNA!. DNA is what makes you YOU. Learn about heredity and the structure of the ‘molecule of life’ while extracting DNA from your cheek cells. Guests will make-and-take a necklace with their own DNA.
Brain Works. Kick off Brain Awareness Week (March 15-21) and put your brain to the test with a collection of activities that explore neuroscience and the brain. Visit the ‘brain zoo,’ explore the power of the human brain, and participate in experiments that illustrate how your brain can play tricks on you.
Ick! Ouch! Is it candy or is it medicine? Do you know what to do when snakes, scorpions, and spiders attack? The UA College of Pharmacy’s Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center has helped Arizonans with all kinds of poisonings, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, for 50 years. Explore “look alike” demonstrations and get up close and personal with a live venomous creature!
Sunday, March 14: 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm
The Great Galileoscope Giveaway. Enter to win your very own Galileoscope, a high-quality, low-cost telescope designed in part by UA/NOAO astronomers. Use your Galileoscope to explore how optics work and see celestial wonders first glimpsed by Galileo 400 years ago! A total of 10 Galileoscopes will be given away to youth 17 and under.
SCIENCE STAGE
4 pm, Saturday, March 13
Science Writers Workshop. Whether you’re a writer interested in science, a scientist interested in writing, or a citizen scientist interested in how science is translated for general audiences, this workshop is for your. Experienced science writers share tips and insights into this fascinating genre. Hear Deborah Blum on finding general audiences by seeking the off-beat and unexplored; Becky Ham on making science reading fun for kids; Doug Isbell discussing how special interest topics can fit into special marketing niches; and Dennis Meredith talking to scientists about how to make your research topical, popular, interesting and marketable; and Daniel Stolte on making the most of UA science communication. Moderator James Cornell, president, International Science Writers Association, will lead this lively discussion.
11:30 am, Sunday, March 14
Dr. Martinez on The Mystery of Disease. Fernando Martinez, MD, has studied asthma for more than 25 years, and offers unique insight into this battle for the health of Arizona’s children. His experience as both a compassionate clinician and determined researcher is the basis for this thought-provoking discussion with one of the science writer workshop panelists. They will explore the potential of a book about Dr. Martinez’s research.
Background: The Tucson Festival of Books is a celebration of literacy where favorite authors gather to speak about their work and sign books. There are writing workshops and competitions, panel presentations, live cooking demonstrations, children’s activities, storytelling, artists and musicians. There is no admittance fee, and no parking fees at The University of Arizona. With the support of the Festival’s generous sponsors, all community members may enjoy this fun and exciting cultural event at no charge.
For more information: Deborah Daun, BIO5 Communications Director, Office 520.626.2059, Mobile 520.247.7440, ddaun@bio5.org