Flagstaff Festival of Science — What makes the Festival the ‘Best 10 Days of the Year’?

This newsletter is brought to you through the support of Festival Sponsor:
W. L. Gore & Associates

Behind the Scenes of the Festival of Science

Are you curious about the Flagstaff Festival of Science?

The Festival is full of fascinating people, big ideas, and science you may not get to hear about during the event itself. Our Festival Insights blog gives you a closer look at the stories and science behind some of this year’s talks and activities.

Go a little deeper and learn more about the people, ideas, and science behind some of this year’s talks and events.

Get to know NAU’s Society of Automotive Engineers and the hands-on engineering projects they’re taking on. Explore the work of the Earthsight AI Consortium and how artificial intelligence is being used to better understand our world. Learn about Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery and the science behind efforts to bring wolves back to the landscape.

These stories—and more—offer a closer look at the people and science behind the Festival. Check out our Festival Insights blog at SciFest.org and get ready to see some of these stories come to life during the Festival!

Register for the Keynote today!

Ticket reservations close at 3:00 PM on the day of the event.

Vroom, Vroom, Vroom!
The NAU Community Music and Dance Academy will perform a ballet at 6:30 PM, inspired by the evening’s keynote presentation. Through movement, music, and inventive choreography, dancers explore cars and transportation, transforming the stage into a playful landscape of motion, momentum, and connection.

The 2026 W. L. Gore & Associates Keynote Presentation: Speed, Science & Human Ingenuity begins at 7 PM.

Go behind the scenes of Formula 1 with technology leader Kirk Dunsavage as he explores how science, engineering, data, and human curiosity drive innovation. From race cars traveling at 220+ mph to the lessons of Route 66, discover how creativity, resilience, and teamwork transform bold ideas into reality.

Dunsavage spent 27 years at Intel Corporation in technical and leadership roles, followed by two years with the Williams Formula 1 Racing Team as Senior Technology Manager and Head of Software Development. He currently serves as Chief Technology Officer at PRC-Saltillo, where he leads efforts to develop technologies that empower individuals with speech and language impairments to communicate and thrive.

Reservations are required.
Parking: Free parking is available in surface lot P13, behind Ardrey Auditorium.

Keynote Registration

The Festival Needs YOU!

Come volunteer with us!

The Flagstaff Festival of Science is powered by the amazing people in our community. We would love for you to help us make the Festival happen! Check out the opportunities below. If you are interested, please send an email to Program Manager–Gina Byars–at gina.byars@scifest.org.

Volunteer Opportunities

Keynote Volunteers: Friday, 9/25/26, 5:45 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Ardrey Auditorium on NAU Campus
Science in the Park: Saturday, 9/26/26 at Wheeler Park
- Set up: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
- Survey administration: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Clean up & break down: 1:30 p.m. -3:30 p.m.
Rt. 66: The Art, Science, & Soul of the Automobile: Sunday, 10/4/26 at Americana Hotel on Rt. 66
- Set up: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
- Clean up: 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

We look forward to working with you!

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