CHANDLER, Ariz. – Curiosity takes center stage when the 15th annual Chandler Innovation Fair returns to downtown Chandler on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free, family-friendly event is hosted in partnership by the City of Chandler and Chandler Unified School District (CUSD), Arizona’s second-largest school district, and invites the community to explore science, technology, engineering, arts and math through hands-on learning and interactive fun.
More than 160 interactive exhibits will fill Dr. A.J. Chandler Park: Stage Plaza, showing local innovators, technology companies, artists and CUSD students who are shaping the future right here in Chandler. Live demonstrations, experiments and creative displays will introduce attendees to real-world applications of science and technology, many of which are taught in Chandler Unified classrooms.
Designed for families, students and curious minds of all ages, the Chandler Innovation Fair offers a unique opportunity to see, touch and experience innovation happening in the community, including student-led displays and experiments from CUSD schools.
Event sponsor Northrop Grumman will launch a model/static rocket every half hour and their scientists and engineers will have 20+ interactive activities throughout the day. Northrop Grumman also will have a kids’ passport activity, allowing participants to earn stamps as they complete each hands-on station.
Intel, Chandler’s largest employer, will have employee volunteers to provide students and families a hands-on STEM activity.
The one-day fair takes place in downtown Chandler, at 178 E. Commonwealth Ave., between Buffalo and Boston streets along Commonwealth Avenue. Free parking for the event is available at The Johnathan parking garage (south of Buffalo Street, east of Arizona Avenue), or The Alexander parking garage (north of Boston Street, east of Arizona Avenue). Street parking is also available.
The Chandler Innovation Fair (CIF) is part of the Arizona SciTech Festival, a statewide celebration promoting science and technology in everyday life and highlighting Arizona as a hub for innovation. During the event, select CUSD schools will participate in a competition for a $500 prize, with winning schools recognized at a Chandler City Council meeting this spring. Many CUSD students who had projects at CIF, have gone on to compete at the Arizona and International SciTech Festivals.
This year’s event sponsors include Northrop Grumman, Google Fiber, Intel, Microchip, NXP, Cirrus Logic, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, McCarthy Building Companies, AVNET, SRP, WM of Arizona, Microchip, PRIDE Group and GameTruck East Valley.
For a complete list of participating exhibitors and the event schedule, visit Chandler Innovation Fair. For more information, or event-related questions, the public may contact Odette Moore with the City of Chandler Economic Development Division at 480-782-3038, or Shannon Prince with CUSD at 480-224-3710.
Media contacts:
Stephanie Romero
City of Chandler, Public Information Officer
480-782-2231
Kimberly Guevara
CUSD Marketing & Communications
480-812-7655