SE Valley Times

The City of Chandler and Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) are gearing up for the annual Chandler Innovation Fair, which will take place on Saturday, February 24 in Downtown Chandler. This free, one-day event aims to showcase the basics of science and its impact on daily life, with over 140 exhibitors from CUSD schools and local technology companies participating.

According to Odette Moore, a representative from the City of Chandler Economic Development Division, the fair will offer a range of hands-on activities for attendees. "Engineers and other working professionals, student makers, and innovators will be demonstrating new experiments and science concepts," Moore said. This will provide an opportunity for visitors to engage with the exhibitors and learn more about the exciting world of science.

One of the highlights of this year's fair is the presence of the 2024 NCAA Men’s Final Four Fan Jam Truck, courtesy of SRP. Moore encourages everyone to stop by and "show off your game and snap a photo with the national championship trophy!"

In addition to the NCAA Fan Jam Truck, Northrop Grumman, a leading global aerospace and defense technology company, will be launching a model/static rocket every 30 minutes. They will also have over 30 interactive activities on display for attendees to enjoy. Intel, Chandler's largest employer, will be hosting its Equity in STEAM Tent, where Intel employee volunteers will coach students and families on how to assemble tiny robots.

This year, ASML, one of the world's leading manufacturers of chip-making equipment, is a new sponsor of the Chandler Innovation Fair. They will be showcasing their work in the semiconductor industry, further highlighting the cutting-edge technologies on display at the event.

The neighboring Downtown Chandler Library will also be participating in the fair by opening up its interactive space, known as the Makery. During the library's open house from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors will have the chance to explore various makerspace machinery, including a 3D printer and a Glowforge laser cutter. The Makery is open to all ages and offers free access to its equipment with a library card.

Free parking for the event is available at The Johnathan and The Alexander parking garages, conveniently located near the fairgrounds.

The Chandler Innovation Fair is an integral part of the Arizona SciTech Festival, which aims to promote and celebrate science in our daily lives. Many CUSD students who participate in the fair go on to compete in the state festival. During the fair, a competition will be held among participating schools, with the chance to win a $500 prize. The winning schools will be honored during the Chandler City Council meeting later this spring.

The event would not be possible without the generous support of sponsors such as Northrop Grumman, Intel, ASML, and many others. Their contributions have made it possible to bring this hands-on science exploration to the community.

For a complete list of participating exhibitors and the event schedule, visit the Chandler Innovation Fair website. If you have any event-related questions, please reach out to Odette Moore at the City of Chandler Economic Development Division or Shannon Prince at CUSD.

For media inquiries, please contact Stephanie Romero, Public Information Officer for the City of Chandler.

With the Chandler Innovation Fair just around the corner, it's an event that science enthusiasts of all ages won't want to miss. Mark your calendars for February 24 and get ready to explore the fascinating world of science and innovation in Downtown Chandler.