For one weekend every March, the University of Arizona campus in Tucson transforms. Amid the booths of bestsellers and the talks by authors, a buzzing Science City rises at the east end of the U of A Mall during the Tucson Festival of Books, inviting visitors of all ages to engage directly with scientists, students and researchers who are shaping the future of our world. 

With more than 30 U of A departments and programs participating, Science City offers a hands-on look at the breakthroughs happening right here in the Sonoran Desert. From astrobiology to human kindness to adapting to arid lands and more, Science City bridges the gap between complex research and visitors’ daily lives. 

On the Science Stage, author and researcher panels will discuss subjects like the future of space and the body's healing mechanisms, and writers will hold book signings in the Science City Campus Store. The Science Café hosts experts discussing topics that affect daily life and our world. Visitors can take a seat in the shade and enjoy the conversations. The following information maps out six themed “Pathways” to help visitors navigate the exhibits and activities. 

Choose your own adventure: The discovery pathways.

Pathway 1: Space, Earth & the Cosmos. From Arizona’s deserts to distant worlds, the U of A is a global leader in space sciences.  

Visit: 

• Arizona Astrobiology Center Uncover the cosmic mysteries of astrobiology. 

• Lunar & Planetary Laboratory Explore the solar system and beyond. 

• Arizona Geological Survey Learn about active faults and earthquakes in Arizona. 

• Christopher Impey “Worlds Without End” The search for life in the universe at the Science Café. 

• Erika Hamden “Cosmic Questions” Conversation on wonder, responsibility and the future of space at the Science Stage. 

Pathway 2: Environment, Sustainability & Resilience. See how science helps us thrive in the desert and learn to live well in a changing world. 

Visit 

• Arizona Institute for Resilience Adapt to environmental change with science and community. 

• Office of Sustainability Test your sustainability knowledge with fun mini-games. 

• Campus Arboretum & Master Gardener Program The value and benefit of trees and plants. 

• Desert Legume Program Discover the importance and diversity of arid lands legumes. 

• Southwest Center on Resilience for Climate Change and Health (SCORCH) Desert climate and environment. 

• Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center (SWEHSC) Make slime. Learn about environmental health and DNA. 

• UA Department of Environmental Science Explore soil and water science. 

• UA Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Celebrate biodiversity and the ways it is studied. 

Pathway 3: Health, Medicine & the Human Body. Discover science that keeps you healthy at every age. 

Visit: 

• UA College of Nursing Learn, explore and play to keep your body healthy. 

• UA Health Sciences Fun tips and tricks for staying healthy, safe and active. 

• UA Family & Community Medicine Learn anatomy with Family & Community Medicine. 

• UA Department of Physiology Learn about pregnancy issues and how bodies use sugar. 

• UA Department of Neuroscience Neurons in motion! 

• UA Falls Prevention Program Step Smart, Live Safe. 

• UA College of Veterinary Medicine Dogs and you: the research. 

• University Animal Care See how biomedical research improves human and animal lives. 

• Recharge Room® Neuroscience research to help address trauma, anxiety, stress, and cognitive performance at the Science Café. 

• Physician-author Victoria Maizes “How We Heal” The body's healing mechanisms and its ability to restore balance after injury, illness or stress at the Science Stage.  

Pathway 4: Chemistry, Physics & the Invisible World. Get close to the big discoveries you can’t always see.  

Visit: 

• American Chemical Society Student Members CO2 much fun. 

• Microbiology Club Explore the unseen: the microbial world within & around us. 

• UA Department of Physics Discover the physics of electricity and magnetism. 

• UA Department of Mathematics Math is everywhere. Visit for fun hands-on activities 

• UA School of Mining Engineering and Mineral Resources Refining your own copper. 

Pathway 5: Mind, Behavior & Society. Understand how humans think, connect and communicate, and how research can answer life’s most important questions. 

Visit: 

• Kind Cats – Science of Kindness How kindness science fuels connection and change. 

• UA Department of Linguistics How do you language? 

• UA Department of Philosophy How would you answer life's most fundamental questions? 

• UA Eller College of Management (cyber awareness) Don’t get hooked — think before you click. 

• UA School of Journalism  Science communication for social good at the Science Café. 

Pathway 6: Culture, History & Discovery. Connect with research that lives beyond the lab with behind the scenes looks at university facilities. 

Visit 

• UA Attractions Discover information about University of Arizona museums and immersive attractions including Coit Museum of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, African American Museum of Southern Arizona, Mt. Lemmon Sky Center- Sky School and Arizona Mining, Mineral and Natural Resources Education Museum. 

• Coit Pharmacy Museum  The fascinating history of the Upjohn Pharmacy in Disneyland with exhibits on display at the Science Café.