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Friends of the Verde River is excited to participate in this year’s Verde Valley SciTech Festival and regional SciTech events, bringing hands-on science, creativity, and river education to community members of all ages. We hope you will join us at one or more of the events below!
Verde Valley SciTech Festival Kickoff Extravaganza
Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Science Vortex
Friends of the Verde River will help kick off SciTech Month with interactive STEM fun alongside more than 20 community organizations. Visitors can stop by our table to purchase educational books and participate in seed ball demonstrations. Seed balls are an important restoration tool we use to plant native grasses in areas where invasive species have been removed, helping restore healthy river habitats.
Otter Spotter Family Craft at Cottonwood Public Library
Date: Friday, February 6, 2026
Time: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Cottonwood Public Library
Families are invited to enjoy a special reading of “Otter Spotter” by local author Phoebe Fox. Friends of the Verde River staff will join the event to share information about the Otter Spotter program and the Young Birders Scholarship. After the reading, kids will have the opportunity to create their own tissue paper otters during a fun craft activity.
CVES Parent/Teacher Night – STEM Stations
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Time: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Location: Camp Verde Elementary School
Families are invited to enjoy hands-on STEM activities hosted in partnership with Science Vortex, Arizona Science Center, and Meteor Crater Education Alliance. Friends of the Verde River will participate alongside community partners to help introduce students and families to science-focused learning opportunities and environmental education.
STEAM It Up in Clarkdale
Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Selna Mongini Park
This hands-on STEAM event will feature a special reading of “Otter Spotter” by Phoebe Fox, along with a park-wide scavenger hunt and interactive activities for all ages. Friends of the Verde River will share information about the Otter Spotter program, and attendees can enjoy a live watercolor demonstration and paint their own river otter while learning about river conservation.
Audubon Fun Day
Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Sedona Wetlands Preserve
Hosted by the Northern Arizona Audubon Society, this outdoor event celebrates birds, nature, art, and science. Friends of the Verde River will be onsite with a table sharing information about the Otter Spotter program and demonstrating how water quality testing helps protect the Verde River ecosystem.
Prescott Regional SciTech Fest
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott Campus
This free, family-friendly festival features interactive science, technology, engineering, art, and math exhibits and demonstrations. Guests can explore hands-on activities throughout the campus and enjoy free planetarium shows offered during the event. A special show for young children and families, Our Friends the Planets, will be presented at 11:00 AM, while Uncovering Black Holes will be shown at 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM. Planetarium tickets will be available for pickup on-site during the festival.
Through these SciTech events, Friends of the Verde River hopes to inspire curiosity, stewardship, and community involvement in protecting the Verde River.
