2025 Event Schedule

Some events are limited, events with an asterisk (*) require registration. Please check back as the dates approach to see any updates to locations or times, any new events added, and guidance related to Festival events.

STEMonstrations – Activities at School
As part of middle school classes, we will be co-hosting Stemonstrations. Students can try some fun Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math activities, presented by local scientists and educators.  Participants this year include the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, Edge of the Cedars State Park, Utah Friends of Paleontology, Youth Garden Project, the Moab Museum, and USU! 

Molecules & Minerals 

6:30 PM – **Location TBD**

Attend a presentation on translating chemicals onto the Periodic Spiral. Then try it out with a mineral sorting activity! Led by local artist Abbi Zimmer

*Stay tuned*

Moab Mingle
4 – 5 PM ~ Moab Museum Lawn
118 E Center St, Moab, UT 84532
Join regional educators, geologists, archaeologists, paleontologists, biologists, astronomers, other scientists, and science aficionados on the Moab Museum Lawn (Center Street) for the Science Mingle. Light refreshments will be provided.

 

Walking with Dinosaurs: Screening and Q&A starring Dr. Joshua Lively

7 PM ~ Star Hall

159 East Center Street, Moab, UT 84532

Dr. Joshua Lively, Curator of Paleontology Prehistoric Museum in Price, Utah, was part of the dig team in the new PBS six-episode series Walking With Dinosaurs!
 
“The thing that excites me most about our involvement this series is that it highlights the important paleontological work being done right here in eastern Utah. Utah has one of the best fossil records on the planet, and lot of ground-breaking discoveries are being made by smaller museums like ours. I hope that Walking with Dinosaurs will ultimately increase the appreciation for Utah’s fossil resources and bring more attention and support to institutions that house those resources, like the Prehistoric Museum here in Price,” said Dr. Lively.

Geology Hike with Will Leggett*
9 AM – 12 PM ~ Location will be provided to registered participants. 
The Geology hike is led by NPS employee Will Leggett and is a long-time favorite of the festival. The hike starts at Powerhouse Lane and goes above Mill Creek Canyon so it is somewhat strenuous, but Will stops frequently to talk about the geology and how geologic forces forged Moab’s unique landscape.  Registration is required as space is limited.

Parking is limited – please carpool

Lichen Hike with Steve Leavitt*
9 AM ~ Sand Flats
Dr. Steve Leavitt of Brigham Young University (BYU) will guide a hike in Sand Flats exploring desert lichen ecology. Registration is required as space is limited.

Please carpool- parking is limited. 

Harvest Festival
3:00 PM ~ Youth Garden Project Harvest Festival
530 S 400 E, Moab, UT 84532
Join us at this year’s Youth Graden Project Harvest Festival with an interactive activity!

Biomechanics of Hummingbird Flight: Aerodynamics, Muscle and Skeleton Function with Dr. Bret Tobalske
6:30 – 9PM ~ Star Hall
159 East Center Street, Moab, UT 84532

Hummingbirds are the smallest vertebrates, the only birds capable of sustained hovering, and exhibit phenomenal maneuvering.  We will explore how they use their wings, muscles and wing skeleton to accomplish amazing flight performance.  In key ways, the evolution of hummingbirds has converged on insect solutions for flight.  Peak maneuvering is exhibited during escape maneuvers from looming threats.  Evolution often is the result of tradeoffs, and in the case of hummingbirds, their cruising flight performance is not as effective as that of their closest relatives, the swifts.

Arches GeoTour*
8 AM – 11 AM ~ Location will be provided to registered participants. 
The Arches GeoTour is designed to be a self-guided driving geology tour through Arches NP created by locals Chris Benson (USGS). For the festival we will caravan as a group and Chris will be available to answer geology questions at the various stops. For this tour folks will need to carpool because we have a limited number of timed-entry passes. Featuring six incredibly scenic stops, learn about rock layers, ancient environments and arch formations on this drive through Arches National Park.  Registration is required as space is limited.

Flood Walk and Talk
3 PM – 6 PM ~ Proper Brewing
Rotary Park

Why does Moab have a flooding problem — and what does that really mean?

Join local experts from Rim to Rim Restoration for a lively walk-and-talk along Mill Creek to discuss flooding as both a natural event and human hazard. Why does Moab flood the way it does, and why are floods here so unpredictable? What has Moab’s flooding looked like recently? What can we expect moving forward, and how can we prepare? We’ll discuss preparedness strategies for anyone whose home or property has been affected, or could be affected, by flooding (and how can you tell?).

Expect an eye-opening discussion about Moab’s creek corridors with a focus on low-tech flood protection options you can do yourself!

Science Trivia + Mingle
6 PM ~ Proper Brewing
1393 N Hwy 191, Moab, UT 84532
The best way to wrap up any festival is with Science Trivia! Gather clues throughout the week and team up with friends to compete in the final event, hosted by Moab Pub Trivia. The questions are written with a challenge level aimed at adult participants, but science-loving kids may enjoy teaming up with an adult to play, too.

Delight in a science weekend experience at the University of Utah’s Bonderman Field Station at Rio Mesa that includes science-focused activities on stars, birds, and more!

Departure for Rio Mesa
Saturday, September 28th – 3 PM
Details to be shared with registered participants
Saturday events include an orientation upon arrival, group dinner, astronomy, and more! Activities on Sunday give participants an opportunity to learn about lichen with Steve Leavitt, visit a bird banding station, and partake in a hike.

Departure for Moab
Sunday, September 29th – 1 PM
Pack up after lunch and return to Moab