Science takes center stage in Tucson Saturday

Downtown Tucson businesses, schools and museums will host “Science in the City” this Saturday — an afternoon of exhibits and discussions on scientific topics, ranging from the cosmos to the cocktail.

The event features free admission to the Tucson Children’s Museum, two-for-one admission to the UA’s “Mars and Beyond” exhibit and plenty of free demonstrations.

The event is hosted by 2nd Saturdays Downtown and the Arizona SCITECH Festival — a yearlong series of events highlighting science during Arizona’s Centennial year.

The main events will take place at the Children’s Museum, 200 S. 6th Ave., City High School, 48 E. Pennington St., Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave., Science Downtown, 300 E. Congress St., and the Interactive Park, on East Congress St. between Scott and Stone avenues.

The area’s scientific institutions, from the National Optical Astronomy Observatory to the International Wildlife Museum, will be represented.

As you walk between venues, you can stop in at one of 19 businesses that will host discussions and demonstrations, ranging from the “science of cocktails” at 47 Scott restaurant to the “science of music’ at the Chicago Store.

The main events run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. but you can start early at the Children’s Museum, which opens at 10 a.m. and you can stay later for a free show at Club Congress, presented by electronic artists Metrognome and Falcotronic from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.