AZSciTechfestival

Tempe is known for its technology companies, its entrepreneurial and innovative spirit, and groundbreaking research at Arizona State University and many other colleges. And, of course, if there’s one thing Tempe knows, it’s how to throw a party.

In partnership with the Downtown Tempe Community, Arizona State University, LaunchSpot and the Business Journal, join us for Geeks’ Night Out – the Science of Fun. We’re blending science, technology and fun to celebrate the Arizona SciTech Festival. Best of all, everything is free.

Geeks are really important to Tempe. About 20 percent of the jobs in our city are tech-related. We are, perhaps, the most tech-heavy town in Arizona, depending on how you slice it. We love geeks. They're smart, fun and want to change the world for the better. They've cured diseases, built robots, and yes, even helped us get to Mars.

Help us celebrate all things GEEK! Be part of a very special Third Thursday on Mill Avenue on Feb. 16 from 5 to 10 p.m., themed to bring out the curiosity within. There’s science behind everything you love and we want to show you how it works. From science fiction to the business of science and everything in between, we’re celebrating smarts. Join us. It’s fun, smart and very Tempe.

Square off in the Pop Culture Paradise trivia competition. Topic: Star Trek vs. Star Wars. Win cool prizes with

your supreme knowledge. We’ll take submitted questions to be considered for the battle of knowledge – email them to morethancomics@yahoo.com.

Evil Controllers is bringing their coolest new game controllers to MADCAP Theatres for you to try out. Play video games on a movie screen using controllers that can help you get to the next level of play. They have short cuts for firing 100 times with the push of a button and other devices to get you bonus points. If you have a physical disability, Evil Controllers might not be so bad - they create custom controllers that can be operated by your head.

GameTruck has been operating mobile video game theaters in the Valley for over 5 years with over 50 franchises nationwide. Come play with us as we show off the latest multiplayer video games in our state of the art environment. GameTruck will also be demonstrating Evil Controllers so you can experience gaming with the industry leader in modded controllers. The truck is wheelchair accessible.

Boys and Frogs will bring their music video show to Third Thursday, presented by the Downtown Tempe Community. We'll project their music video against the wall of MADCAP - and win your chance to show your video there, too.

Learn more about stars, galaxies, nebulae and other celestial objects with ASU’s astronomy program. If conditions are right, you might spy the Rings of Saturn, a flare star or a globular cluster through one of their telescopes.

The Fulton School of Engineering at ASU is adding to the celebration with events at the Brickyard that are guaranteed to intrigue and could include a sampling of the many programs the school is known for, such as robot building and the Decision Theater.

Check out full-size replicas of R2-D2 and other Astromech Droids with the R2-D2 Builders Club. With more than 10,000 members in 30 countries worldwide, the club’s replicas have appeared on behalf of Lucas Films in Deal or No Deal, The Rose Bowl Parade, The Fiesta Bowl Parade, movie premiers, sports events, Star Wars in Concert, the White House, Halloween events and the Today Show.

They’ll lead a tour of Monti’s

Restaurant, reported to be haunted, at 8 p.m., if you sign up with them at their booth.

The Arizona Ghostbusters are ready to believe you! Check out this group of do-gooders in ghostbusting swag. See the proton packs and check out the rest of their gear.

Dress like your favorite inventor, invention, science project gone wrong, whatever. Show off your Star Trek and Star Wars gear. We want to see your favorite SciFi costume on Mill Avenue! Strut your scientific stuff in front of MADCAP Theater and we’ll post your photo online. Costume contest at 8 p.m. Prizes and trophies.

Beginning at 8 p.m., local comic book author and artist Shelby Robertson will share his experiences with melding traditional and digital art technology to create graphic novels, comic books and posters. Now with American Dischord, Robertson got his start illustrating for British Aeronautics Magazine at the age of 15.

Robertson has worked on more than 30 major titles, for Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Malibu, Avatar, Verotik, and a handful of independent publishers. Commissioned graphic novel works include Spider-Man, X-Men, Green Lantern, Superman and Daredevil. This signing is brought to you by Pop Culture Paradise.

Chris Wood, a Mesa resident, is the artist for Bad Aces Cards, among other lines.

Science Detectives

Science Detectives is an after school science outreach program created by ASU undergraduates. Elementary school students participate in hands-on lessons that explore real-world applications of physics, biology, chemistry, and mathematical analysis. We'll be preparing a special table for Geeks Night Out. It will be fun for the whole family!

Arizona Pop Culture Experience

The Arizona Popular Culture Experience (AZPCE) is a collection of more than 10,000 collectibles acquired during the last 40 years. AZPCE is focused on encouraging kids to learn more about science, reading and history through popular culture.

Fashion Your Way

Get a special Geeks' Night Out 2012 shirt custom made by BrandX. Personalize yours on the spot.

A panel of well-known entrepreneurs will share the stories of their success and relate what it takes to become a business leader today. Included in this panel are: Jaime Casap, Google; Steve Mihaylo, Inter-Tel and Crexendo; Jeff Pruitt, Tallwave; Matt Kim, QuantTerra and Adam Coe of Evil Controllers. Moderated by publisher Don Henninger of the Phoenix Business Journal. No registration - limited to available seating. University of Advancing Technology will record the panel for broadcast on Tempe 11.

LaunchSpot technology incubator and ASU Venture Catalyst are providing a platform for inventors and researchers to present their ideas to some of the top

entrepreneurs in the world including: Steve Mihaylo, Inter-Tel and Crexendo; Jeff Pruitt, Tallwave; Matt Kim, QuantTerra; Luke Smith, ASU Edson Mentor and Allan Kaplan, KG Investments. The two best presentations will win office and mentoring packages at LaunchSpot valued at $5,000. University of Advancing Technology will be there, too, to record the moments for broadcast on Tempe 11. Moderated by technology reporter Patrick O'Grady of the Phoenix Business Journal. No registration - limited to available seating. http://rapidpitch.launchspot.com/

Xhibit, Sitewire Marketspace, Terralever, Techfinders and other Tempe tech companies have openings for web developers, mobile app developers and even some sales and administrative positions. Come introduce yourself and find out if you have what it takes to work for some of the coolest companies in town. Details: http://t.co/hs02o53I

Award-winning ASU authors Conrad Storad and Betty Davidson will share their children's books about desert critters. Bring the kids for a great experience. Changing Hands will have books for signing available after the readings.

See the latest medical breakthroughs and if you like, you can get a mammogram or a prostate screening. Schedule an appointment now at 480 964-3013.

Want to know where your water comes from and how it gets to your home? Tempe’s interactive watershed model demonstrates how water moves through the watershed and ends up coming out of your faucet when you turn on the tap. Come learn about the watershed and the Hydrological Cycle….. Did dinosaurs once drink the same water you brushed your teeth with this morning?

Like to eat? From beans and bananas to brews, we’ll show you how food happens - from compost in the field to groceries on the table. Sunflower Farmers Market will host a free screening of the movie, Food Matters, which discusses how the right diet can prevent disease.

What goes in the blue barrel and what goes in the trash? What happens to an aluminum soda can after you drop it in the recycling bin? Meet ERIC, Tempe’s mobile Educational Recycling Information Center – a 38-foot trailer filled with innovative and interactive opportunities to learn about the recycling cycle.

Learn about the science of composting and how Tempe is working with Singh Farms to turn the community’s green waste into nutrient-rich compost to enrich our neighborhood parks and gardens.

Tempe’s Household Products Collection Center will demonstrate why you shouldn’t store your pool chemicals along with brake fluid in a cardboard box. Or why it’s not a good idea to have, say, cleaning supplies, paint thinner and paper towels on the same shelf. Many common household products can be dangerous – to your family, your pets and the environment – if not used, stored and disposed of properly. Learn more about how you can help protect the earth and your family by making smart choices about household products.

Absolutely! There are many things for the kids to see, do and try. There are also things that are just for adults. Pay attention to the signs to make sure that you and your family pick the activities that are best for you.

It's on Mill Avenue at the end of Seventh Street, just north of University Drive. Here's a Mapquest Map for you: http://mapq.st/wJUoI9

The best way to get to the party is light rail. Two close stops are Third Street and Mill Avenue and Fifth Street and College Avenue

No reservations are needed or will be accepted for any of the events at Geeks' Night Out. Everything is free and first-come, first-serve. Get here early for best seating.

There are dozens of restaurants that would love to see you. They all will welcome people in costume. Some may join in the fun themselves with drink specials or their own Jedi attire.

Want to learn more about the Arizona SciTech Festival? http://azscitechfest.org/