By Lori Dugan/EAC
THATCHER — Robots will roll. Rockets will launch. Hair will stand on end. The 2026 Gila Valley Health and STEAM Festival returns Feb. 27–28, inviting families across the Gila Valley to touch, test, build, explore, and discover together.
The free two-day celebration of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math kicks off Friday, Feb. 27, from 5 to 8 p.m. at EA Discovery Park. The excitement continues Saturday, Feb. 28, from 9 a.m. to Noon at the EA Thatcher campus. Blood draws will be available Saturday from 8 a.m. to Noon. Participants should come fasting.
On Friday night, Discovery Park transforms into a hands-on adventure zone. Kids can step inside the Star Lab Planetarium, feel static electricity crackle during a live Van de Graaff generator demonstration, experiment at interactive science stations, and look through telescopes at the Gov Aker Observatory. It’s science you don’t just watch — it’s science you experience. Food vendors Shiver Shack, Dark Sky Donuts, and Dug’s Blow N Smoke BBQ will be on site.
Saturday morning brings even more action. The Go Gold 1-mile and 5K Color Runs kick off the day in support of Nathaniel’s Childhood Cancer Foundation, sending runners through clouds of color. Families can get health screenings, climb into the Freeport-McMoRan haul truck simulator, tour EA’s allied health and STEAM labs, and collect stamps in a festival passport challenge for a chance to win prizes.
The festival began years ago as a community health fair led by Mount Graham Regional Medical Center, offering free blood testing and basic screenings. That commitment to community health remains at the heart of the event. In partnership with Mount Graham Regional Medical Center, free cholesterol and Hemoglobin A1C testing will be available Saturday morning, with EA students assisting under professional supervision. Blood draws begin at 8 a.m. for fasting participants.
Throughout both days, children are encouraged to ask questions, try new things, and imagine themselves as future scientists, engineers, health professionals, and innovators — while families take advantage of meaningful, free health resources.
“The best part of this festival is watching kids light up when something clicks,” said Aaron Burk, EA dean of STEM and allied health. “When they see that science is something they can touch and understand, it changes how they see themselves and their future.”
The festival is sponsored by AirEvac Services, Inc., CMI, The City of Safford, Eastern Arizona College, Eastern Arizona Science Initiative, First Things First, Freeport-McMoRan, Mount Graham Regional Medical Center, The University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Cooperative Extension Graham County, and additional community partners.
Admission is free and open to the public. The free two-day celebration of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math kicks off Friday, Feb. 27, from 5 to 8 p.m. at EA Discovery Park. The excitement continues Saturday, Feb. 28, from 9 a.m. to Noon at the EA Thatcher campus.
About EA
Eastern Arizona College is a rural-serving institution committed to expanding access to higher education and workforce training in STEM and allied health fields. Through innovative programs, industry partnerships, and experiential learning opportunities, EA prepares students for careers in healthcare, science, and emerging technologies. The college offers associate degrees, certificates, and a Bachelor of Science in allied health, thereby strengthening the region’s healthcare workforce.
