The Las Vegas Science Festival is back

Justin Bowen

Wait, Rubik’s Cubes are science? Yep.

By Kristen Peterson

Wednesday, April 25, 2012 | 3:34 p.m.

Hoping to learn about Strip technology? What about that world-is-going-to-end Mayan calendar thing? Do both beginning April 29, when the Las Vegas Science Festival 2012 transforms our community into a Valley-wide laboratory and discussion hall.

From Fremont Street Experience’s Viva Vision Control Room to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, experts will discuss the science of NASCAR speed, the paleontology behind Hollywood’s blockbuster film industry, Big Bang theories and the physics of skateboarding, as well as offer a physics course while roaming Circus Circus’ theme park. Last year’s inaugural festival drew more than 15,000 participants, and that number is expected to grow as crowds turn out to learn about the nation’s largest stem cell cryogenic storage facility, visit a forensic lab, tour the Las Vegas Wash, watch Rubik’s Cube competitions and stroll the floor of the Science Expo at Cashman Center. It might be one of the few opportunities locals have to go behind the scenes at medical labs or find out just what it takes to operate Viva Vision’s 550,000-watt sound system and 12.5 million LED modules.