UA Museum’s Innovation Fair Looks to the Future

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The West Alabama community is invited to explore the future of technology and innovation during the first Innovation Fair at the Alabama Museum of Natural History on The University of Alabama’s campus.

The event, which will be from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 26, is the final installment of the museum’s Science Sunday year-round program.

“Over the course of the year, museum and University experts have looked at the history of the universe from the Big Bang to the advent of agriculture here on Earth,” said Allie Sorlie, the museum’s education outreach coordinator. “This Innovation Fair takes it to the next step. We will look to the future to discover technologies and innovations on the horizon.”

Visitors from campus and the community will be available to share their advances and show some of the research and innovations they have been working on, providing community members a great opportunity to learn about, and become acquainted with, up-and-coming research.

Event attendees will learn about 3D printers and scanners, 3D imaging and modeling software, computer modeling for waterways and technology being used in archaeology and anthropology.

There will also be hands-on building activities for participants. Participants will have their turn at engineering challenges, circuit building and construction challenges. While the overall event is free, there will be a $3 fee for the hands-on portion.

“Science Sunday looked into deep history,” Sorlie said. “It’s important to learn where we came from to understand where we are going. This event gives people a chance to take a look at where we are going.”

UA’s Alabama Museum of Natural History is in Smith Hall near the Quad at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Capstone Drive on The University of Alabama campus.