UNLV professors, students and researchers will participate in the Las Vegas Science Festival next week, a celebration of everything science, technology, engineering and math in Southern Nevada.

The festival, which begins April 29 and ends May 4, includes events around Clark County and strives to increase community awareness that science and technology is everywhere and critically important in our everyday lives. The festival also aims to encourage students to consider careers in STEM fields.

UNLV participants will appear on the following days:

Sunday, April 29

12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the UNLV Science and Engineering Building, 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy

Explore UNLV's state-of-the art Science and Engineering Building, a world-class environment for research and education. Follow the signs in the lobby for tours led by researchers leading the way in their fields.

Sessions include:

Volcano discovery

What causes a volcano to erupt or gold to form? World-class geologists demonstrate state-of-the-art imaging and equipment.

Ongoing tours from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., meet in the lobby

Braille technology

Learn about a new device to help blind and visually impaired users read Braille using a small, motorized device worn on a fingertip.

Ongoing tours from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., meet in the lobby

Robotic muscles

Meet researchers testing artificial muscles that may someday be used in robotics and biomedical fields.

1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in Room 215. 30-minutes tours with 15 visitors per tour

Alternative energy exploration

See large high-concentrations photovoltaic power units, hydrogen vehicles and a window performance test facility.

3 p.m. to 4 p.m., one hour tour, meet in lobby

Tuesday, May 1

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Claim Jumper restaurant, Town Square Mall, 6629 Las Vegas Blvd

Science Salon

UNLV graduate students and working scientists share their research, which tackles a variety of hot science, technology, engineering and math issues facing our community. This event is designed for an adult audience.

Saturday, May 5

10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Cashman Center in the Cultural Corridor, 850 N. Las Vegas, Blvd

Giant Science Expo

UNLV researchers and students will join hundreds of scientists in the free expo, which offers one-of-a-kind science and technology experiences and two big stages of science-themed entertainment.

At the event, researchers from UNLV's Transportation Research Center will bring the center's driving simulator. The Center, headed by engineering professor Pushkin Kachroo, uses the driving simulator in part to research distracted driving.

Visitors can drive the simulator while purposely distracted (texting, applying makeup, talking, etc.) to see how it affects their driving skills.

More Information

For a full list of events and more information on the festival visit: lasvegassciencefestival.com