2026 Tucson Festival of Books: SCORCH and Partners at the TFOB "Science of You" Neighborhood
SCORCH affiliated MEZCOPH graduate student Ozlem Erol engages a festival goer in the climate and health spin-the-wheel trivia activity.
Photo courtesy of Imran Mithu, SCORCH Graduate Research Associate
The SCORCH team once again joined partners from the Pima County Health Department and City of Tucson at a city-wide event, this time at the 2026 Tucson Festival of Books’ Science City “Science of You” neighborhood on March 14-15, 2026.
Against the backdrop of a record-breaking extreme heat event with temperatures reaching over 100°F, shattering the previous March record, team members engaged festival goers of all ages in conversations about extreme heat. Throughout the weekend, more than 2,000 attendees stopped by our tables to learn about heat risk and prevention, what actions they can take to protect themselves and their loved ones — parents, grandparents, children, and pets. Attendees tested their knowledge on a spin-the-wheel climate and health trivia game that featured questions about understanding local extreme weather risks like wildfires. This upbeat and educational activity was a huge success with the youngest festival goers as small children gathered around the wheel, eagerly awaiting their turn to spin and win stickers!
Beyond the trivia wheel, the SCORCH team prepared additional hands-on activities designed especially for children. They could work through a heat-safety themed word search puzzle, hunting for terms like “hydration,” “scorch” and “sunscreen,” and take-home coloring and drawing sheets. These activities are a way for families to continue the conversation at home on key heat safety messages through play and creativity.
SCORCH students used the game as a launching pad for conversations, shared relevant print resources on cooling centers and heat safety, and highlighted the region’s efforts to build resilience to ever hotter, ever longer summers. Our faculty and students shared their passion for science with curious minds and seized the opportunity to translate their work into hands-on learning experiences for community members and families.
The Pima County Health Department’s Office of Heat also connected with the community throughout the festival. In addition to connecting festival goers with local cooling and hydration resources, their team discussed how certain medications can increase heat sensitivity, emphasizing the importance of hydration, rest, and early recognition of heat-related illness. The Office of Heat promoted its Summer Preparedness Checklist to encourage residents to plan ahead for heat and other seasonal hazards and highlighted the value of preparing before the first major heat wave, monsoon, flooding, or power outage by taking actions such as checking home cooling systems and assembling simple emergency kits.
Similarly, our City of Tucson Climate Action Team partners shared information about extreme heat preparedness and the City’s broader climate resilience efforts. Staff provided guidance on recognizing and responding to heat-related illness and shared resources to help residents stay safe during extreme heat. Families and children visiting the booth participated in interactive drawing activities where youth illustrated what extreme heat looks like in their communities and how they stay cool during hot summer days. These activities created opportunities for conversations about how extreme heat affects daily life in Tucson and highlighted the importance of preparing communities for hotter summers.
- How certain medications can increase heat vulnerability by impacting how well the body regulates temperature and maintains fluid balance as well as blood pressure, potentially increasing the risk of heat-related illness. Key messaging encouraged people to consult with their healthcare providers about heat safety and medication management. Resource – Don't Overheat: Know Your Medications Information Sheet for Individuals (Arizona Heat & Medications Taskforce)
- Why this early-season heat is especially concerning, even for individuals who may have lived in Tucson or the desert Southwest for a long time. Because our bodies are not accustomed to the heat so early in the year, we might not have begun to consider necessary precautions such as wearing light clothing and staying indoors during extremely high temperatures. We may also still be engaging in outdoor spring activities and strenuous exercises (e.g., biking, hiking). PDHD staff delivered important messages to be alert to the dangers of extreme heat for yourself and your loved ones. Resource – PCHD "What Color is Your Pee? Stickers; Prepare: Summer Safety Checklist (PCHD Beat the Heat Campaign)
- Actions that individuals can take to protect themselves and their families from the heat include taking practical steps such as wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, staying well hydrated throughout the day, being signed up to receive extreme heat warnings, and avoiding outdoor activities between 10am to 8pm whenever possible, especially for young children, older adults, and pets. It’s also important to check on your loved ones and neighbors who are living alone and to be aware of the signs of heat stress and heat exhaustion, taking immediate steps to get help when they are recognized. Prevention is key. Resources – PCHD Heat Person Card (heat exhaustion versus heat stroke); Extreme Heat Warnings Sign-Up (Arizona Department of Health Services & National Weather Service)
- Finding and understanding cooling centers, community spaces such as libraries, community centers, and churches with air conditioning, that people can visit during periods of extreme heat. Your local cooling center may also provide free water and other support services. PCHD encourages everyone to know where their nearest cooling center is before the heat season is in full swing. Resource – Cooling Center Maps (Pima County Heat Relief Network)
Events like the Tucson Festival of Books provide a great opportunity to share information on heat risk prevention before temperatures begin dramatically increasing. As Tucson prepares for what is expected to be another long and intense heat season, the conversations sparked over the weekend and the resources shared hopefully fortified individuals, families, and our community to better meet these challenges.
