Community Engagement
Discover our world beyond the classroom and research labs.
Here in Tucson, we live in an environment like no other place on Earth! Tucson is a geographic territory often called the "Sky Islands Region" because of our mountains -- islands of forest surrounded by desert seas. And our Sonoran Desert is home to an abundance of life that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth.
![a man looking out across Biosphere 2's artificial ocean](https://science.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/styles/az_card_image/public/images/Biosphere%25202%2520ocean.jpg?itok=BLvJviId)
Biosphere 2
Tour one of the world's most unique facilities dedicated to the research and understanding of global scientific issues.
![Flandrau Science Center Planetarium](https://science.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/styles/az_card_image/public/FSCP-Ext_6994b.jpg?itok=z-Pp9ydV)
Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium
Take flight in Flandrau's state-of-the-art planetarium theater to explore the marvels of our universe, from the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space.
![Gem & Mineral Museum](https://science.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/styles/az_card_image/public/dsc_0320-x3_0.jpg?itok=HLmvMu-U)
Gem & Mineral Museum
Located in the heart of downtown Tucson, shine your eyes on an exquisite collection of minerals, gemstones, fossils, and meteorite specimens from Arizona, Mexico and around the world.
![](https://science.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/styles/az_card_image/public/LTRR_0.jpeg?itok=D-d-11As)
Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research
Learn the stories that tree rings tell us about fire ecology, past climates, and ancient cultures. Free Exhibit Hall in the lobby of the Tree Ring Lab building and docent-led tours are available.
![Mt_Lemon_Telescopes_UA_SkyCenter](https://science.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/styles/az_card_image/public/Mt_Lemon_Telescopes_UA_SkyCenter.jpg?itok=cs1i-ycb)
Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter
See the stars like never before through the largest public telescopes in Arizona. The SkyCenter, at 9,157 feet in elevation, delivers an unparalleled experience of the night skies.
![GMT-2015-Mirrors](https://science.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/styles/az_card_image/public/GMT-2015-Mirrors1.jpg?itok=7dWcchxJ)
Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab
Experience an up-close look at the facility where the U of A builds the world's largest, most complex telescope mirrors for the world's most powerful optical telescopes. These lenses that reveal the universe are created under the U of A football stadium!