Magnet Lab Expands Annual Open House
July 14, 1998
Contact:
Kathy Hedick, (850) 644-6392
Janet Patten, (850) 644-0850
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory's 5th Annual Open House will be held on Saturday, October 3, 1998, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Joining the activities this year will be many of the laboratory's community partners in science and education, including ODYSSEY Science Center, Sea-to-Sea Program, FSU Chemistry, FAMU School of Architecture, St. Marks Wildlife Refuge, Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory, Tallahassee Democrat, and many others. In addition, the First Annual NHMFL Youth Science & Art Contest will be held in partnership with Leon, Wakulla, and Gadsden county schools.
The Annual Open House offers the public an opportunity to explore the expansive facilities of the Magnet Lab--the only laboratory of its kind in the Western Hemisphere and the largest and most powerful one in the world. Visitors to this once-a-year event can learn a little about the cutting-edge research and technology underway at the lab, meet the laboratory's faculty and staff, and gain an appreciation for the significance of this national resource to the Big Bend region and the State of Florida. This year's extravaganza will feature exciting new demonstrations, hands-on activities, a self-guided tour of the facility, and a "cool" new introductory video developed in collaboration with Sara Michaels of local radio station KOOL 107.1.
While the laboratory is an international center for research and technology, it is also a vitally important resource for education and regional economic development. In 1997 and 1998, the NHMFL hosted five major conferences that attracted over 1,000 visitors. During the last five years, the laboratory has booked more than 10,000 local hotel rooms. In addition, it has established numerous partnerships with area groups to communicate to people of all ages the excitement and importance of science and technology in our daily lives. Because of the extraordinary interest and attendance at the 1997 NHMFL Open House over 3,500 visitors the laboratory is expanding the day's activities to the grounds outside the building and including it's community partners in science and education.
The public and media are cordially invited to a fun-filled day of science, discovery, and even a little magic at the NHMFL's 5th Annual Open House on October 3rd. For more information, call 850-644-0311 or 644-6392; e-mail openhouse@magnet.fsu.edu. School groups and educators may wish to contact the laboratory's Center for Integrating Research and Learning at 850-644-9186 or Sam Spiegel at 850-644-5818.
The laboratory is located in Innovation Park, 1800 E. Paul Dirac Dr., near the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.
