Magnet Lab and Public Library Kick off Focus on Physics

January 7, 2005

Contact:
Pat Dixon / Maria Mena
(850) 644-4707 / 487-2665
pdixon@magnet.fsu.edu

Tallahassee, FL – A month-long series of activities and events focused on physics gets underway on Saturday, January, 15 at the LeRoy Collins Public Library in Tallahassee, Florida. The library, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, and the American Association of Physics Teachers are offering students, parents, and teachers exciting new resources and opportunities to explore physics concepts, important men and women in the field, and literary connections that enhance the understanding of physics. "Focus on Physics" is part of the World Year of Physics 2005, a worldwide celebration of physics and its importance in our everyday lives.

The kick-off event will be held on Saturday, January 15 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with interactive demonstrations, hands on activities, and book talks targeted to grades 4 through 8.

All children are invited to participate in the "Find Your Way to Physics – Library Quest" month-long physics treasure hunt. This can be completed as a class or independent project. All students who submit a completed form will be eligible to win a free book and participate in the grand prize drawing of a bicycle! The Library Quest form can be picked up at any Leon County public library or printed from the library's Web site (www.leoncountyfl.gov/library).

"Beat the Science Fair Blues," a program to help students and their parents plan and execute a science fair experiment will be held on Thursday, January 20 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Dr. B.L. Perry, Jr. Library Branch and on Saturday, January 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon at the Main Library, downtown. Each registered participant will receive a free copy of Guide to More of the Best Science Fair Projects and handouts. Registration is required.

The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (www.magnet.fsu.edu) develops and operates state-of-the-art high-magnetic-field facilities that faculty and visiting scientists and engineers use for research in physics, biology, bioengineering, chemistry, geochemistry, biochemistry, and materials science. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the state of Florida, the lab is operated by Florida State University, and its 330,000-square-foot main facility is located in Tallahassee’s Innovation Park. The magnet lab also has facilities at the University of Florida and at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico.