Magnet Lab 12th Annual Open House - February 18, 2005, 10:00am - 3:00pm.
February 7, 2006
Contact:
Susan Ray, (850) 644-9651
sray@magnet.fsu.edu
Tallahassee, FL — The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory will hold its 12th Annual Open House on Saturday, February 18, 2006, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This popular community event offers activities for all ages, including hands-on science, self-guided tours of the laboratory, and interactive demonstrations.
A few of the highlights this year:
- Solar Proton Storm Display – flashy and intriguing experiment using light, color, and sound to demonstrate the "mysterious" Red Aurora Borealis. This demonstration will be presented by Michael Kasha, FSU Distinguished University Research Professor and National Academy of Sciences member.
- NASA Space Stations – interactive, kid-friendly comet activities, including a display of collection materials used on the NASA Stardust and Genesis Missions; "Build-A-Comet" with amazing pictures of Comet Wild 2; and "Draw Your Own Spacecraft" for landing on the Wall of Technology.
- Free Electron Laser Display – hair-raising, kid-friendly demonstration of magnets, magnetic fields, and electrons.
At the Open House, visitors get a close-up look-and a layperson's understanding-of work underway at the Magnet Lab. Scientists and engineers explain their activities in simple terms or demonstrate a basic science or engineering concept. Highlights also include chemistry "magic," a rocket launch display, a model MagLev train, a potato cannon, a science photography contest, and the return of the Great Magnet Lab Search Party. The Search Party is a fun-filled, family "thinking" activity solving several small puzzles that are clues to a much larger, grand puzzle.
The Magnet Lab is a world-class facility serving scientists from across the United States and around the world. While the Magnet Lab boasts a national and international focus, it is very involved with local, regional and state education efforts, including school group tours, outreach programs and curriculum products in use throughout the state. Many of the laboratory's Community Science and Education Partners also will be participating in the Open House with special events and activities, including a silent auction. Look for: St. Marks Wildlife Refuge, the Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science, Mary Brogan Museum of Arts and Sciences, FSU Science on the Move, Old Capitol organization, TLC Animal Service Center, Learning for Life, FSU Women in Math, Science, and Engineering, and many others.
Open House will be held in conjunction with the Center for Advanced Power Systems (CAPS), the laboratory's partner in technology. Some of the center's activities/demos include: electric and solar cars from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, superconducting nitrogen experiments and the Wakulla Springs electric boat. Parking is available.
Directions:
From Doak Campbell Stadium (intersection of Gaines Street and Lake Bradford Road): Go south on Lake Bradford Road to the third traffic light. Turn right on Levy Street and proceed straight until the road ends at E. Paul Dirac Drive. The laboratory will be directly ahead. Parking will be on the left on Levy Street. Handicapped parking will be at the front of the building.
From I-10 & Route 263 (Capital Circle Northwest): Take I-10 to Exit #196. Go South on Capital Circle Northwest. Continue through the intersection with Route 20. At the next traffic light, turn left onto Route 371, also known as Orange Avenue. Turn left at Pottsdamer Street and go approximately 1 mile. The Magnet Lab will be straight ahead when Pottsdamer Street ends at E. Paul Dirac Drive. Signs will direct visitors to parking on Levy Street. Handicapped parking will be at the front of the building.
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.
