Upcoming Event

STEM Community Day 2026

Join us for science fun at STEM Community Day on Saturday, September 12, from 1-5 pm at SLAC!

Register now
 


UPDATE: As of Aug. 10, registration for the event is full. Please submit the waitlist form if you are interested in attending if space becomes available due to registered attendee cancellations. 



STEM Community Day will be a fun-filled afternoon including:

  • Interactive demos
  • Engaging displays
  • Mini facility tours
  • Short science talks

Check out the photos from our 2024 event to get an idea of what the day will look like.

This event is free to attend and open to all ages, but registration is required by Sept. 4. We anticipate tickets will run out quickly, so please register as soon as possible. 

Contact: communityday@slac.stanford.edu


Jump to:      
Science demosFAQs   Coming to SLAC   Event flyer


Upcoming Event

STEM Community Day 2026

Community Day
Children enjoy interactive science demos
Sep 12
Date
Saturday, September 12, 2026
1:00–5:00 p.m. PDT

Science demos & activities

(subject to change without notice)

Participate in interactive exhibits and demos including:

  • Turn 2D shadows into 3D models

  • Roast marshmallows with the sun to learn how telescopes work

  • Use solar telescopes to view and learn more about the sun

  • Build your own liquid jet and learn about microfluidic samples

  • Learn how to use microscopes to observe interesting samples

  • Build and decorate your own mini telescope

  • Use your imagination to make fun and unique creations with Legos

  • Watch how ice cream is made with liquid nitrogen

    Demo times (20 mins): 1:05 pm | 1:45 pm | 2:25 pm | 3:20 pm | 4:00 pm | 4:40 pm

  • Learn how to use microscopes to observe interesting samples

  • Exploring how crystals take shape while enjoying a sweet treat

  • Measure the width of your hair using laser

  • Test out a variety of fruits and vegetables as battery sources

  • Find out how to blow up a marshmallow, make toilet paper fly, crush a soda can, and more using vacuum science techniques

    Demo times (22 mins): 1:10 pm | 1:45 pm | 2:20 pm | 3:20 pm | 3:55 pm | 4:30 pm

  • Understand how different sources of light look by observing rainbows through diffraction gratings

  • See electricity come to life by controlling electric currents with your fingertips using a plasma sphere.

  • Watch how polymers can be deconstructed into their building blocks using catalysts

  • Observe how a salad bowl cyclotron propels silver-painted ping pong balls round and round

  • Color your way through coloring sheets with fun science images

  • Build a tower out of foam blocks and launch a ball at the tower using a catapult

  • Watch your hair rise in an electric field charged by Van de Graaff generators

  • Watch short 3D videos at the KIPAC Visualization Lab 

    Video times (30 mins): 1:00 p.m. | 1:30 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. | 2:30 p.m. | 3:00 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. | 4:30 p.m.) 20 people maximum per show, first come first served. 

  • Look through virtual reality goggles to view RNA structures

  • See tracks of cosmic ray particles in a cloud chamber

  • Discover how to detect and count cosmic ray muons and visualize their tracks

  • View the LSST camera on hologram

  • …and more!


Science talks 

Each speaker will present their 10 minute talk three times, with a 5 minute Q&A after each talk. A raffle prize will be given at the end of each talk. Speaker schedule to be announced soon.

  • Speaker: Astrid Anker, Research Associate

    Finding a Needle in a Radioactive Haystack

     1:15 - 1:25 p.m. | 1:35 - 1:45 p.m. | 1:55- 2:05 p.m.

  • Speaker: Jenny Smith, Staff Engineer 

    Real-time Detection and Control of the World's most Sensitive Detectors

     2:30 - 2:40 p.m. | 2:50 - 3:00 p.m. | 3:10 - 3:20 p.m.

  • Speaker: Hannah Pollek, Mechanical Engineer 

    Say Cheese, Cosmos! Building the World’s Largest Camera

    3:45 - 3:55 p.m. | 4:05 - 4:15 p.m. | 4:25 - 4:35 p.m.


Facility Tours

  • Klystron Gallery Visitors Alcove 

    50 people maximum per tour, age requirement is 7 and older, closed-toed shoes are required, approximately 1 hour long

    Schedule: 1:20 p.m. | 2:20 p.m. | 3:20 p.m. | 4:20 p.m.

  • LCLS Far Experimental Hall 

    50 people maximum per tour, age requirement is 12 and older, closed-toed shoes are required, approximately 1 hour long

    Schedule:  1:15 p.m. | 2:15 p.m. | 3:15 p.m. | 4:15 p.m.

Facility Tours Process

  • Step 1: Get tickets at the Tour Sign Up Table. Tickets for both tour locations and all tour times will be available at the Tour Sign Up Table starting at 1 pm. Arrive early to secure tickets as we expect them to run out quickly.

  • Step 2: Important - Be at the tour bus pick up location at least 10 minutes before your tour starts, or your spot will be released.  Tour volunteers will direct you to where the tour bus pick up location is. 

  • Closed-toed shoes are required for all facility tours. The age requirements for each tour facility will be enforced. Minors must be accompanied by an adult at all times. If you have any questions related to tours, go to the Tour Sign Up Table. 

Frequently asked questions

(More FAQs will be added as the event date approaches)

 

 

Coming to SLAC

  • Identification required          
    Adults are required to bring a REAL ID (or other acceptable forms of ID) to enter the SLAC campus.
  • Free parking          
    SLAC offers free parking in our visitor parking lots.
  • Bags         
    In order for SLAC to provide a safe environment for the public and our employees, and expedite access to the event, no bags or backpacks larger than 12"x6"x12" will be allowed at the event. Exceptions to this policy will be made for all medically necessary items after proper inspection and for SLAC-badged staff.
  • Accessibility          
    SLAC facilities meet American Disability Act requirements for accessibility. If you need assistance, please notify our security officers as you enter SLAC’s main gate, and they will direct you to a parking area and assist or escort you to the event area.
  • Getting here           
    SLAC is located at 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, California, 94025. Please visit our Maps and directions page for driving directions.