Science demos & activities

(subject to change without notice)

• Participate in interactive exhibits and demos including:

• Understand how different sources of light look by observing rainbows through diffraction gratings
• Watch how polymers can be deconstructed into their building blocks using catalysts
• Learn how particles from space go through your body with a cosmic ray detector
• Roast marshmallows with the sun to learn how telescopes work 
• Watch your hair rise in an an electric field charged by Van de Graaff generators
• Find out how SLAC takes “pictures” of molecules by building your own molecule and tracing its shadow
• Look through virtual reality goggles to view RNA structures
• Learn about environmental awareness through interactive games
• See electricity come to life by controlling electric currents with your fingertips using a plasma sphere.
• Observe how a salad bowl cyclotron propels silver-painted ping pong balls round and round
• Build a tower out of foam blocks and launch a small ball at the tower using a catapult
• Learn how to use microscopes to observe interesting samples 
• Find out how to blow up a marshmallow, make toilet paper fly, crush a soda can, and more using vacuum science techniques
• Color your way through coloring sheets with fun science images
• Watch short 3D videos at the KIPAC Visualization Lab (view times to be announced 20 people maximum per show, first come first served.) 

• …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

       Title: Finding a needle in a radioactive haystack

• Speaker: Jenny Smith, Staff Engineer 

       Topic: Real-time detection and control of the world's most sensitive detectors

• Speaker: Hannah Pollek, Mechanical Engineer 

       Topic: LSST Camera and the Rubin Observatory

Facility Tours

• Klystron Gallery Visitors Alcove 

  50 people maximum per tour, closed-toed shoes are required, approximately 1 hour long

• LCLS Far Experimental Hall 

  30 people maximum per tour, closed-toed shoes are required, approximately 1 hour long

Facility Tours Process

• Details on how to get tickets and the tour schedule will be announced soon. 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. 

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.

Event flyer

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