Like in 2021, this year’s Family Open House will be completely virtual so kids and adults can experience America’s premier particle physics laboratory from the comfort of their own homes.
Mark your calendars: Fermilab’s 2022 Family Open House will take place Feb. 9–13 and will bring five days of virtual family friendly physics fun from the lab to the living room.
The annual Family Open House gives visitors an opportunity to learn about science in a fun, interactive way. Last year’s event drew more than 10,000 attendees over five days of virtual programming.
This year’s event is also virtual and will allow kids and adults to experience America’s premier particle physics laboratory from the comfort of their homes. To learn more and register for the Open House, visit the event information page.
The 2022 Open House will feature both synchronous and asynchronous programming. It will include virtual tours, talks, live-streamed demo shows, a community-created art gallery, and interactive activities that can be done at home.
The online format allows audiences to engage with the excitement of Fermilab science—locally, nationally and internationally—with no need to travel. Perennial favorites like the Mr. Freeze cryogenics show and Ask-A-Scientist will make an appearance via Zoom. Virtual visitors can also tune in to webinars on a wide variety of topics, including physics, art and ecology.
The virtual format will also offer an unusual chance to peek inside facilities such as the Quantum Lab and ecological goings-on that would be difficult to view in person (especially in February). It also makes the lab accessible to people who don’t live near the Batavia, Illinois, site. The event runs from Wednesday through Sunday, so there will be special opportunities for educators to engage with their classes on weekdays.
At 7 p.m. Central each day, a Facebook Live STEM story time will feature lab staff reading STEM-themed bedtime stories. Then, at 7:30 p.m., adults can enjoy featured programming such as talks on Why Arts and Music at Fermilab, the second installment of Arts and Lectures at Home’s How to Do Big Science series, and a Fermilab focused Pecha Kucha.
The five-day event will culminate with the second annual “iron scientist” competition on Saturday evening, when two Fermilab staff members will go head-to-head in a battle of homemade physics demos. Inspired by cooking shows like “Iron Chef” and “Chopped,” each competitor will receive a box of mystery items to use in their demonstrations. Whoever creates the most exciting homemade demo wins!
For more information, or to register for any of the live-streamed events, visit the event information page. You can also follow the Fermilab Office of Education and Public Engagement on Facebook or Twitter for live updates!
Volunteers are needed for the 2022 Family Open House. To participate, please contact Amanda Early at aearly@fnal.gov. To find out about more ways to volunteer for Fermilab EPE, contact edreg@fnal.gov.