When it comes to its annual Family Open House, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia is sticking to its virtual formula.
“Last year’s virtual open house allowed us to engage with over 10,000 people from across the world,” said Amanda Early, senior education program leader. “We were very pleased with the success of the event, particularly with the way we have been able to use the content we created for the event to engage with schools across the country through our virtual classroom presentations and other programs like our monthly Virtual Ask-a-Scientist program.”
When the typically in-person event was forced to go virtual last year — thanks to the pandemic — the silver lining was its significantly expanded reach. Instead of hosting 4,000 local physics fans on a Saturday, the five-day online event drew more than double the participants from all over the globe.
So Fermilab is keeping things virtual. Running Feb. 9 to Feb. 13, this year’s Virtual Family Open House offers a variety of presentations, tours, talks, demos and activities, on both STEM topics in general and Fermilab specifically.
All are free, although some require advance registration. While some of the content will be on-demand, be sure to register in advance for the live events at ed.fnal.gov/events/openhouse/.
“It is important to continue this event in a new format because Fermilab continues to make incredible advances in science and technology, and with the virtual format, we are able to share our science with an increasingly national and international audience — which is very exciting,” Early said.
Fermilab’s work involves research on quantum science, muons, neutrinos, dark matter and dark energy, including the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment. During the open house, participants can log on for tours to discover places not usually seen by the public.
“The virtual tours we are featuring are a virtual driving tour of the Fermilab site, where participants can get a behind-the-scenes look of the Fermilab campus and learn all about our science,” Early said. “We will take a look at what the natural areas look like in the winter with our virtual ecology tour, highlighting our work as a National Environmental Research Park, and we will give a behind-the-scenes virtual tour of the Muon g-2 experiment — the collaboration had their first results announced in April.”
The lineup also includes the Mr. Freeze Cyrogenics show, an Iron Scientist competition, career panel, “Ask-an-Engineer: A World Without Atmosphere” session, Fermilab trivia contest, classroom presentations, and Q&As.
“I’m really excited about the kids interviewing lab staff, the STEM bedtime stories and the virtual Art Gallery,” Early said. “I’m also excited to hear each of the evening talks and having the opportunity to engage classrooms through this event.”
Looking for some hands-on projects for school or home? From building an electromagnet to a DIY lava lamp, instructions and videos for physics-based activities will be posted as well, with new activities shared each day for a variety of grade levels.
Fermilab’s Virtual Family Open House
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When: Feb. 9 to Feb. 13
Where: online
Tickets: free
Information: ed.fnal.gov/events/openhouse/
Jen Banowetz is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.