By Bianca Hillier
The Ohio University Department of Physics and Astronomy 2013 Open House has a packed line-up filled with speakers, activities and events that faculty and staff say are sure to impress.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 19, at Clippinger Laboratories. The open house is free and open to students as well as the general public.
“The goal of the open house is to educate and entertain at the same time,” said Mark Lucas, associate professor of physics and the organizer of the open house.” The key is to have fun while learning more about the world around and a little bit about what we do as researchers.”
Lucas has organized the bi-annual event since its conception in 2005. The last open house was in 2011.
Highlights of this year’s open house include “To Wet or Not to Wet,” a nanoscience show that investigates “strange things that happen when things get really small,” Lucas said.
Charlotte Elster, a professor of physics, nuclear theorist and accomplished figure skater, will also be presenting on “Fun with Physics and Figure Skating.”
Volunteers who run the event’s activities are adept at catering to attendees of all ages, making the event a family affair for kids and adults alike, Lucas said.
“I love the way our Physics and Astronomy community of faculty, staff, students and researchers work together to make this wonderful event,” said Wayne Chiasson, the department’s administrator.
Perennial favorites like “Fun with Liquid Nitrogen” and “What NOT to Do With Your Microwave” will return to Clippinger his weekend.
Overall, Lucas hopes the event attracts not just families, but on-campus residents as well.
“(The open house is) a great chance for OU students who took or will take physics to see a wide range of demonstrations and actually get their hands on some of the equipment used in class,” he said.
More information on the Department of Physics and Astronomy 2013 Open House can be found at http://www.phy.ohiou.edu/openhouse/.
