Fermilab Comes Alive with Sounds of Science at Family Open House

Families looking for an interesting science excursion may want to take a short ride Sunday out to Batavia and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fermi National Acceleration Laboratory.

Fermilab will host its annual Family Open House Sunday, Feb. 10 from 1 to 5 p.m. in Wilson Hall. The even will include hands-on science exhibits and tours of some of the lab’s attractions. No registration is required to attend the Family Open House and more than 2,000 people are expected to attend.

“We want to get kids doing activities that get them excited about science,” said Spencer Pasero, an education program leader at Fermilab in a news release. “We want them to come in, have fun, and think about science as something they could do.”

Highlights will include a performance by Jerry Zimmerman as “Mr. Freeze.” He will be demonstrating the “very” cool effects of liquid nitrogen, according to Fermilab. Kids can also check out Mike Cooke’s show “FUNdamental Physics,” while parents and older kids will enjoy Herman White’s historical talk “Great Science on the Prairie.”

On hand during the event will be about a dozen scientists who will be able to answer questions. They will be located on the 15th floor of Wilson Hall. While there, event goers can check out the spectacular view of Fermilab’s site and the surrounding area, according to Fermilab. In the atrium, families can enjoy a “physics carnival,” including interactive exhibits from students from five local schools: Naperville Central and Naperville North high schools, Payson High School, and Northside College Prep and Christo Rey Jesuit high schools in Chicago.

Fermilab will be offering tours of the linear accelerator and main control room throughout the day, and tours of the SeaQuest experiment will leave Wilson Hall at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Register online. There are a limited number of seats available for tours, and standbys will be accepted.

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