Physics Department to Host Open House for All Ages

OGDEN, Utah — The 10th annual Physics Open House is expected to draw hundreds of people to Weber State University for demonstrations, lab experiments and planetarium shows on Oct. 14 from 6-9 p.m.

The Department of Physics in the College of Science will host the open house in various rooms of the newly constructed Tracy Hall Science Center. This free event is open to the public and suitable for all ages.

“This is an opportunity to give back to the community for supporting our department,” said John Armstrong, associate physics professor. “It is a way to celebrate science and physics and share our excitement.”

The open house will feature presentations and interactive activities conducted by WSU physics faculty and students. Professors Adam Johnston and Colin Inglefield will perform demonstrations featuring levitating billiard balls and disappearing test tubes. Physics professor Ron Galli will answer the age-old question: “Why do cats always land on their feet?”

Additional Physics Open House activities will include:

The event will be held in the new Tracy Hall Science Center.
  • Building your own air rocket
  • Lab experiments
  • Electric car information booth
  • Physics displays in the atrium
  • Scanning electron microscope demonstrations
  • Outdoor activities from WSU’s Science in the Parks

This year’s open house will also provide guests the opportunity to explore WSU’s new physics facilities in the Tracy Hall Science Center. Building tours will be offered during the event.

Since its inception in 2007, the Physics Open House has had a strong community interest and participation. The open house has attracted as many as 1,600 people in past years, and Armstrong credits the event’s success to its engaging and unique activities.

“I think it’s so popular because we have a serious amount of fun, and the subject is very interesting to people,” Armstrong said. “When else can you hang out in physics labs and look through telescopes?”

For a complete schedule of events, visit facebook.com/weber.state.physics.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Author:

Rachel Badali, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7295 • rachelbadali@weber.edu

 

Contact:

John Armstrong, associate physics professor
801-626-6215 • jcarmstrong@weber.edu