Upcoming Event · STEM Community Day

STEM Community Day 2024

Join us for science fun at STEM Community Day on October 5 at SLAC!

STEM Community Day is a fun-filled event that includes an action-packed program for all ages.

Interactive demos
Engaging displays
Short science talks
Mini facility tours
Fun photo ops
Refreshments & giveaways

Check out the photos from our 2019 and 2023 events to get an idea of what the afternoon will look like.

Registration is required by September 27. Attendance is free but capacity is limited, so register now.

UPDATE: As of Sept. 5, registration for the event is full. A waitlist form is available for those who are interested in attending in the event if space becomes available due to registered attendee cancellations.

Volunteers needed! Sign up by Sept. 13 here.
Contact: communityday@slac.stanford.edu

Jump to:
Science demos & activities Science talks Facility tours Coming to SLAC Event flyer

Science demos & activities

(subject to change without notice)

Participate in interactive exhibits and demos

Find out how to blow up a marshmallow, make toilet paper fly, crush a soda can, and more using vacuum science techniques
Demo times (22 mins): 1:10 pm | 1:45 pm | 2:20 pm | 3:20 pm | 3:55 pm | 4:30 pm
Accelerate a ball through a clear tube to demonstrate the atmospheric force that's around us
Learn how SLAC takes “pictures” of molecules by building your own molecule and tracing its shadow
Watch your hair rise in an electric field charged by Van de Graaff generators
View a model of the SLAC linear accelerator to learn how a free electron laser works
Drop a magnet inside an aluminum tube and watch it float down slowly
Turn on a light with just a pen, button battery and paper in a paper circuit
See objects with different temperatures using an infrared camera
Test out a variety of fruits and vegetables as battery sources
Learn how particles from space go through you with a cosmic ray detector
Watch how polymers can be deconstructed into their building blocks using catalysts
Create your own roller coaster track and let a marble take a thrilling ride
Find out the speed of light in your kitchen with chocolate
See how a salad bowl cyclotron propels silver-painted ping pong balls round and round
Make your own lava lamp and watch the mesmerizing bubbles through a simple chemical reaction
Build a tower out of foam blocks and launch a small ball at the tower using a catapult
Look through virtual reality goggles to view RNA structures
Learn about quantum from using a gyroscope
Gaze at the sun safely under a giant solar viewer with family and friends
Build your own boat and watch how just a rubber band propels it forward
Color your way through coloring sheets with fun science images
Learn how density is used to sort mixed plastics into as few piles as possible for recycling
Play Jenga to learn about SLAC's sustainability goals and plant seeds to take home
Observe different colors and wavelengths of light through diffraction glasses
View the LSST camera on hologram and pick up a copy of the LSST camera poster
Bubble time! Make round and square bubbles
Watch short videos in 3D at the KIPAC Visualization Lab (1:00 p.m. | 1:30 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. | 2:30 p.m. | 3:00 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. | 4:30 p.m.) 20 people maximum per show, first come first served.

Science talks

Each speaker will present their same talk three times, with a 5 minute Q&A after each talk. A raffle prize will be given at each talk.

Speaker: Caterina Vernieri, Assistant Professor in Particle Physics and Astrophysics at Stanford

A Camera for the Invisible: Bringing the Higgs Boson into Focus

1:15 - 1:25 p.m. | 1:35 - 1:45 p.m. | 1:55- 2:05 p.m.

Speaker: Taran Driver, Staff Scientist at SLAC's Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS)

Freezing Electrons in Motion with the World's Fastest X-Ray Camera

2:30 - 2:40 p.m. | 2:50 - 3:00 p.m. | 3:10 - 3:20 p.m.

Speaker: Axel Levy, PhD candidate in Electrical Engineering at Stanford

Capturing the Dance of Proteins with AI-powered Vision

3:45 - 3:55 p.m. | 4:05 - 4:15 p.m. | 4:25 - 4:35 p.m.

Facility Tours

Klystron Gallery Visitors Alcove (50 people maximum per tour, age requirement is 7 and older, closed-toed shoes are required)
Schedule: 1:20 p.m. | 2:20 p.m. | 3:20 p.m. | 4:20 p.m.
LCLS Far Experimental Hall (30 people maximum per tour, age requirement is 12 and older, closed-toed shoes are required)
Schedule: 1:15 p.m. | 2:15 p.m. | 3:15 p.m. | 4:15 p.m.

Facility Tours Process

Step 1: Get tickets at the Tour Sign Up Table. Tickets for both tour locations and all tour times will be available at the Tour Sign Up Table starting at 1 pm. Arrive early to secure tickets as we expect them to run out quickly.

Step 2: Important - Be at the tour bus pick up location at least 10 minutes before your tour starts, or your spot will be released. Tour volunteers will direct you to where the tour bus pick up location is.

Closed-toed shoes are required for all facility tours. The age requirements for each tour facility will be enforced. Minors must be supervised by an adult at all times. If you have any questions related to tours, go to the Tour Sign Up Table.

Coming to SLAC

Identification required
Adults are required to bring a photo ID to enter the SLAC campus.
Bags
In order for SLAC to provide a safe environment and expedite access to the event, no bags or backpacks larger than 12"x6"x12" will be allowed at the event.
Free parking
SLAC offers free parking. Please anticipate a 5-10 minute walk from the parking area to the event area.
Accessibility
SLAC facilities meet American Disability Act (ADA) requirements for accessibility. If you need ADA assistance, please notify our security officers as you enter SLAC’s main gate.
All participants including SLAC staff must stay in designated areas only during the event. Areas include: Building 53 - 1st floor lobby, Trinity room, orientation theater and outdoor area near main entrance, large and small patios, 2nd floor cafe and cafe patio. Building 51 - 1st floor patio, lobby and auditorium, 2nd floor 3D visualization lab. Main Quad.