“It’s a romance tale, darling just say ‘yes’” to honoring the MagLab’s “Science Eras” at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory’s 2025 Open House.
The Open House will highlight the phases of the globe’s largest and most potent magnet laboratory over its 30-year history — from dreaming, constructing and launching to leading and progressing — while gazing forward to the motivating future of magnet technology and discoveries.
The festivity will also weave in themes from Taylor Swift’s immensely popular “Eras” tour. You may “Shake It Off” during a quantum dance gathering at the base of the world’s mightiest magnet or embark on a scavenger hunt across the laboratory, gathering beads to craft a MagLab friendship bracelet.
The complimentary, interactive science festival is scheduled for this Saturday at the Florida State University-based MagLab:
SATURDAY, FEB. 22
10 A.M. – 3 P.M.
NATIONAL MAGLAB
1800 E. PAUL DIRAC DRIVE
TALLAHASSEE, FLA.
The Eras celebration arrives as the MagLab enters a new chapter under the leadership of Kathleen Amm, who assumed the role of lab director less than a year ago.
“I am incredibly thrilled to be a part of my inaugural open house as director of the MagLab,” expressed Amm. “I attended as a graduate student for the lab’s dedication and first Open House three decades ago, so this will truly be a complete circle moment for me.”
This gathering provides the public an opportunity to meet Amm along with other lab scientists and staff, observe the MagLab’s collection of world-record magnets, and engage in numerous mind-bending science demonstrations and activities.
Beloved demonstrations will make a comeback, including a revamped and even more powerful Potato Launcher, the astonishing Quarter Shrinker, ultra-cool Frozen Flowers, the super-strong Junkyard Magnet, and delectable Einstein’s Ice Cream, prepared right in front of you using ultra-cold liquid nitrogen.
Local groups, agencies, and organizations will join the festivities to express their passion for science and education, including Tallahassee Scientific Society, WFSU Public Media, the National Weather Service, and LeMoyne Arts.
Several neighboring laboratories will also open their doors, including the Center for Advanced Power Systems, the High-Performance Materials Institute, and the Aeropropulsion, Mechatronics, and Energy Center.
Adding to the fun and enjoyment, food vendors will provide meals and snacks ranging from hot dogs, pizza, barbecue, wings, and sandwiches to desserts like ice cream, snow cones, and Italian ice.
“This is set to be an incredible day,” Amm remarked. “It’s an honor to lead this laboratory and continue this fantastic tradition, which reflects our outstanding MagLab staff and the tremendous support we receive from the community.”
The Open House will conclude a week of events in Tallahassee focused on magnets. For the first time, the city is hosting an international Motor, Drive Systems and Magnetics Conference, promoting the MagLab to worldwide magnet technology companies. The conference, taking place from Feb. 18-20, will also introduce a new magnetically levitating sculpture inspired by the MagLab. This public art installation will celebrate Tallahassee as “The Magnetic Capital of the World,” a center for research and innovation in magnet technology.
Financed by the National Science Foundation and the State of Florida, the National MagLab operates the strongest magnets in the world, backed by expert personnel, researchers, engineers, and technicians. Nearly 2,000 researchers from across the United States and various countries visit the laboratory each year to investigate fundamental inquiries about materials, technology, energy, health, the environment, and the enigmas of the universe. The lab is based at FSU and also has facilities at the University of Florida in Gainesville and Los Alamos National Lab in New Mexico.
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