NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The U.S. Department of Energy's Jefferson Lab is planning a public Open House on Saturday, May 1.
The Open House will give visitors the chance to see many of the facilities at the laboratory and talk with the scientists and technical staff who work on or run experiments. Visitors will learn about the $310 million upgrade project underway at the laboratory that will allow staff and visiting scientists to continue pursuing leading-edge nuclear physics research (studying the nucleus of the atom).
In addition to highlighting the latest research and technology developments at Jefferson Lab, the event will include a variety of hands-on, science-education oriented activities for the young and young-at-heart, provided by Jefferson Lab, local universities and other organizations. Jefferson Lab staff will give the ever-popular Liquid Nitrogen Demonstration throughout the day.
The Open House is free of charge and will be held rain or shine. Free parking will be at Canon Virginia, located at 12000 Canon Boulevard, in the Oyster Point area of Newport News. Follow the event parking signs onto Old Oyster Point Road to access the Canon Virginia parking lot. Visitors may arrive between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and stay until 4 p.m. Free charter buses will transport visitors between the Canon parking lot and Jefferson Lab (about a 4-minute bus ride) from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. The last bus bringing visitors to Jefferson Lab will depart the parking lot promptly at 2 p.m. From 2-4 p.m. the buses will only return visitors to the Canon parking lot. Students under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Security and ID checks will be conducted by officers before visitors board the bus.
The event is spread out over several facilities and requires walking. Seeing the accelerator requires taking multiple flights of concrete stairs. Seeing an experiment area requires walking down and back up an inclined truck ramp. Due to construction work underway in some areas, visitors will be walking on gravel or dirt surfaces instead of pavement. Wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and sunscreen or a rimmed hat and protective clothing. Shuttle buses will be available to carry visitors between many of the tour stops. Marked areas may be traveled on foot.
Please visit the Open House webpage for details: https://www.jlab.org/openhouse. Most of the facilities are handicap accessible, and handicap and group parking will be available at Jefferson Lab. For additional information, and to reserve parking for handicap visitors and bus groups, contact Michelle Lechman, Jefferson Lab Public Affairs, at 757-269-7617 or e-mail lechman@jlab.org .
Vendors will be selling light refreshments. Jefferson Lab's last Open House was in April 2007.
PSA Announcement:
Jefferson Lab Celebration of Science Open House, Saturday, May 1
Activities for all ages, hands-on science exhibits & cryogenics show, tour world-class research facility, hear about experiments and technology advancements underway at Dept. of Energy research facility. Event is free, rain or shine, outdoors, walking required. Free public parking at Canon Virginia, 12000 Canon Blvd, Newport News. Arrive 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., event ends at 4 p.m. Free shuttle buses. Security, ID checks before boarding parking lot bus. Most areas handicap accessible. Visit https://www.jlab.org/openhouse or call 757-269-7617 for details.