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The MagLab is funded by the National Science Foundation and the State of Florida.

Open House

MagLab Open House Banner

MagLab Open House is a free, annual event for visitors of all ages! Each year in February, we invite the public to explore the world's largest & highest-powered magnet lab, engage with nearly 100 hands-on demonstrations and meet our scientists and researchers. 

When: Saturday, February 27, 2027 - 10am until 3pm

Where: National MagLab Headquarters Location - 1800 E. Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32310 - View Google Map

Admission: FREE!

Open House is FREE & open to visitors of all ages! This is your chance to explore the world's largest and highest-powered magnet laboratory, engage with one-of-a-kind science demonstrations, meet MagLab scientists, and learn about the physics, chemistry, biology, engineering and other research that takes place at the lab year-round.

It's like a science festival in our working laboratory! Plan to come early and stay all day to experience the nearly 100 activities and exhibits like the Quarter Shrinker, Potato Launcher, Cryo Flowers, Junkyard Magnet, and a taste of Einstein's Ice Cream.

Check back for our 2027 Open House theme announcement! Coming soon... 

2027 Community Partners

Registration will open for Community Partners soon. If you are interested in being a community partner at MagLab Open House, please email us at publicaffairs@magnet.fsu.edu.

2027 Food Truck

Check back soon to learn about the delicious food options at 2027 Open House. 

Support Open House

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for a future Open House event, please contact us at publicaffairs@magnet.fsu.edu or make a donation online to support more dynamic hands-on STEM education and outreach experiences.

Open House Image Gallery

Credit: National MagLab

Virtual Open House

Can't make it to the live event? Explore our more than 20 free virtual events, video demonstrations of your favorite flagship demos, behind the scenes, all-access video tours and a half-dozen web-based games for visitors of all ages here anytime you'd like to bring MagLab Open House right to your house!

Videos: Behind the Scenes - All Access

Explore the MagLab like never before with these 360 degree videos featuring spaces usually only accessible to the experts.

The MagLab Plant in 360 degrees

Click and drag to look around the plant in 360 degrees to see our chillers, cooling pumps, water treatment devices, helium and air compressors, an electrical switchgear, heat exchangers and other special equipment needed to support the world's most powerful magnets.

Length: 3:01

Helium Recycling in 360 degrees

Drag your screen around to see 360 degrees of the MagLab's equipment to capture, purify, and reliquefy helium.

Length: 1:09

See the behind the scenes playlist

Virtual Demos

See eye-popping demonstrations in action and learn the science behind them.

Shrinking Quarter Machine

A MagLab physicist and engineer pair up to demonstrate the lab's famous Quarter Shrinking Machine, a loud, stinky illustration of electrodynamics, circuits, Lenz’s Law and Lorenz forces.

Length: 7:56

Potato Launcher

An up-close view of a favorite Open House demo, carbo-loaded with information on how the pneumatic potato launcher works.

Length: 1:58

Junkyard Magnet

Watch a junkyard magnet squash water jugs and melons using the power of electromagnets.

Length: 2:40

See the virtual demo playlist

Recorded live sessions

Virtual Field Trip

Length: 1:07:00

The Story of Attraction

Length: 50:05

Scientist Speed Session with Dr. Matt Eddy

Length: 45:30

Kitchen Chemistry

Length: 59:22

See the recorded live session playlist

Games & Interactive

Reveal veggie MRI thumbnail

Reveal Veggie MRI

Can you guess the food by looking at an image taken in our world's most powerful MRI magnet?

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Attack of the Acronyms

Acronyms (and their less cohesive cousin, initialisms) are one of scientists’ favorite communication tools. But their use — or overuse — can torpedo the chances of readers actually comprehending what is written.

More Games & Interactive

Last modified on 06 November 2026