Open House

MagLab Open House is a free, annual event for visitors of all ages! Each year on the last Saturday 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.

Thank you to the 10,000 people who came to be in their MagLab Era at Open House 2025 on February 22, 2025! We were enchanted to host you for our day of science fun!

When: Our 2025 Open House has ended. Check back for 2026 information.

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

Admission: FREE!

The MagLab has been making amazing discoveries and sharing science with our community since 1994. Now, the lab is entering an exciting new era driven by a new director, Kathleen Amm. Open House 2025 reflects on the different ERAS of the MagLab as we celebrate our past and look to the inspiring future of magnet technology and discoveries.

Our Open House event features classic MagLab demonstrations like our Quarter Shrinker, Potato Launcher, Cryo Flowers, Junkyard Magnet, and a chance to taste Einstein's Ice Cream.

2025 Open House Map

View larger image

2025 MagLab Open House Map

2025 Community Partners

Join us at Open House to see science from organizations across our community including Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee, WFSU Public Media, Gulf Specimen Marine Lab, Southeast Archeological Center, LeMoyne Arts, Florida State University Coastal and Marine Lab (FSUCML), Science on the Move, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, RIDER, Sea-to-See, Tallahassee Scientific Society, Florida Center for Interactive Media, the National Weather Service, FWC Invasive Plant Management, TallyRobotics, the Magnolia School, Leroy Collins Public Library, STARS Alliance FSU, Florida KidCare, Science on the Move, SEDS, St.Marks Wildlife, Tallahassee Astronomical Society, and more.

2025 Food Truck

Stay fueled at Open House with delicious food offered by Street Chefs, Empanada Smiles, Rhino's Smoked Meats, Oh' Lemonade, Zap Zap Thai, Tikiz Shaved Ice & Ice Cream, E's Weenies, Fired Up Pizza, Mr JB's BBQ, Astronomical Italian Ice, X-Treme Sno, Smackin Good Wings, Kona Ice

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

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

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 25 February 2025