Thank you to the nearly 7,000 attendees who joined us on Feb. 21, 2026 to explore the latest chapter in the National MagLab's story. Together, we celebrated how great books and inspiring science both begin with curiosity and wonder.
When: Open House 2027 Dates will be announced in Fall 2026
Where: National MagLab Headquarters Location - 1800 E. Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32310 - View Google Map
Explore the event map: View 2026 Open House Map
Admission: FREE!
From classics to comics, cookbooks to children’s books, science stories leaped off the page and into the MagLab in a ”library” of discovery and hands-on science fun for all ages.
Open House marks the one day a year visitors can go behind the scenes to parts of the lab not normally open to the public, engage with one-of-a-kind science demonstrations, and learn about the physics, chemistry, biology, engineering and other research that happens at the lab year-round.
This year, we played in our an “Alice in Wonderland” themed play lab where younger children put on lab coats and immersed themselves in scientific exploration in research areas from magnet building to MRI. A “Seussical Science” section explored the magic of magnetic fields and quantum mechanics through hands-on activities inspired by the stories of Dr. Seuss. “Harry Potter’s Chamber of Micro-Secrets” allowed visitors to peer into the incredible power of the lab’s electron microscopes. And Pulitzer-Prize winning author Robert Olen Butler performed a short-story reading.
Visitors also had the chance to meet the lab’s many “authors of discovery” - our brilliant scientists, technicians, staff and students. Whether you love comic books, fairy tales, science fiction, or classic literature, visitors found compelling tales everywhere in a day filled with imagination, innovation, and inspiration.
Our Open House event also features classic MagLab demonstrations like our Quarter Shrinker, Potato Launcher, Cryo Flowers, Junkyard Magnet, and a chance to taste Einstein's Ice Cream.
2026 Community Partners
Our amazing partners included the Leon County Public Library, Florida Center for Interactive Media, LeMoyne Arts, Florida State University Coastal and Marine Lab (FSUCML), Tallahassee Astronomical Society, WFSU Public Media, Gulf Specimen Marine Lab, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Cornerstone Learning Community, MoLab, Inc, Sea-to-See/ Saturday Sea Camp, The Magnolia School, FAMU-FSU SEDS, Tallahassee Scientific Society, FSUCML, National Weather Service, Challenger Learning Center of Tallahasee, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, and FSU Florida Center for Reading Research.
2026 Food Truck
We want you to stay nourished for a day of science fun! Come grab a bite from Zap Zap Thai, Kona Ice, Empanada Smiles LLC, E's Weenies, Astronomical Italian Ice & Hot Dogs, Fired Up Pizza, Smackin Good Wings, and S&M Diner Express
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.
