LSOP in Action: CSU Day of Giving 2024
Little Shop of Physics represented the College of Natural Sciences in the CSU Day of Giving on August 22, 2024! To celebrate, we made liquid nitrogen ice cream for CSU students on the Eddy Quad. This year, Little Shop of Physics received over $3000 of the $250k+ donated for CSU's Day of Giving. We would [...]
CSU Day of Giving
Little Shop of Physics is excited to represent the College of Natural Sciences in the CSU Day of Giving! Much of our work is powered by generous donations from individuals like you, and we appreciate the support! To celebrate, we will make liquid nitrogen ice cream! Thursday, August 22, 2024 12:30-1:30 p.m. Eddy Lawn, CSU [...]
June 2024 Newsletter
June 2024 Welcome to our June 2024 newsletter. The big news: Open House is back, bigger and better than ever! Also inside, LSOP visits a Texas for the total solar eclipse. Check out the updates on our work to connect with Native communities, visit local schools, and work with CSU Spur. And finally, read about [...]
Everything You Need to Know About Solar Eclipses
Here at Little Shop, we find solar eclipses to be very exciting! In celebration of the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, we've put out this video! Segments The above video is 2 minutes and 50 seconds long; it's broken up into 4 segments below. Solar eclipses occur when the Moon passes between the [...]
30th Annual Open House
On February 24, 2024 we will host our 30th Annual Little Shop of Physics Open House. This free, public event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the first hour is devoted to sensory-friendly exploration. This event will be a mixture of indoor activities and outdoor exploration if the weather permits. For more details [...]
January 2024 Newsletter
We're super excited to share our latest newsletter! The last half year has been extremely busy for the LSOP Crew. We teamed up with Amplify to develop two awesome new programs, worked with indigenous communities, and took part in the grand reopening of the Madison McDonald Observatory. LSOP teamed up with the Physics Department to [...]
Madison McDonald Observatory Grand Reopening
Little Shop of Physics was honored to be a part of the grand re-opening of the Madison Macdonald Observatory on October 6th, 2023! The evening event was free and open to the public and full of festivities! Little Shop of Physics set up hands-on science experiments in Biology 110, and outside the observatory. Physics Professor [...]
Oglala Lakota College Teacher Workshop
LSOP has long partnered with Oglala Lakota College (OLC) on the Pine Ridge Reservation, and teacher professional development is a cornerstone of this partnership. Our first workshop with OLC workshop was in 2008, and we had traveled to Pine Ridge annually to do these workshops up until the pandemic made this impossible. We were thrilled [...]
APS PhysicsQuest 2023: “Making Waves” Kit
“Making Waves” is all about understanding waves, and their application in art and technology through simple hands-on activities involving slinkys, LED’s, ChromaDepth glasses, and more!
LSOP Newsletter Summer 2023
We are excited to announce the launch of our newsletter! Stay up to date on all of the happenings around LSOP. You can also join our email list to receive future newsletters and periodic LSOP updates: https://lsop.colostate.edu/newsletter/
Spring Science Extravaganza
On April 22, the Little Shop of Physics hosted our Spring Science Extravaganza. Despite snow in the morning, this free public event attracted thousands of people to CSU campus for a day of science fun! We had our classic hands-on science experiment stations and some brand new demonstrations (think bubbles and rockets!) that are too [...]
Meet our STEM Engagement Coordinator
We are happy to announce Olivia Santiago is our STEM Engagement Coordinator. Olivia joined the Little Shop of Physics team in October 2022. She has a natural talent for informal education and has passion for sharing science with people of all ages.
Traveling Science Experience: Garden Place Academy
The Little Shop of Physics brought the Traveling Science Experience to six classes at Garden Place Academy in Denver, Colorado on March 23, 2023. We were very impressed by the students who worked together to build their very own plushie launcher using a leaf blower, PVC pipes, and a scooter!
Little Shop of Physics Future Teacher Summer Internship
Are you interested in becoming a teacher? Do you love science shenanigans? Have you always loved building crazy things? The Little Shop of Physics Future Teacher Summer Internship Program may be right for you! We are seeking interns to join us in sharing science with communities all over Colorado! We are hiring 1-2 current CSU [...]
LSOP in Action: Pow Wow
November 5, 2022 The Little Shop of Physics was invited to join the AISES Pow Wow, which culminates a monthlong celebration of Native American Heritage Month. This public event highlights Native American culture, dance, food, and art, and we were excited to share some of our hands-science experiment stations. Over the course of the evening, [...]
Society of Physics Students Congress 2022 Workshop
Iron Chef Science Science is something that anyone can cook-up! Science is something anyone can do, with anything, anytime. One of the missions of Little Shop of Physics is teach science through hands-on exploration. Data shows that experiencing science through hands-on learning is more effective and reaches a larger audience. This workshop will give you [...]
LSOP at CSU Chem Halloween Show
Sunday, October 30 The Little Shop of Physics took part in the CSU Chemistry Halloween show! We set up a spooky Dark Room and worked with over 1000 members of the public!
LSOP in Action: CSU Spur October 2022
The Little Shop of Physics will set up at CSU Spur in Denver for the month of October. There will be public events, school visits, and teacher workshops. Check back soon for more details!
LSOP in Action: Tie Dye 2022
Check out the LSOP crew for our annual tie dye event. Our theme this year is "Shaping Science, Sharing Science".
STEM ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR WITH THE LITTLE SHOP OF PHYSICS
The Little Shop of Physics team creates engaging and accessible hands-on science activities that are shared with K-12 students (and others!) all over the region. And now we have an exciting opportunity to partner with CSU Spur to develop some hands-on experiment stations that will have a home in the new buildings taking shape at […]
Brian Jones Little Shop of Physics Endowment
Here at Little Shop, our interns do a lot. They build and maintain the experiments and take our hands-on science program around Colorado and all over the world. They facilitate teacher workshops, stream videos, and host public events, sometimes with only 1 participant and sometimes with over 10,000 people in attendance! They teach and they [...]
LSOP Spring Science Extravaganza
The Little Shop of Physics was beyond excited to welcome the public — over 5000 folks in total — back to CSU campus for a day of hands-on science fun! On April 23, 2022 we hosted our Spring Science Extravaganza! This outdoor event featured over 200 of our favorite hands-on experiment stations as well as […]
A Taste of LSOP Shares Science With Over 4,000 PSD Students This Fall
The last year has been challenging for many folks including the Little Shop of Physics. A Taste of LSOP was conceived in fall of 2021 based on the idea that we can do exciting hands-on science engagement with Poudre School District (PSD) K-12 students in a responsible and safe way during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Wellington Middle School Classroom Connections
The Little Shop of Physics had an awesome day of interactive science engagement at Wellington Middle School! We did a force and motion LSOP Classroom Connections program with the entire school — all 600+ students in grades 6-8!
Ram Welcome 2021
Every August, Colorado State University welcomes new students and their families. Ram Welcome is a series of formal and informal events to orient folks to this amazing community. Little Shop of Physics is proud to take part in this annual tradition.
What I Did Last Summer
Many of my elementary school years began with a “what I did over summer vacation” essay. This was not my favorite task, but this summer was different (in a good way)! Let’s start with a photo. In Soccer Without Borders, the high school students mentor the middle school students. The high school mentors in this [...]
Two LSOP Interns Awarded Noyce Scholarship
Brenna Sydow and Emma Szalach, both interns at Little Shop of Physics, are the two recipients of the 2021 Colorado State University Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship. This highly competitive $10,000 scholarship is named after Robert Noyce, the co-founded Intel, and is funded by the National Science Foundation. The goal of the scholarship is to support […]
Classroom Connections: Q&A with PSD Virtual, May 6, 2021
This week, the LSOP crew answered questions from PSD Virtual’s 2nd graders. There were so many good questions, that we weren’t able to answer them all. But fear not…we’re making videos to answer the rest of them!
The Rainbow and Beyond with PSD Virtual, April 22, 2021
On April 22, The Little Shop of Physics presented a virtual assembly with over 100 second graders PSD Virtual. The students were led through a series of activities about visible light as well as electromagnetic radiation that is beyond the rainbow including infrared and ultraviolet. Every student was mailed a pair of rainbow glasses which [...]
LSOP Art of Science Contest — Spring 2021
This contest ran through April, 2021 and was open to all students enrolled in grades K-12 in a public or private school in the United States. Students were asked to submit an original science-inspired artistic composition in any field of science using any artistic medium. Entrants connected with Colorado State University students and staff to [...]
LSOP Live: The Animal Show Part 2
Submit your sciencey animal videos for a chance to have them appear on the LSOP Live Animal Show (part 2) on Friday, May 7!
Lesher MS Classroom Connections, March 11-12, 2021
The LSOP crew did a virtual Classroom Connections program with Lesher Middle School on March 10-11, 2021. The program — which focused on waves, sound, light, and beyond the rainbow — involved experiments and activities done by the students in their classroom (with help from teacher Ms. Freemyer and student-teacher Ms. Harsh). These experiments and […]
LSOP Article in the Collegian
On March 9, 2021 an article titled “CSU’s Little Shop of Physics continues to thrive virtually” by Ceci Taylor ran in the Rocky Mountain Collegian. The article highlights some of our Virtual Connections over the last year as we’ve made the pivot to physically distant interactive science engagement.
Boys and Girls Club – Spring 2021
This semester we continued our partnership with the Boys and Girls Club (BGC)! One Little Shop of Physics (LSOP) intern is at the BGC with the materials. The other LSOP folks join remotely on Zoom. The LSOP crew on the virtual side lead the activity. Our activities have materials which one BGC kid uses. Most [...]
LSOP Open House 2021
The 30th Annual Little Shop of Physics Open House took place on February 27, 2021. The theme was We Are All Still Connected, and the event took place virtually on Zoom and Facebook Live. Hundreds of people from all over the world attended. Presentations were hosted by Colorado State University students, faculty and staff. We […]
Art of Science Contest, Spring 2021
Do you like art? Do you like science? Submit your science-inspired original artistic compositions for a chance to win awesome prizes! The third LSOP Art of Science contest is now open to US students grades K-12. Entries may be related to any type of science in a media of your choosing (visual art, music, video, […]
LSOP Featured in CNS Elements Magazine
The Little Shop of Physics was recently featured in the 2020 College of Natural Sciences Elements magazine. The article, titled “The Little Shop of Physics Gets a New Logo, Reaffirms Mission” talks about our unique program over the 30 years of its existence, from the humble beginnings to becoming an international model of interactive science […]
LSOP Live: The Animal Show, December 18, 2020
Our last show of the year is all about animals. And we’ve got some great videos from PSD students that show their animals doing cool things. Find out about this, and other episodes, on the LSOP Live page.
Thank you gift – Science Outreach Scholars Fall 2020
Thank you Science Outreach Scholars for engaging kids remotely! We proved that we can still stay connected and do hands-on science in a physically distanced way. This science-at-home kit is a way to keep the science fun happening! The information below describes one way to explore and more information on the topic. We welcome you […]
Boys and Girls Club and CNS Science Outreach Scholars
The partnership with the Fort Collins Boys and Girls Club (BGC) and College of Natural Sciences Learning Community Science Outreach Scholars was planned before the pandemic. Our goals were to: connect first year college students to K-8th grade students. learn science through hands-on exploration. have the all students learn about different ways to look at the [...]
Art of Science Contest — Fall 2020
This contest ran through October 31, 2020 and was open to all students enrolled in grades 6-12 in a public or private school in the United States. Students were asked to submit an original science-inspired artistic composition in any field of science using any artistic medium. Entrants were able to connect with Colorado State University [...]
Here’s your chance to be part of LSOP Live!
How can we make LSOP Live better? By including you! We aren't the only creative folks in town. We want to showcase some of the amazing creative young scientists out there! We have a new feature of LSOP Live we will roll out on our next episode—we are going to give a family the chance [...]
Little Shop of Physics Care Package
Rams take care of Rams! At the Little Shop of Physics, we believe you learn science by doing science. Science is something that can be done with everyday materials. In your Little Shop of Physics Care Package you received rainbow glasses, refrigerator magnets, and a bracelet. Below are some suggestions on things to try with [...]
Oglala Lakota Teacher Workshop
The Little Shop of Physics has a long-established relationship with the Oglala Lakota Nation. We have visited the Pine Ridge Reservation at least once a year for over a decade, and groups from Oglala Lakota College and Generations Indigenous Ways have come to Colorado State University for a variety of programs for students and teachers [...]
LSOP Art of Science Contest
The LSOP Art of Science contest is open for all students grades 6-12 in the US! Submit an original composition — video, visual art, music, or written — for a chance to win awesome prizes! Need help coming up with an idea or are you just looking to connect with a scientist? We'll connect you [...]
New LSOP Logo!
In addition to our new theme (We Are All Still Connected) and tie dye t-shirts, the Little Shop of Physics is excited to announce our brand new logo! Thank you to all the folks at the Colorado State University College of Natural Sciences and Creative Services for their hard work in developing our new look!
Super Science Day: A Lasting Impact in Namibia
The Little Shop of Physics has a long-term partnership with B2Gold Namibia with the goal of bringing hands-on practical science education to K-12 students (learners) and teachers in Namibia. As part of the partnership, LSOP has traveled to Namibia multiple times to host teacher workshops; we have also hosted Super Science Days which are large [...]
LSOP Live!
The Little Shop crew is live every Friday! Check out the LSOP Live page for episodes. Brenna juggling bubbles. We can show you how to make bubble solution that lets you do this! We'll do a bunch of fun science experiments that everyone can try at home. Join us on Zoom to ask questions and [...]
Fall 2020 Student Art of Science Contest
The Fall 2020 Art of Science Contest is open and accepting entires through October 31, 2020. Students enrolled in grades 6-12 in a US school are encouraged to submit an artistic composition — video, visual art, written, or music — inspired by a scientific concept, experiment, achievement, current mystery, or open question in any field of science.
Science Art Connection
What is the Science Art Connection? We were inspired by the Art of Science entries. The contest winners particularly demonstrated creativity in connecting art to science. We would like you to share a fun science concept or phenomenon using art. Each week on Monday we will post a science theme and some art examples. Your original [...]
Lakota Summer Science Virtual Institute 2020
Welcome students in the Lakota Summer Science Virtual Institute 2020 presented by Generations Indigenous Ways! Little Shop of Physics will be hosting a few sessions, where we share and learn about science. We have a wide variety of hands-on materials to explore our world. This page is a place where you can learn more about the [...]
Poudre School District Art of Science Contest — Spring 2020
Thank you to all of the 6-12 Poudre School District students who entered our Art of Science Contest! Every entry was evaluated by our team of Colorado State University students and staff, and every entrant will receive detailed feedback. Additionally, 8 entries were awarded prizes and 4 students received honorable mentions (see below)! Congratulations to all of our [...]
Everything You Need to Know: Colorado Science Standards
Looking for LSOP resources to engage your students with a specific science standard, either in the classroom or through remote instruction? This is your page! Read on for an index that matches our Everything You Need to Know About... content to Colorado middle and high school academic standards. Middle school standards This section of the [...]
Art of Science Contest
We are excited to announce the Art of Science contest for Poudre School District students grades 6-12. Submit an original science-themed composition—video, music, writing, or visual art—and compete to win awesome prizes! Submissions are accepted now through May 15, and winners will be selected by CSU students and staff! For more information or to enter, [...]
Little Shop of Physics in Namibia
The College of Natural Sciences Little Shop of Physics team returned to Namibia as hosts of B2Gold Namibia’s CSR efforts in January, 2020. This was the third visit in four years, but in some sense, the program has never left. The B2Gold-funded effort of the science educators in Namibia to help teachers better engage and prepare their students goes by the name of Little Shop of Physics, and uses the techniques shared on past visits.
Fundraiser for Robert’s School and Orphanage
$50 will educate a child at Robert’s school in Uganda for 1 year. The story of the school, how it was founded, the students who live and study there, the teachers who spend their days with them, and the work that CSU and the Little Shop of Physics are doing there, is a compelling one. At this event, we’ll share this story, the work we are doing with the school, and how you can help. We’ll share some of the activities we shared with the students and teachers this year, as well as our plans for the future.
Little Shop of Physics at Robert Serunjogi’s school in Uganda
Members of CSU’s Little Shop of Physics in the College of Natural Sciences joined Robert Serunjogi for a visit to the orphanage Robert founded in his home village in Uganda. The orphanage is now a school, due to construction and development made possible with the help of Laura Schreck, a recent CSU graduate, who worked tirelessly to raise funds and provide support.
For people who have supported the development of the school, know this: The community supports the school 100%. They have donated labor, materials, time, and care. It’s amazing to see how much has been done, and how well things are going.
Namibia Road Trip, January 2018
The Little Shop of Physics crew spent the first two weeks of 2018 doing what we love: sharing fun, hands-on science education, making new friends, having epic adventures, and trying not to get our solar hot air balloons stuck in acacia trees. Little Shop teamed up with B2Gold for a road trip to Namibia over CSU’s winter break, and we came back with lots of ideas and some great stories to share with you!
Eclipse Glasses Fundraiser for Robert Surenjogi’s Orphanage
As part of the Great American Eclipse, the Little Shop of Physics along with ESMEI handed out 50,000 pairs of glasses in order for folks to safely view the sun. The majority of these glasses were provided free of charge to K-12 and college students, and the remainder were given away. $5,000 in donations were collected for Robert’s Orphanage in Uganda.
Solar Eclipse 2017
The Great American Solar Eclipse was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where a solar eclipse is visible from the entire continental United States. The Little Shop of Physics hosted several events surrounding the eclipse, which took place on the first day of the 2017-2018 school year. The main goal of all of the events was to use this unique opportunity, when much of the country was outside, looking up to the sky, to engage the public, to give people a chance to safely experience this remarkable celestial event.
Namibia B2Gold Partnership
The Little Shop team visited Namibia in January, 2016, hosted by B2Gold Namibia. In June, 2017, the Little Shop of Physics team hosted 4 visitors from Namibia, as part of this ongoing partnership with Namibian educators.
26th Annual Open House
Over 8,500 people came out for the Little Shop of Physics 26th Annual Open House
Todos Santos Road Trip
The Little Shop of Physics took the show on the road to Todos Santos in Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Oklahoma Road Trip
In October the Little Shop of Physics tried something new: we loaded 62 experiments into suitcases and flew to Oklahoma for an awesome 2 day program with the Oakdale Public Schools!
In the Physics Teaching Labs @ CSU
Every year at the end of the tour we come back to Colorado State University and set up in the physics teaching labs for two weeks. Both CSU students and visiting groups of K-12 children get to experience LSOP here on campus.
25 Years, Half a Million Kids!
Little Shop of Physics has grown to a well respected and well traveled program that today reached a very significant milestone—we have now presented hands-on science programs to 500,000 students.
USA Science and Engineering Festival
The Little Shop of Physics saw over 15,000 people at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington DC.
Zuni and Acoma Road Trip
Over CSU’s spring break, the Little Shop of Physics and Native American Cultural Center got our science on with over 1,110 students on the Zuni and Acoma Pueblos.
25th Annual Open House
The Little Shop of Physics presented it’s 25th Annual Open House to approximately 8,000 people! Bigger and better than ever, the day featured 300+ hands on science experiments, presentations from around the world, science partner rooms, and giant Science Spectacles.
Namibia Road Trip
The Little Shop of Physics, in partnership with B2Gold travelled to Namibia to conduct teacher workshops and science camps with kids.
In the Labs @ CSU
The Little Shop of Physics set up in the CSU teaching labs to work with K-12 and college students.
Pine Ridge Road Trip
Over the fall semester break, the Little Shop of Physics teamed up with several groups including the CSU Native American Cultural Center to bring our hands-on science program to around 850 students at two schools on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
Denver Broncos Tackle STEM
The Little Shop of Physics has teamed up with the Denver Broncos and Arrow Electronics as part of the Broncos Tackle STEM Program.
Wind River Road Trip
During the week of October 5, 2015, the Little Shop of Physics (LSOP) visited two schools on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming.
New West Fest
Once again, the Little Shop of Physics was invited to take part in the Kids’ Music Adventure at New West Fest in Fort Collins!
AAPT National Meeting
The Little Shop of Physics took part in the American Association of Physics Teachers Annual Summer Meeting in College Park, MD, from July 23-29, 2015. We presented a workshop titled Activities for Learning About Climate and Climate Change, and were able to collaborate and interact with physics educators from all over the world.
Weather and Climate Teacher Course
For the 9th consecutive year, the Little Shop of Physics partnered with CMMAP to lead a series of professional development courses for science teachers. The first of 3 courses, titled The Science of Weather and Climate took place on July 6-8, 2015 at Colorado State University. The 20 teachers enrolled in the course engaged in a mix of activities and discussion to explore essential science principles that explain the Earth’s weather and climate: energy, motion, forces, radiation, light and color, states of matter.
North Dakota Road Trip
Following final exams, the Little Shop of Physics (LSOP) Crew headed north for our last school visits of the 2014-15 Tour! We travelled to two different schools on the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota, which is home to the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nations, known as the Three Affiliated Tribes.
In the Teaching Labs at CSU
Over the week of May 11, The Little Shop of Physics saw over 500 kids from 8 different schools in the Physics Teaching Labs at Colorado State University.
Weather and Science Day 2015
On April 23, Coors Field became a gigantic open-air classroom as more than 12,000 kids got a lesson in physics from Colorado State University’s Little Shop of Physics, 9News & the Colorado Rockies.
Zuni Reservation Spring Break Road Trip
Over the Colorado State University Spring Break (March 15-20), a crew from Little Shop of Physics and the Native American Cultural Center traveled down to the Zuni Pueblo, in New Mexico to share science with kids!
24th Annual Open House: February 28
On Saturday, February 28, 2015, thousands of scientists of all ages from Pre-K to Gray descended on the Lory Student Center at Colorado State University. The 24th Annual Open House features the hands-on science experiments that are synonymous with the Little Shop of Physics.
In the CSU Physics Teaching Labs: December 15-18
Twice a year, the Little Shop of Physics travels across campus to the Physics Department and sets up 150 hands-on science experiments in the teaching labs.
Oglala Lakota College Science Outreach Weekend
On the weekend of December 12, a crew of teachers and students from Oglala Lakota College (OLC) from the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota came down to CSU to build and repair experiments for their traveling hands-on science program.
Elementary Science Kits and Teacher Trainings
Little Shop of Physics partnered with Poudre School District (PSD), the Bohemian Foundation and the Rotary Club of Fort Collins to provide kits for every elementary school in the district. Based on teacher feedback, state and local standards, and materials that are already deployed in the classroom, three different types of kits were developed.
Pine Ridge Reservation Road Trip, November 24-25, 2014
On our Fall semester break the Little Shop of Physics in partnership with Colorado State University Native American Cultural Center and Oglala Lakota College took the road program to Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. The crew was made up of teachers, students and volunteers.
Colorado Science Conference: November 21, 2014
Little Shop of Physics presented a workshop called Kinesthetic Activities for Teaching Abstract Concepts at the Colorado Science Conference For Professional Development (CSC) to approximately 50 teachers in two sessions. The CSC is held annually in November at the Denver Merchandise Mart, and is attended by hundreds of K-12 teachers and presenters from all over Colorado.
Summer Teacher’s Courses: July 9-18, 2014
Little Shop of Physics and CMMAP teamed up for the for the 8th time to offer summer courses at Colorado State University for primary and secondary science teachers. The courses provide college-level content on the basic physics of the atmosphere, weather, climate, climate modeling, and climate change as well as demonstrating dozens of inquiry-based activities suitable […]
USA Science and Engineering Festival: April 25-27, 2014
The USA Science and Engineering Festival is a public events that brought in over 250,000 to Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington DC. It is held every two years, and is a national grassroots effort to advance STEM education and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
