Sunday, March 2, 2025, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Colorado State University, Lory Student Center

Free and open to the public! Science fun for all ages!

What Is Open House?

Each year, thousands of people gather at the Lory Student Center for a day of exciting, hands-on science at the Little Shop of Physics Open House!

This free, public event welcomes curious minds of all ages—from pre-K to gray! Explore over 300 interactive, homemade science experiments, plus engaging presentations and activities from our Science Partner Groups at CSU, across Colorado, and beyond!

Guide

Check out our Open House guides! They contain maps and important information about Open House. Printed versions of these will be available at the event. You can download a PDF version here or view images below.

Presentations

Interactive presentations will be held in the Lory Student Center Lory Student Center Theatre. Come join the fun!

• 11:00 a.m. The Million Volt Tesla Coil by Kenn Lonnquist, Colorado State University
• 12:30 p.m. The Physics of Music by Ansel Foxley, University of Northern Colorado
• 2:00 p.m. 15 Demos in 30 Minutes by Wendy Adams
• 3:30 p.m. Grand Finale: Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream by the CSU Chemistry Club
  • Morning Fresh Dairy has generously donated the milk for this presentation!

Science Partners

We are thrilled to be joined by science partners from across CSU and beyond! These passionate individuals bring their own unique approaches to sharing STEM, making science accessible and exciting for all.

• Adaptive Robotics Lab, CSU Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • We conduct research to design and build novel, small, and adaptive robots that can reconfigure their shapes, structures, or functionalities to fulfill tasks in diverse environments.
  • More at https://www.engr.colostate.edu/laboratories/adaptive-robotics-laboratory/
• Aggies Off-Road Racing and Development, CSU
  • We will be providing two activities for the event including 3D printed interactive models of combustion engines and suspension. As well as we will be showcasing our competition buggy, allowing kids to walk around it and ask any questions they might have.
  • More at https://www.engr.colostate.edu/organizations/aord/
• Atmospheric Chemistry/Ice Nucleation, CSU, Department of Atmospheric Science
  • Particle counting, supercooled clouds, and climate research.
• BROADN (Aerobiome Research), CSU 
  • The BROADN project, funded by the National Science Foundation, works to understand the microbiome of the air, and how it impacts human, animal, and environmental health.
  • BROADN volunteers will show the kids and their families how to use a microscope while talking about BROADN’s research and how different particles such as pollen or fungi that move through the air.
  • More at https://broadn.colostate.edu/outreach/
• Biomedical Engineering Society, CSU
  • The Biomedical Engineering Society is a student-led organization at CSU that focuses on professional development, community building, outreach, and engineering experiences. Part of our outreach efforts are hosting fun community events that introduce people to engineering. We will be bringing a foot controlled racing simulator apart of our Control and Steering Engineering (CASE) project which was created for a student who was born without arms. We will also be bringing a fun skeleton building activity and a life-size operation game that allows people to test different handmade surgical tools.
  • More at https://www.engr.colostate.edu/organizations/bmes/
• Bug Zoo, CSU
  • Our Bug Zoo and Agricultural Biology K-12 programming gives kids and adults alike the opportunity to interact and engage with arthropods. Our research demonstrates that children learning about bugs when they are are less likely to develop fears associated with insects.
  • More at https://agsci.colostate.edu/agbio/the-bug-zoo/
• Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network (CoCoRaHS)
  • CoCoRaHS has recently been awarded new funding with NASA to study hail like never before! While satellites measure hail in the clouds from above, volunteers on the ground can measure and report what landed below. Join us in this fun activity where we test different sized marbles by using a drop-chamber to see how they impact the hail pads used for measuring. We’ll also have life-size 3-D printed models of the largest hailstones to ever fall in Colorado.
  • More at https://www.cocorahs.org/
• Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA), CSU
  • CIRA is a leading atmospheric science research institute – come learn about how we see the Earth from space!
  • More at www.cira.colostate.edu
• CSU Energy Institute
  • The Energy Institute delivers real-world energy and carbon solutions that address society’s most pressing global challenges. Our work is made possible thanks to support from partnering corporations, foundations, and individual donors – like you!
  • More at https://energy.colostate.edu/
• FORTCAST (FORT Collins Atmospheric ScientisTs), CSU
  • FORTCAST is a student chapter of the American Meteorological Society and is comprised of students within the CSU Department of Atmospheric Science. Let’s learn how the atmosphere works! We will have several hands-on science demonstrations to help you learn about weather, chemistry, and climate.
  • More at http://fortcast.atmos.colostate.edu/
• Human Anatomy Interactive Room, CSU
  • Engaging kids in science and health through hands on anatomy exercises.
  • Gain a broad understanding of the human body through our Virtual Reality anatomy models, isolated human organs, and interactive human anatomy stations.
  • More at https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/outreach/
• Ghostbusters of Colorado United
  • The Ghostbusters use their fandom to build community and lift spirits via public appearance and charity work along the Front Range.
  • Explore the science behind the fiction through a variety of hands-on activities and live demonstrations that include capturing a free-floating vaporous apparition and making slime dance.
• Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU
  • Gregory Allicar Museum of Art invites individuals to engage with art and each other to inspire fresh perspectives and wonder. Always free and open to all, the museum is a catalyst for visual literacy and critical thinking that instills a passion for learning.
  • More at artmuseum.colostate.edu
• Illusions and other Psychological Processes, CSU
  • CSU Psychology Department
  • As a contemporary science and applied profession, psychology represents a rational and systematic attempt to understand human behavior by studying the processes of development, perception, learning, motivation and thinking, and the relationship of these processes both to the physiological and social functioning of humans.
  • More at https://psychology.colostate.edu/
• Lakota Star Knowledge Star Dome
  • Little Shop of Physics partners with Pine Ridge Reservation to bring hands-on science experiences to Indigenous communities, fostering curiosity and making STEM accessible through culturally relevant engagement. We are honored to be joined by members of the Oglala Lakota Nation to share their knowledge of the sky. This will be presented by Generations Indigenous Ways and Oglala Lakota College Math and Science Department.
  • Genetrations Indigenous Ways: https://www.giways.org/
  • Oglala Lakota College: https://www.olc.edu/current-students/degree-programs-areas-of-study/math-science-tech/
• Madison-Macdonald Observatory (MMO), CSU 
  • Solar viewing (weather permitting) outside in Plaza.
  • Astronomy at CSU: https://www.physics.colostate.edu/about/astronomy/
  • CSU Astronomy Club: https://ramlink.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/csuastronomyclub
• MIRA-SparCS
  • ¡MIRA! is a proud partner in the Center for Quantum Networks (CQN), working to build the foundation of the quantum internet. Our SparCQS program—Sparking Curiosity in Quantum Science—brings hands-on quantum science experiences to schools and communities, making cutting-edge STEM education accessible, engaging, and fun!
  • More at https://mira.nau.edu/mira-sparcqs/
• Multicultural Undergraduate Research Art and Leadership Symposium (MURALS), CSU 
  • MURALS has teamed up with Amplify and Little Shop of Physics to guide 11 first-year students in designing and presenting hands-on science projects. From interactive activities for preK-12 learners to large-scale demonstrations for college students, these scholars explored science through creativity and engagement. Check out their projects and take part in their research at Open House!
  • More at https://murals.colostate.edu/
• Muscles Alive! CSU
  • Muscles Alive! is a neuroscience educational outreach program. Participants get to see, hear, record, and experience their own brain’s command to the muscle and experience very robust, fun, and attention-getting illusions and phenomena related to reflexes and proprioception (ability to sense the position and orientation and movement of one’s body).
  • More at https://stem.colostate.edu/events/muscles-alive/
• Radical Open Science Syndicate, CSU
  • The Radical Open Science Syndicate helps monitor water quality and watershed health in the Poudre River and beyond. Make your own algae watercolor and learn about how we help keep our water fun, safe, and clean for everyone!
  • More at www.rossyndicate.com
• Ram Racing, CSU
  • Ram Racing is a fully student-run team dedicated to designing, building, testing, and racing formula-style race cars. We compete against top universities from around the world in the ultimate challenge featuring 120 of the best Formula SAE teams. While automotive engineering is at the core of Ram Racing, our members come from different backgrounds, majors, and levels of experience. This is reflected in our seven subteams: Aerodynamics, Business, Chassis, Electrical, Manufacturing, Powertrain, and Suspension. Each member contributes unique skills and perspectives, which are essential to our success.
  • More at https://www.engr.colostate.edu/organizations/ram-racing-fsae/
• Ram Launch Initiative (RLI) Rocket Team, CSU 
  • The Ram Launch Initiative (RLI) team is a group of 12 engineering seniors at CSU that are competing in this years NASA University Student Launch Initiative (USLI). Their goal is to design, build, and launch a 12 foot rocket in Huntsville, AL. RLI will be hosting a variety of activities around aerospace engineering, including straw rockets and stomp rockets!
  • More at https://www.engr.colostate.edu/organizations/ramlaunch/
• Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF)
  • America’s Underground Lab hosts world-leading experiments deep underground, seeking answers to some of the most profound mysteries of the universe.
  • More at sanfordlab.org
• Sci On the Fly: Mobile Outreach Learning Lab, CSU
  • High-end gaming computers run advanced team-based programs focused on teaching youth across Colorado about the deep connections between humans, animals, and the environment.
  • More at https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/outreach/
• STEM 4 Kids, CSU 
  • We will show the participants the basics of block coding and help the students experiment with how to get a robot through a maze.
  • More at https://www.engr.colostate.edu/organizations/s4k/participate/
• The Physics of Flight
  • A hands on adventure to inspire a new generation of pilots!
  • Civil Air Patrol: www.gocivilairpatrol.com
  • Experiment Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 515: www.515.eaachapter.org
  • CSU Flight Sim Club: https://www.engr.colostate.edu/organizations/flightsim/
• Walter Scott Jr., College of Engineering Exploration, CSU
  • Walter Scott Jr., College of Engineering
  • The College of Engineering will be hosting a variety of activities around engineering our world in Mechanical, Electrical, Civil and Environmental and Biomedical Engineering. Stop by to explore 3D printing, electrical playdough circuits, bridge strength tests, and more!
  • More at https://www.engr.colostate.edu/outreach
• Women in Physics (WIP) and Society of Physics Students (SPS), CSU
  • The Society of Physics Students (SPS) at CSU is an inclusive club that fosters a supportive physics community through academic engagement and fun, meaningful activities. Women in Physics (WiP) is an undergraduate group dedicated to encouraging and supporting women in physics, welcoming anyone who advocates for women in the sciences. WIP and SPS will be presenting a trebuchet at Open House!
  • WIP: https://www.physics.colostate.edu/undergraduate-students/student-groups/women-in-physics/
  • SPS: https://www.physics.colostate.edu/undergraduate-students/student-groups/society-of-physics-students/

Food Court

Doing science can make folks hungry. If you need a lunch break, head on down to the Lory Student Center food court. The following restaurants will be open:

• Subway Sandwiches & Mama Deluca’s Pizza (11am – 8pm)
• Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (10am- 4pm)
• Intermissions Coffee (10am – 3pm)
• Garbanzos Mediterranean  (10am – 4pm)

Additionally, Cam’s Lobby Shop Convenience Store will be open at the North End Transit Center on the first floor (9:30 am – 4:30pm).

Transportation

Colorado State University, Lory Student Center
1101 Center Ave Mall, Fort Collins, CO 80521

Open House will be in the CSU Lory Student Center, on the 3rd floor. The closest big parking areas are in the Engineering Parking Lot or the Morgan Library Parking Lot, but there are two larger parking structures—the South College Garage and Lake Street Garage—that are also walking distance. Most parking is free on weekends, but please check signage. Visit https://pts.colostate.edu/for more information on parking at CSU.

Public transportation is also a great option: CSU is served by several bus routes, including the MAX.

Most parking on campus is available free of charge on the weekends, but please check the signage in the lots to confirm. For more information, visit the Parking and Transportation Services Website.

Accessibility

We are committed to ensuring that our Open House is accessible and welcoming to everyone. If you anticipate any barriers related to a disability or have sensory needs that may make the event overwhelming, we encourage you to reach out so we can provide the necessary accommodations.

For accommodation requests, please contact Cherie Bornhorst at cherie.bornhorst@colostate.edu. Cherie will review all requests and do her best to accommodate your needs.

We look forward to making your experience as engaging and enjoyable as possible!

Major funding for the Little Shop of Physics is provided by the Colorado State University College of Natural Sciences. Funding for Open House is provided by the Matthew A. McCausland Memorial Fund.