The North Shore Sun

Updated: 8/1/2008 - 5:06 AM

Unlocking the doors to discovery

BNL opens its doors to the public for Summer Sundays starting July 20

By Rebecca Packard

Sun photo courtesy of Brookhaven National Laboratory Children enjoy an exhibit at Brookhaven National Laboratory during Summer Sundays, which opens the lab up to the public.

UPTON--Does a laboratory big enough to have its own ZIP code make you wonder what might be going on behind security checkpoints? Well, Brookhaven National Laboratory can satisfy that curiosity when it opens its doors to the public for Summer Sundays July 20 through Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"We like to open our doors to the public so they can see the forefront of science that we're doing," said Diane Greenberg, spokesperson for BNL.

Each Sunday there will be an hour-long "Whiz Bang" science variety show in Berkner Hall's auditorium demonstrating scientific principles, interactive brain teaser displays with 21 mind-bending puzzles, and a cafeteria (open until 2:30 p.m.) to buy lunch fare during visits.

The specific foci each Sunday are often the same from year to year, but demonstrators always have new material to share, according to Ms. Greenberg. However, this is the first year the Center for Functional Nanomaterials is fully operational.

BNL started inviting visitors for annual demonstrations in 1950. About 1,500 went on the first tour, according to Ms. Greenberg, and as many as 6,000 a week have participated in Summer Sundays since then.

For a listing of the themes for each week, see below. Descriptions are courtesy of BNL. All events are free. Visitors 16 and older need to bring photo I.D.

JULY 20 -- National Synchrotron Light Source

See the brightest light on Long Island and one of the most intense sources of light in the world. Find out how synchrotron light is used to look into all kinds of materials, from moon rocks to computer chips.

JULY 27 -- Science Learning Center

Play with science, no matter what your age. Have fun testing your hands-on science skills. Enjoy a science magician's tricks. Activities include a "hair-raising" experience at the Van De Graff station, maneuvering a rover at the Mars Gallery, and creating music on a stringless harp.

AUG. 3 -- National Weather Service

Come to the weather forecasting center for the entire New York metropolitan area. Track storms, big or small. Learn about hurricane preparedness. Witness a 3:30 p.m. weather-balloon launch.

AUG. 10 -- Center for Functional Nanomaterials

Visit a new center where studies of the ultra-small may lead to ultra-big discoveries in many areas, from energy to electronics. See the high-tech tools used to explore the nanoscale. This tour is appropriate for adults and children over 10 years old.

AUG. 17 -- Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider

Enter the underground tunnel that holds twin accelerators. Learn how gold ions are smashed together to re-create the temperature and energy density of the early universe. This tour is appropriate for adults and children over 10 years old.