"Hands-On" Workshops

"Hands-On" Workshops will take place during Take Our Children to Work Day. These workshops are scheduled as one of the morning activities. The children will have the opportunity to explore and choose from any of the following activities.

What's THAT in My Beam Line? with Kathy Ratcliffe

We will use a borascope, which is a tiny camera on a long cable, to look inside vacuum components. We will take turns moving the camera and we will view the inside of the chamber on a T.V. screen. Together we will identify many common and some uncommon items "left behind" in the chamber.

Vacuum Systems Not Vacuum Cleaners with Dave Bostic

Did you know that most of outer space is a vacuum? What happens when you remove most of the air from something? Learn what vacuum is and why we need to use it at SLAC. We will assemble a vacuum chamber, remove the air from it and check the system with helium to make sure we don't have any leaks. Then you will see some interesting demonstrations about fun things you can do with vacuum.

What's Radioactive? with Jim Allan

Discover how to measure radiation using a Geiger tube survey meter. We will look at some common and not so common radiation sources, such as natural uranium, natural thorium, salt (potassium), a smoke detector and a sealed cobalt source. You'll see how people are kept safe from radiation through the use of shielding and you'll have a chance to put on the protective clothing used here at SLAC.

Experiments with Carbon Dioxide with Dian Yeremian

Why does my balloon sink? And how did that candle go out when I did not blow on it?! What is dry ice and why does the "Good Humer Man" like to use it? We will make Carbon Dioxide from everyday household item, or just scoop it up from a container and see it's effect on things around us even though we can't see it. All hands-on fun with stuff you can't even see.

The Mystery Workshop with Vern Smith

Buillding an Electric Motor with John Eichner

Fun with Lasers with Ray Alley

Surfing the Web with Karen Fant

This is a chance for those of you who haven't had an opprtunity at home or school to explore the internet. Using Netscape Navigator we will look at various web sites especially designed for kids. You will also have the opportunity to search out a topic that interests you.