MAX IV Laboratory welcomed nearly 1000 visitors on Open Day, the facility’s first major public event in five years. A fantastic lineup of interactive science stations with enthusiastic staff engaged guests inside the experimental hall of the large ring. In the mix, exhibitor booths, Vattenhallen, the Lund Robotics group with Buster the dog, Tetrapak, ESS, Kraftringen, Nano Lund, Medicon Village, and the Uppåkra archaeological group, drew interesting discussion.
‘Exciting.’ ‘Cool.’ ‘Interesting.’ ‘So much to be explored in this field!’ ‘I was amazed by how much further we can push the boundaries of what can be observed and measured.’ Many visitors commented on their experience at Open Day. Many smiling faces were seen in the ring as people watched and asked questions about the different scientific demonstrations.
Heidi LaGrasta, Outreach Officer and event organiser was thrilled by the curiosity and spirit all round. “One person who attended said they were excited about science again for the first time in 47 years. That is what this event was all about. We are glad for the opportunity to share our enthusiasm and knowledge about what happens at MAX IV, and we hope that it helps create a greater understanding about the important research going on in Lund. We are already thinking about next time!”
Guests were greeted with a message from MAX IV Director Olof Karis at the entrance. Inside the ring, small crowds gathered at science stations or stopped to read educational signage about the different beamlines.
Children were invited to test a miniature display of ForMAX and learn how a beamline works, dress like a scientist at the photo booth, create at a colourful art station, and play Mindcraft with the Uppåkra group. There was a maze with Vattenhallen BlueBot robot mice, and humanoid robot Nao. Buster, Boston Dynamics robot dog, also showed off some skills.
Visitors could view virtual reality simulations at the Uppåkra and the European Spallation Source (ESS) displays, and try hands-on experiments relating to magnets, tomography (3D imaging), vacuum with marshmallows and balloons, make your own crystals, and resonance with music. MAX IV scientists also spoke about Veritas beamline and accelerator physics.
Outdoors, children had fun with giant soap bubbles, a bouncy house, tipsrundan, and at one the most popular stations, taste ice cream made with liquid nitrogen.
MAX IV Open Day 2023 was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by the public. Thank you to all that attended and volunteered for this fun and engaging event.
