September 3, 2003

NSLS Summer Sunday Draws a Record-Breaking Crowd

On Sunday August 3, 2003, over 750 visitors toured the NSLS as part of Brookhaven National Laboratory’s Summer Sunday tour series. Thirty-five NSLS staff members, students, and users volunteered their time for the event, which was organized by NSLS scientist, Lisa Miller.

Each summer, BNL is open for tours on seven consecutive Sundays, feature exciting interactive exhibits and an inside look at a different Laboratory facility each week, including the National Synchrotron Light Source.

Tours of the NSLS included presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on exhibits. At Berkner Hall, visitors watched an introductory video about how a synchrotron works, narrated by NSLS Chairman, Steve Dierker. After a short bus ride and tour of the Lab, visitors were dropped off at the NSLS. In the seminar room, NSLS scientists presented an introduction to “Science at the NSLS” by describing the many ways the NSLS is used to study scientific problems that affect everyday life. Improvements in biomedical imaging techniques, drug design, catalytic converters, environmental cleanup, and computer storage media were just a few of the topics discussed.

Visitors then toured the NSLS lobby, which was transformed into an exhibit area for numerous light- and synchrotron-related demonstrations. Visitors were able to experience “total internal reflection” as a laser beam was guided through a stream of falling water. A display on the principles of vacuum demonstrated its effect on a ringing bell, a balloon, a feather, and a marshmallow. The technique of diffraction was demonstrated using tiny metal grids and compact disks. Visitors had the opportunity to build their own “crystals” using gumdrops, and “see” the synchrotron light (at least the visible part of the spectrum) transported to the lobby through a fiber optic. But perhaps one of the all-time favorite features in the NSLS lobby was the view of the experimental floor from the display windows, which continues to amaze visitors year after year.

In addition to the many exhibits at the NSLS, BNL volunteers at Berkner Hall engaged visitors in a number of other activities. A hands-on exhibit called “Brain Matters”, produced by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and funded by the National Institutes of Health, offered visitors the opportunity to explore the wonder of the brain and test their skills in solving challenging “brain twisters.” Also, an exhibit about the 2002 Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to a Brookhaven Lab scientist was on display, and the Camp Upton Historical Collection featured memorabilia from World Wars I and II. The ever-popular “Whiz Bang Science Show” — popular with both adults and children — was also shown several times during the day. Both children and adults enjoyed lively interactive demonstrations of basic scientific principles. How does a “Bernoulli blower” float a beach ball in the air? What’s a corrugaphone and how does sound travel through it? These were just a few of the intriguing items covered in the show.

ARTICLE BY: Lisa Miller

PHOTOS BY: Gary Weiner and Laura Miller