Imagine literally holding fire in your hands. Student demonstrators show how it is safely done with bubbles! If your hands are wet, flammable methane bubbles can be safely ignited because the water acts as a barrier and protects the skin from being burned. “The crowd’s reaction is always genuine amazement,” said Dr. Dawson Nodurft ’19, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. “It is fulfilling to be part of a team that excites kids about science.”
Celebrating Science
View ExperimentsThe annual Texas A&M Physics and Engineering Festival attracts thousands of visitors to marvel at more than 200 unique science demonstrations designed and run by students and faculty.
Each spring for the past 17 years, Texas A&M University’s campus is crowded with visitors hoping to experience science at the Physics and Engineering Festival. An exciting day of experiments and exhibits from world-renowned scientists and Texas A&M students, the festival illustrates how science shapes the world around us. “The hands-on aspect allows visitors to get engaged and gives Texas A&M students the opportunity to present what they’ve learned in the classroom through demonstrations,” said Dr. Tatiana Erukhimova, a physics professor and the festival’s organizer. “At its core, the festival is a celebration of science!”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 festival was canceled.
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Flammable
Methane
Bubbles
Next Experiment
Super
Conducting
Levitation
Ever wonder what it would be like if gravity wasn’t dragging you down? Students’ pursuit to answer this question inspired the creation of the Superconducting Levitation demo. Using superconductors cooled to the liquid nitrogen temperature and a magnetic track, the demo exhibits a train that floats above the track due to electric currents circulating in a superconductor. “What seems like a complicated process turns out to be a simple feat of physics,” said Callie Rethman ’20, one of the student demonstrators.
Move your mouse to move the block below!
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Texas
Sized
Tesla Coil
“Everything is bigger in Texas” holds true when it comes to the 7-foot Tesla Coil demo, one of the more visually appealing displays the festival offers. This technological wonder is used for producing high voltages and fantastic long-sparking displays. The coil is a must-see with its stunning light show and flashing theatrics.
Click image to control lightning!
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Van de
Graaff
Generator
The Van de Graaff generator has been a crowd favorite since the festival’s inception in 2003. Although this metal ball doesn’t look like much, the generator provides stylish hairdos thanks to static electricity. Volunteers simply place one hand on the generator and watch as their hair begins to levitate due to electrostatic repulsion.
Click image to use generator!
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5-Barrel
Depth
Charge
A newer addition to the festival, the 5-Barrel Depth Charge has been the exciting grand finale since 2016. The demo features five barrels filled with water and hundreds of colorful balls, erupting due to the phase transition of nitrogen. Each barrel takes a turn to "explode," making a loud noise as water and balls soar through the air three stories high. It's the perfect way to end the festival with a bang!
Make a
Donation!
The Physics and Engineering Festival attracts more than 7,000 visitors annually and educates kids and kids at heart about the science that surrounds our daily lives. To help ensure that the program continues year after year, please consider a gift of any amount by visiting give.am/PhysicsFestival. You can also attend the festival free of charge to experience the amazing exhibits firsthand!
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