Science Saturdays

Visit the LIGO Science Education Center on the first Saturday of every month, from 10 AM to 4 PM, for Science Saturdays! These FREE, drop-in events feature around 40 interactive exhibits and guided tours.

Tours run every 45–60 minutes and include a visit to the control room and, weather permitting, the arms. Please arrive before 2:30 PM if you’d like to join a tour. Tour times may vary in summer.

Individuals and small groups are welcome!

Note: We do NOT take advance tour reservations for groups smaller than 20 people.  If you have a group of 20 or more, reserve a tour here.

For directions to LIGO click here.

What to Expect During Your Visit

• Plan to spend about 1.5 hours at LIGO. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.
• There is no food available for purchase on-site, so please plan accordingly. LIGO is in a remote area, so the nearest places to eat are roughly 10-15 minutes away and the local restaurant choices are limited. 
• Photographs are welcome. Please do not record/video staff members without their permission.
• LIGO's Science Saturday is suitable for all ages.
• LIGO’s facilities are wheelchair accessible, though you will encounter a slope during the site tour.
• Science Saturdays require NO advance registration, or identification.  They are the one day a month LIGO is open to the public.
• Each Science Saturday features a special theme reflected in the lobby exhibits, highlighting the science and engineering behind LIGO. 

During your visit, you’ll explore interactive exhibits in the Science Education Center, view artifacts from the detector, and (weather permitting) tour the control room and see the 4 km-long arms extending into the pine forest.

Questions are particularly welcome on the tour.

      UPCOMING SCIENCE SATURDAYS

   -  June 7 - "Center of Gravity and Balance"

   -  July 5 - "Force, Motion & Energy"

   -  August 2 - "Light, Sound & Waves"

   -  September 6 - "Celebrating 10 Years of the First Detection"