Science Saturdays

On the first Saturday of every month from 10 AM - 4 PM, visitors are welcome to experience the LIGO Science Education Center's Science Saturdays.  These events are FREE, and you can just drop in anytime between 10 and 4 pm.  We offer tours and approximately 50 interactive science exhibits.  We welcome individuals and small groups. If you would like a tour, please arrive prior to 2:30 PM.  Tours take place every 30-45 minutes, and tours typically go to to LIGO's control room and to see the arms (weather permitting).

Note: We do NOT take advance tour reservations, except for groups of 15 or greater.  If you have a group of 15 or more, reserve a tour here.

For directions to LIGO click here.

Additional information about tours.

• You should plan on about an hour and a half for your visit. Guests should dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.
• Photographs are welcome. However, we kindly request that you 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 itself.
• Science Saturdays require NO advance registration, or identification.  They are the one day a month LIGO is open to the public.
• Each Science Saturday has a theme that the lobby exhibits reflect.  These themes are tied into the science and engineering around LIGO.

During your visit you will have a chance to explore many interactive exhibits housed in LIGO's Science Education Center (LIGO SEC). You will also be able to take a tour that discusses artifacts from the detector, and (weather permitting) takes you to LIGO's control room, and to an overview of the interferometer's 4km-long arms reaching into the loblolly pine forest. Questions are particularly welcome on the tour.

A family enjoys the exhibit hall during Science Saturday

Upcoming Science Saturdays

10 AM - 4 PM (last tour starts at 2:30 PM)

August 3rd, Summer (Sum More) Sounds

September 7th, Silly Science (science that makes one smile)

October 5th, Balance or Fall

November 2nd, Engineering the Problem

December 7th, Holiday PRESSURE