Science and Math Open House 2019

Featuring Sharks @ the Beach!

Saturday, July 20, 2019
1:00-5:00pm in the Hall of Science

Join us for an afternoon of fun with sharks and science and math! Admission is free and open to the public. Donations are greatly appreciated. Families are encouraged to attend.

  • Watch a CSULB Shark Lab Video Premiere
  • Tour the Shark Lab
  • Tour the Marine Labs
  • Learn Shark and Beach Safety at the Shark Shack
  • Shark Jaw Curriculum Workshop for Teachers
  • View Daytime Astronomy
  • Challenge Yourself with Math
  • Explore Atoms and Elements
  • Perform Mentored Physics Experiments
  • Meet the Robotic "Obi-Wan Coyote"
  • Learn About Local Coyotes and Skunks from the Mammal Lab
  • Hands-On Tour of the Museum Collections of Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Plants, Bugs, and More
  • Delve into Science Learning Center Activities and Exhibits
  • Natural Hazards in Long Beach: Earthquakes, Floods, Tsunamis
  • Secrets of Rocks, Minerals, and Crystals
  • Augmented reality visualization of mountains and valleys

Parking

Arrive early! Free parking is available in the Foundation parking lot, but space is limited.

Additional parking is available in Lots E7, E8, E9, E10, E11, and General Lots. Permits are $10 (credit/debit only) at the pay stations. Paid parking is required at all times when parking in these additional lots. ADA parking available.

Some of the Experiences We Will Share with You

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Dr. Chris Lowe and the CSULB Shark Lab team
Meet Dr. Chris Lowe and the CSULB Shark Lab team of graduate and undergraduate students. The mission of the Shark Lab is to study the physiological and behavioral ecology of marine animals, emphasizing the effect of human activity on the ocean; to utilize and develop innovative technology to answer challenging questions important for the conservation and restoration of depleted populations; and to train the next generation of marine biologists.
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semi-enclosed tank bay
Tour the Shark Lab's facilities, which include a semi-enclosed outdoor tank bay that has a 10,000 gallon recirculating system including chillers, protein skimmers, and cartridge filters. The tank bay has several large polyurethane tanks for holding gamefishes, sharks, skates and rays.
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touch tank in marine lab
Tour the Marine Lab's facilities, which include an 18,000 gallon recirculating seawater system which supplies tanks in both indoor and semi-enclosed outdoor spaces with a constant supply of clean water at local environmental temperatures. Thus it has the ability to keep locally collected live marine animals (algae, invertebrates, and fishes) for classroom and research purposes.
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Apollo 11 moon landing
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing in Science Learning Center. The Science Learning Center is part of our Department of Science Education, and provides unique learning experiences for elementary and middle school aged students in local communities through exhibits and activities that encourage questioning and hands-on investigation.
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Dr. Ted Stankowich and the CSULB Mammal Lab team
Meet Dr. Ted Stankowich and the CSULB Mammal Lab team of undergraduate and graduate students. The Mammal Lab studies how animals make decisions during predator-prey encounters, and investigates what ecological factors influence the evolution of animal behavior and defensive weaponry. The Mammal Lab also works to minimize conflict between humans and wildlife, especially in urban settings.
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rhino skull
Take a hands-on tour of our Museum Collections of mammals, birds, and reptiles. Maintained by our Department of Biological Sciences, the collections are used for scientific research on environmental quality, conservation, species diversity, species relationships, animal behavior, development, and other topics. They are also used for laboratory instruction of CSULB students and in educational displays for visitors.
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solar telescopes
View the sun via the solar telescopes from our Department of Physics and Astronomy. Solar telescope are special purpose instruments that detect light with wavelengths in, or not far outside, the visible spectrum. Please note that the solar telescopes will not be available on an overcast day.
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mentored physics experiment with electromagnetism
Do physics experiments mentored by members of our Department of Physics and Astronomy. Physics is not something that only happens in a science lab. Charging your cell phone, stopping your car or bike with your brakes, and producing sound with your vocal cords when you speak are all examples of physics in everyday life. These experiments will help you understand how matter and energy behave in the world around you.
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shark shack
Learn about shark and beach safety at the Shark Shack. A project of the Shark Lab, the Shark Shack builds appreciation for sharks by reducing fear and informing the public about sharks and other marine life they may encounter at the beach. The Shark Shack has information and activities for all ages.
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tsunami evacuation zone sign
Learn about the natural hazards in Long Beach such as earthquakes, floods, and tsunamis. Our Department of Geological Sciences will show how these natural hazards can affect your neighborhood, what you can do to prepare, and how to protect yourself during a natural hazard event.
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person working on a math puzzle with blocks
Challenge yourself with math puzzles. Our Department of Mathematics and Statistics has a collection of puzzles that require logic and pattern recognition to solve. We have puzzles appropriate for most ages, with difficulties ranging from simple to complex.
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sandbox with topographical features
Use an "augmented reality sandbox" to visualize the shapes of mountains and valleys. Understanding the Earth and environment requires working with maps and developing great visualization skills - this unique activity from our Department of Geological Sciences will help you understand mountains, valleys, and watersheds.
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magnified mineral structure
Explore the shapes and hidden crystal structures of rocks, minerals and beach sand that tell you how they formed, where they came from, and what kind of ancient life lived in the past. Examine samples with your eyes and special geologic microscopes, provided by our Department of Geological Sciences, that let you look into the rocks to see their beautiful, hidden features, and colors.
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bug collection
Take a hands-on tour of our Museum Collections of bugs and plants. Maintained by our Department of Biological Sciences, the collections are used for scientific research on environmental quality, conservation, species diversity, species relationships, animal behavior, development, and other topics. They are also used for laboratory instruction of CSULB students and in educational displays for visitors.
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pH scale - gastric acid is most acidic, sodium hydroxide is
Learn about acidity and alkalinity. With pH strips provided by our Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, you will be able to test the pH, how acidic or basic a substance is, of common everyday items. With the variety of chemicals stored under the typical kitchen sink, it is important to understand the fundamentals of acids and bases.
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ferrofluid spikes in the presence of a magnet
Play with magnetic fluid. Ferrofluid is a liquid that becomes strongly magnetized in the presence of a magnetic field, such as one produced by an refrigerator magnet. Using kits provided by our Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, you will be able to experiment with this amazing fluid.