Since its inception in 1982, The University of Maryland Physics Department has presented a yearly series of free public demonstration programs affectionately known as Physics is Phun. These shows are geared toward a high school audience and aim to educate and entertain. For younger students, we also offer Physics Discovery Days.
| Cost: | FREE but registration is required. |
| Location: | Physics Lecture Halls 1410 & 1412, John S. Toll Physics Building Google Maps University of Maryland, College Park, MD |
| Parking: | Regents Dr. Parking Garage, across Regents Dr. from Lecture Halls |
Volunteering
If you are interested in volunteering at our events, fill out our volunteering form.
Mailing List
To stay informed about Physics is Phun and other upcoming outreach events, join our mailing list.
2024-2025 Physics is Phun Programs
| Title | Times and Dates |
|
Physics of Film | Friday, February 7th, 2025 Saturday, February 8th, 2025 Show begins at 7:00 pm and ends at 8:30 pm |
|
A Show of Ice & Fire | Friday, December 6th, 2024 Saturday, December 7th, 2024 Show begins at 7:30 pm and ends at 9:00 pm |
|
Spooky Science Show | Friday, October 25th, 2024 Saturday, October 26th, 2024 Show begins at 7:30 pm and ends at 9:00 pm |
|
Physics of Sound | Friday, September 26th, 2024 Saturday, September 27th, 2024 Show begins at 7:30 pm and ends at 9:00 pm
|
2023-2024 Physics is Phun Programs
| Title | Times and Dates |
|
Physics Under Pressure | Friday, February 16th, 2024 Saturday, February 17th, 2024 Show begins at 7:00 pm and ends at 8:30 pm |
|
The Physics of Light | Friday, December 8th, 2023 Saturday, December 9th, 2023 Show begins at 7:00 pm and ends at 8:30 pm |
| The Physics in Motion | Friday, September 22nd, 2023 Saturday, September 23rd, 2023 Show begins at 7:00pm and ends at 8:30 pm |
2022-2023 Physics is Phun Programs
| Title | Times and Dates |
|
A Show of Ice & Fire | Friday, February 3rd, 2023 Saturday, February 4th, 2023 Show begins at 7:00pm and ends at 8:30pm |
| The Physics of Sound | Friday, October 14th, 2022 Show begins at 7:00pm and ends at 8:30pm |
2018-2019 Physics is Phun Programs
| Title | Times and Dates |
| Your Body in Space | Thursday, April 4, 2019 Friday, April 5, 2019 Show begins at 7:00pm Program ends at 8:30pm |
 Induction and Deduction | Thursday, October 11, 2018 Friday, October 12, 2018 Show begins at 7:00pm Program ends at 8:30pm |
2017-2018 Physics is Phun Programs
| Title | Times and Dates |
 Full Spectrum | Friday, June 1, 2018 Saturday, June 2, 2018 Shows begin at 7:00pm Programs end at 8:30pm |
 The Physics of Radiation in Three Acts | Friday, March 23, 2018 Saturday, March 24, 2018 Shows begin at 7:00pm Programs end at 8:30pm |
 Catch the Gravitational Wave | Friday, December 1, 2017 Saturday, December 2, 2017 Shows begin at 7:00pm Programs end at 8:30pm |
 World in Motion | Friday, October 20, 2017 Saturday, October 21, 2017 Shows begin at 7:00pm Programs end at 8:30pm |
2016-2017 Physics is Phun Programs
| Title | Times and Dates |
 The Physics of Fantastic Worlds: From Star Wars to Harry Potter | Friday, March 3, 2017 Saturday, March 4, 2017 Shows begin at 7:00pm Programs end at 8:30pm |
2015-2016 Physics is Phun Programs
| Title | Times and Dates |
 Celebrating Light | Friday, October 16, 2015 Saturday, October 17, 2015 Shows begin at 7:00pm Programs end at 8:30pm |
 Loud Physics | Thursday, December 10, 2015 Friday, December 11, 2015 Shows begin at 7:00pm Programs end at 8:30pm |
 Out of the Dark: Electricity and Magnetism | Friday, March 4, 2016 Saturday, March 5, 2016 Shows begin at 7:00pm Programs end at 8:30pm |
 Newton's World | Saturday, April 30, 2016 |
2014-2015 Physics is Phun Programs
| Title | Times and Dates | More Information |
 Out of the Dark: Sparking Electricity and Magnetism | Fri, Oct 24, 2014 7:30-8:30 pm* Sat, Oct 25, 2014 7:30-8:30 pm* *doors open at 7 for pre-show with hands-on demonstrations led by volunteers | |
 Hot and Cold | Fri, Feb 6, 2015 7:00-8:30 pm Sat, Feb 7, 2015 7:00-8:30 pm | |
| Newton's World | Maryland Day - Sat, Apr 25, 2015 10:00-11:30 am 2:00-3:30 pm *Location - outside of entrance to physics lecture halls | Maryland Day Photo Gallery |
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