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.
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Cost: |
FREE but registration is required. |
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Location: |
Physics Lecture Halls 1410, 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.
2025-2026 Physics is Phun Programs
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Title |
Times and Dates |
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Friday, October 24th, 2025
Saturday, October 25th, 2025
Show begins at 7:00 pm
and ends at 8:30 pm
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Friday, September 26th, 2025
Saturday, September 27th, 2025
Show begins at 7:00 pm
and ends at 8:30 pm
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2024-2025 Physics is Phun Programs
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Title |
Times and Dates |
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Physics of Flight |
Friday, March 7th, 2025
Saturday, March 8th, 2025
Show begins at 7:00 pm
and ends at 8:30 pm
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Physics of Film |
Friday, February 7th, 2025
Saturday, February 8th, 2025
Show begins at 7:00 pm
and ends at 8:30 pm
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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
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Spooky Science Show |
Friday, October 25th, 2024
Saturday, October 26th, 2024
Show begins at 7:30 pm
and ends at 9:00 pm
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Physics of Sound |
Friday, September 26th, 2024
Saturday, September 27th, 2024
Show begins at 7:30 pm
and ends at 9:00 pm
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2023-2024 Physics is Phun Programs
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Title
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Times and Dates
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Physics Under Pressure |
Friday, February 16th, 2024
Saturday, February 17th, 2024
Show begins at 7:00 pm
and ends at 8:30 pm
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The Physics of Light |
Friday, December 8th, 2023
Saturday, December 9th, 2023
Show begins at 7:00 pm
and ends at 8:30 pm
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The Physics in Motion |
Friday, September 22nd, 2023
Saturday, September 23rd, 2023
Show begins at 7:00pm
and ends at 8:30 pm
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2022-2023 Physics is Phun Programs
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Title
|
Times and Dates
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A Show of Ice & Fire |
Friday, February 3rd, 2023
Saturday, February 4th, 2023
Show begins at 7:00pm
and ends at 8:30pm
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The Physics of Sound |
Friday, October 14th, 2022
Show begins at 7:00pm
and ends at 8:30pm
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2018-2019 Physics is Phun Programs
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Title
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Times and Dates
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Your Body in Space |
Thursday, April 4, 2019
Friday, April 5, 2019
Show begins at 7:00pm
Program ends at 8:30pm
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 Induction and Deduction
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Thursday, October 11, 2018
Friday, October 12, 2018
Show begins at 7:00pm
Program ends at 8:30pm
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2017-2018 Physics is Phun Programs
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Title
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Times and Dates
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 Full Spectrum
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Friday, June 1, 2018
Saturday, June 2, 2018
Shows begin at 7:00pm
Programs end at 8:30pm
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 The Physics of Radiation in Three Acts
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Friday, March 23, 2018
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Shows begin at 7:00pm
Programs end at 8:30pm
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 Catch the Gravitational Wave
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Friday, December 1, 2017
Saturday, December 2, 2017
Shows begin at 7:00pm
Programs end at 8:30pm
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 World in Motion
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Friday, October 20, 2017
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Shows begin at 7:00pm
Programs end at 8:30pm
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2016-2017 Physics is Phun Programs
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Title
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Times and Dates
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 The Physics of Fantastic Worlds:
From Star Wars to Harry Potter
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Friday, March 3, 2017
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Shows begin at 7:00pm
Programs end at 8:30pm
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2015-2016 Physics is Phun Programs
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Title
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Times and Dates
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 Celebrating Light
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Friday, October 16, 2015
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Shows begin at 7:00pm
Programs end at 8:30pm
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 Loud Physics
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Thursday, December 10, 2015
Friday, December 11, 2015
Shows begin at 7:00pm
Programs end at 8:30pm
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 Out of the Dark: Electricity and Magnetism
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Friday, March 4, 2016
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Shows begin at 7:00pm
Programs end at 8:30pm
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 Newton's World
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Saturday, April 30, 2016
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2014-2015 Physics is Phun Programs
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Title
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Times and Dates
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More Information
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 Out of the Dark: Sparking Electricity and Magnetism
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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 |
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 Hot and Cold
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Fri, Feb 6, 2015 7:00-8:30 pm Sat, Feb 7, 2015 7:00-8:30 pm |
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Newton's World
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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 |