More than 3,000 people flocked to the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s Open House last weekend, taking part in hands-on plasma activities in the Science Education laboratory, watching science demonstrations, and getting a behind-the-scenes look at the lab’s fusion machines and talked to some of the nation’s top physicists and engineers at the laboratory. There were dozens of activities, including NASA moon rocks, firefighting demonstrations by the lab’s emergency services unit, a cryogenics demonstration and lectures by PPPL Laboratory Director Stewart Prager.

Einstein & kids OH 6-1-13 — Albert Einstein (aka physicist Arturo Dominguez) poses with Riley Mastromarino, 5, left, and his brother, Elliott, 8, of Hamilton. Photo: Elle Starkman/PPPL Office of Communications.

Prasad Chalasani, of Princeton Junction, and his son, Avinash, 8, examine a plasma ball in the Science Education Laboratory at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s Open House. Photo: Elle Starkman/PPPL Office of Communications. — Prasad Chalasani of Princeton Junction, and his son, Avinash, 8, examine a plasma ball at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s Open House. Photo: Elle Starkman/PPPL Office of Communications.

PPPL Science Writer John Greenwald explains some of the basic principles of fusion to visitors at the fusion demonstration machine.

Emergency Services Officer John Mazukewicz shows a youngster how to put out a fire during fire safety demonstrations in the PPPL parking lot.

Krystal Knapp

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Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.