Crowds of curious children and their families got a chance to peek into Arizona State University's learning spaces on Saturday at the first of four free open houses this month.
The Polytechnic campus kicked off this year's Open Door with scores of intriguing activities, including an interactive look at thermal imaging cameras, a tour of its robotics labs, turns in the flight simulator, paper rocket launches and, of course, Sparky.
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Doctoral student Sunny Amatya demonstrates a soft elbow assistant exoskeleton in the robotics lab during Open Door on Feb. 2 at the Polytechnic campus.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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A young visitor has fun with the thermal imaging camera in the photo studio at the Polytechnic campus.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Luke tests out a flight simulator in the Simulator Building at ASU Open Door.
Photo by Marcus Chormicle/ASU Now
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Kylie Sgarbossa, 10, of Chandler, watches a metal 3D printer in action.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Makenna Rowles makes a keychain at the ASU Polytechnic Open Door. Open Door gives the community the opportunity to interact with the programs and initiatives at ASU, and score some Sun Devil swag.
Photo by Marcus Chormicle/ASU Now
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Well-dressed skeletons pointed visitors to interactive learning experiences and activities during Open Door on the Polytechnic campus on Saturday.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Eight-year-old Kailani Rue, of Gilbert, takes aim with her just-made slingshot rocket. Want to see how it turned out? See the next photo.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Success! Kailani looks pretty excited about the distance her rocket went.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Sparky poses for a photo with brothers Elan, 8, and Xavi Robles, 5, of Gilbert, at ASU Open Door.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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The flight simulator building was a very popular place to explore. Guests were able to take a firsthand look at how ASU trains pilots.
Photo by Marcus Chormicle/ASU Now
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Kelby Clark does pull-ups at the ASU Polytechnic Open Door. Members of the Army ROTC were at the event promoting physical fitness and sharing info about their program.
Photo by Marcus Chormicle/ASU Now
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Ezra got a kick out of crushing a can in a vice in one of the shops at the Polytechnic campus.
Photo by Marcus Chormicle/ASU Now
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Mechanical engineering graduate student Raghav Sharma talks about 3D printing at ASU Open Door.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Senior Emma Lynch in the Applied Biological Sciences lab teaches cousins Adam Christensen, 12, of Gilbert (left), and Ethan Christensen, 12, of Ahwatukee, about a horse's skull from a plastic replica.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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The paper rockets launch activity was one of the more popular on Saturday. Visitor Haley definitely enjoyed her launch.
Photo by Marcus Chormicle/ASU Now
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The Fun with Chemistry activity showed visitors how to make their own lava lamp.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
If you missed the fun, don't worry: There are three more free Open Door events:
- Downtown Phoenix campus: 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9
- West campus: 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16
- Tempe campus: 1-6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23
Read more about what's in store at each campus here, including information on the free app that can help visitors map out the activities they want to visit. Get free tickets in advance online.
Video by Jordan Currier/ASU
Check ASU Now after each event for photo galleries and video.
Top photo: Eight-month-old Leo Long could someday pursue a career in space in rockets designed by his parents, both postdoctoral researchers in mechanical engineering at ASU. For now, they'll go with the astronaut photo op at ASU Open Door on Feb. 2. Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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