Visit to U.S. Air Force Academy Planetarium and Observatory

Description: Students will tour the U.S. Air Force Academy’s state-of-the-art astronomical observation facility, with the opportunity for imaging if weather permits. The visit will also include a show in the Academy’s planetarium.
Time: Events will run from approximately 5:15 PM to 9:30 PM, with time budgeted for dinner. In terms of departure and arrival from Denver, participants should plan for 3:00 PM (board bus at Sheraton Hotel) to 11:00 PM (arrive at Sheraton Hotel).
Max # participants: 20
Restrictions: Visitors must be U.S. citizens. Some walking required.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory Tour

Description: NREL focuses one three primary threats facing humanity: climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Students will visit a variety of research labs, engage directly with staff scientists, and discuss career paths at NREL. Lunch at the NREL Café
Time: Tour starts 8:30 AM
Max # participants: 100
Restrictions: DACA and most foreign nationals can attend. All foreign nationals must submit additional registration information about 30 day before tour. No one from Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria can attend.

Colorado School of Mines Tour

Description: PhysCon attendees will visit general mining operations areas within the Edgar Mine as well as specific mining sites dedicated to neutrino studies and the impact of high energy radiation on quantum information devices. This will be followed by a lunch at School of Mines featuring presentations that address quantum physics, quantum literacy, the role of quantum engineering in the future of computing, and the opportunity to bring students and STEM professionals up to speed on key concepts needed by the quantum industry today. Attendees will also visit various research facilities to interact with School of Mines students and faculty focusing on topics including electroweak interactions, light-matter interactions, nanophotonics, quantum materials and devices, and high-energy astro-particle physics.
Time: Tour starts 6:30 AM
Max # participants: 200

Colorado State University Tour

Description: After a short welcome and presentation, PhysCon attendees will visit the laboratory housing the Advanced Laser of Extreme Photonics (ALEPH), a Petawatt-Class ultra-short pulsed laser. They will also visit varioius research facilities to interact with Department of Physics students and faculty focusing on topics including laser spectroscopy of trapped highly charged ions, ultracold neutral plasmas, nanomagnetism, vortex dynamics, neutrino interactions, ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, and quantum material at the atomic level.
Time: Tour starts 8:30 AM
Max # participants: 25

Tour of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Facility in Boulder, CO

Description: NOAA, Boulder, is home to four research laboratories, the National Centers for Environmental Information, the local forecasting office for the National Weather Service, and the Space Weather Prediction Center. A tour of NOAA Boulder will include a visit to the Weather Forecasting Office, the Space Weather Prediction Center, the Global Monitoring Laboratory, and the Science on a Sphere theater.
Time: The tour will begin at 10:00 AM and run until approximately 11:30. Additional time (~30 minutes) will be required for check-in; how long this will take will depend on the size of the group.
Max # participants: 40
Restrictions: Visitors must be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents. Names must be submitted to security AT LEAST one week in advance.

Tour of National Institute of Standards and Technology

Description: NIST is America’s national metrology laboratory under the Department of Commerce, was formed in 1901, and is one of the nation’s oldest physical science laboratories. Today, innumerable products and services rely in some way on technology, measurement, and standards provided by NIST. At its secondary location in Boulder, Colorado, NIST has advanced atomic clocks, microfabrication, computer chips, communications technology, quantum information and technology. Box lunches brought on bus to NIST
Time: The tour will begin at 9:00 AM and run until approximately 11:30. Lunch follows.
Max # participants: 30
Restrictions: U.S. citizens, permanent residents only

Hiking Acoustics Tour of Red Rocks

Description: Join us for an acoustic tour of Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre. This tour will be a hiking tour and include a discussion of the park, the acoustics of the ampitheatre, and some cool history of the area.
Time: Tour starts 8:30 AM
Max # participants: 45
Restrictions: This tour is considered to be very active - strenuous walking, hiking, and stairs are expected. Please bring plenty of water and appropriate hiking clothing.