Physics and Families: The Open Physics Lab and other experiences

The Orlando Science Center has constructed a modern, computer assisted laboratory for physics experiments and demonstrations, that is accessible to the general public. It is equipped with a complete line of computerized data acquisition instruments, at the level of a modern university teaching laboratory, including both ``wet'' and ``dry'' lab capabilities. The project was designed to bring the experience of a "day in the laboratory" to the general public, consisting of a wide mix of people groupings, from individuals, to families, to school groups. We will discuss what works and does not work in a public setting, how the public reacts to a facility like this, and extensions to other fields of science.