Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s start with what it isn’t—it isn’t a lecture! You will not fall asleep. The show is a series of fun, exciting demonstrations of the laws of nature.

Donations are greatly appreciated! Make a direct donation online here, or contribute to our cause by purchasing a ticket, t-shirt, or by donating at the show.

Additionally, if you or your organization feel you have a connection or resource that could help us, please let us know by filling out our Physics Show Partnership Interest Form.

If you have any additional ideas, please contact Frank Cascarano at cascaranofrank@fhda.edu.

There is a long flight of stairs from Parking Lot 1 to the theater. If you have a passenger that will require special access, make a left off the loop road at the first bus stop, make a sharp left at the bookstore receiving dock, go up the steep hill until you cannot go any farther (if you go under the pedestrian overpass, you missed the turn.  Go all the way around campus and try again).  Drop your passenger off, this is the closest you can get a car to the theater. Then, park your car in Lot 1.

If the driver requires no stair access, park in Lot 8. Lot 8 is close, but requires two elevators to get to the theater. With a DMV issued placard for "handicapped" parking you may park in any lot on campus without a permit.

This is an event for the entire family—ages 5 and up. Although we target families with elementary school age children, there is enough information to keep the older kids and parents interested as well. The younger attendees leave knowing that they saw a show about science and that it was fun (the most important first lesson in science). The older ones may actually pick up on the explanations. Middle school kids always seem to enjoy the show, too. We get very few high school students. 

We do suggest a minimum age of 5, as sometimes lights go out, loud noises are produced, and our “fun” demonstrations appear scary to pre-schoolers. 

We aim for about 75 minutes.

You are basically buying a seat. If the child needs a seat, get a ticket for them!

We put together one version of the show each year. The same show is presented multiple times on weekends in September, December, and January in order to accommodate more people, but each show during that academic year is basically identical. Visit the Home page to view the calendar of shows each year!

Each year, to keep things fresh, we change all the topics from the previous year (of course, we always end with the Bed-Of-Nails). If you come three years in a row you will start to see repeated topics.

We charge $8 per seat—no difference in cost for adults versus children. Parking is free in Lot 1. We also sell t-shirts, books, and patches before and after each show. We take both cash and credit cards (including Apple Pay). 

The show is held in Smithwick Theater on the main Foothill College campus in Los Altos Hills (12345 El Monte Rd, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022). Visit the Directions page for additional information.

We only partner with Title I Schools for our weekday field trip shows. If your school is a Title I School, please reach out to Frank Cascarano directly at cascaranofrank@fhda.edu. 

The Four Postmen were kind enough to allow us to use their song "Bed A' Nails" during our bed of nails demonstration, so we wanted to give them a little plug. They are often compared to the group Barenaked Ladies. Check them out!

Disclaimer: The full song is not exactly kid-friendly.