The Downtown Phoenix campus started off this year's Night of the Open Door — five free open houses over the month of February — on Friday, welcoming crowds of visitors enjoying the mild weather and the chance to peek into Arizona State University's learning spaces.
Families watched health-cooking demos, explored a coral reef, learned about law and sustainability and the physics of roller coasters, and even got a chance to interview a K-9 officer about his work with his four-legged partner.
This year, downtown visitors got a double treat, as the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication held its annual Innovation Day in conjunction with Night of the Open Door. There, the storytelling technology of the future was available for participants to try out, from telepresence robots to drones to 360 virtual reality video.
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Jessica Cheng, a volunteer with the Global Institute of Sustainability, welcomes families to the Downtown Phoenix campus Night of the Open Door celebration Friday. Cheng graduated from ASU in 2004 and currently works as a fundraiser.
Photo by Anya Magnuson/ASU Now
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There is so much to check out at the Night of the Open Door at the Downtown Phoenix campus Friday. ASU's other Valley campuses will host their own Night of the Open Door events over the course of February, with different activities on each campus.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Sparky poses with 10-year-old Naysa Roquemore and her mother, ASU alumna Wendy Johnson, on Friday. The family was in the Barrett, the Honors College center's You Have a Minute to Win It!
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Jana Reisslein (left), 8-year-old Kate Reisslein and friend Cesar Rebollo, 14, make balsamic vinaigrette for their salads. The group learned about the ingredients' health benefits as part of the Kitchen Demonstrations by the College of Health Solutions Dean's Office.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Seven-year-old Christian Tso, of Ahwatukee, adjusts a slide of pool water under the microscope, as his 5-year-old brother, Samson, looks on. Christian brought his family to Microbes: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly demonstration because of his interest in science. The exhibit was part of the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts' program.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Nine-year-old Miley Rhames grinds a zucchini noodle with her father, Curtis Rhames, as they learn about nutrition in The Art of Veggie Noodles activity. Kathy Dixon, a faculty member in nutrition, dishes up samples of the finished meal. The Rhames, from Farmington, New Mexico, are in town for Miley's gymnastic competition.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Eleven-year-old Sam Martin (left) and 9-year-old Shelby Martin carry out a science experiment that examines the various densities of water and oil.
Photo by Anya Magnuson/ASU Now
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Instructional aid Karen Norris points out who's hiding in the coral reef to 8-year-old Aleska Roberts. Aleska is very interested in animals, and Norris plans to continue her graduate education in animal conservation through genetics. The exhibit was part of the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts' program.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Aiden Newberg, 6, types with his father, Brian, at an ASU Now-sponsored event where participants learn how to interview ASU experts and type up their stories on deadline.
Photo by Anya Magnuson/ASU Now
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Sixteen-year-old Bhavani Subbaraman (center) and her mother, Kamala Venkataraman, look at a human spinal cord presented by ASU senior Riley Estes, an exercise and wellness major. Bhavani is a junior in high school considering studying integrated health at ASU.
Photo by Anya Magnuson/ASU Now
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Bowman and Eden Hartsfield, both 7, learn how to control camera drones on the second floor of the Cronkite School building. Their mother, Courtney Hartsfield, teaches at the ASU Preparatory Academy in Phoenix.
Photo by Anya Magnuson/ASU Now
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Kids and their parents watch as "elephant toothpaste" foam flows. The chemistry experiment, which used hydrogen peroxide, dish soap and potassium iodide, was performed by the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Spencer Dreisezun, 10, tries out a virtual reality interaction game set in the human cell during Innovation Day at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication on ASU's Downtown Phoenix campus Friday.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Eleven-year-old Hailey Maupin does chest compressions on a sim baby mannequin. The Simulation Experience gave people the opportunity to react to critical emergencies, as part of an exhibit sponsored by the College of Nursing and Health Innovation.
Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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Christyn Gibbs, 6, plays lawn games in front of the downtown Phoenix post office as part of ASU's Night of the Open Door celebration. Christyn's father, Marques, is an ASU Cronkite School graduate who works as a writer.
Photo by Anya Magnuson/ASU Now
If you missed the fun, don't worry: There are four more free Night of the Open Door events this month:
- West campus: 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11
- Polytechnic campus: 4-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17
- Thunderbird campus: 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18
- Tempe campus: 3-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25
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 and enter to win a gift package. Tickets also function as an express pass to collect the free glow wand and event programs at the registration booths once on campus.
Check ASU Now after each event for photo galleries and video, and follow along as our crew shows all the fun on Snapchat (search for username: ASUNow).
Top photo: Seven-year-old Christian Tso, of Ahwatukee, looks at live organisms under the microscope at the Downtown Phoenix campus, Friday, Feb. 3. He brought his family to Microbes: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly demonstration because of his interest in science. The exhibit was part of the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts program. Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
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