Spring 2026 Program

In this year's program, learn about new research and exciting developments in quantum computing, dark matter, information-age physics, order in chaos, observational cosmology, neutron stars and much more!

New: Registration before the first event necessary for minors

An event series for Texas High-School Students to go on a journey of discovering how physics can help us understand nature!

19th Year Running!

Earn a certificate for sustained attendance!

View the program brochure

Physics is a fundamental science to unravel the laws of nature so that we improve our understanding and appreciation of the world around us from the smallest to the largest scales.

You are cordially invited to attend the 19th edition of SMP to get unique first-hand insights into how scientist push the frontiers of knowledge on fundamental laws of physics, the phases of matter, the Universe, and often unexpected applications.

Listen to and discuss with world-renowned scientists working at Texas A&M University who have agreed to share their newest research in an entertaining and understandable way.

Saturday Morning Physics is a National Science Foundation-funded event series designed to indulge Texas high school students in the fascinating subatomic world of modern physics.

No prerequisites necessary! (except for your curiosity...)

Teacher participation encouraged!

Format

The format for each Saturday's program will be as follows:

9:30 Check-In
10:00 Lecture
11:00 Discussion/Q&A

The registration desk opens at 9:30am, and it is essential for each student to register in person.

Programs and Schedule

Certificates and Prizes

To be awarded a final "diploma" certificate, you will need to complete at least 5 out of 7 events. In addition, there is a common thread through the event sequence, so regular attendance is beneficial.

Registration

Registration is free . On-site registration will be possible until 9:50 AM on the day of each event. There will be open attendance allowed at each session.

We encourage all participants to register here before attending the first event. For minors, registration and acknowledgment of the liability waiver by a parent or custodian is mandatory due to university rules. Registration and attendance are free. Walk-in attendance is available for adults only

On-Line Registration

Location and Directions

Each program will be held at the Physics Department in the Hawking Auditorium of the George P. Mitchell Physics Building on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station, TX 77843.

Parking is available in the North Side Garage (adjacent to the venue). Visitor parking at the North Side Garage requires the purchase of a parking ticket at the vending machines close to the exits. Metered or free parking might also be found on city streets close by.

Contacts

If you have any questions about the Saturday Morning Physics program please contact:

Prof. Ralf Rapp (rapp@comp.tamu.edu)
Prof. Rainer Fries (rjfries@comp.tamu.edu)
Prof. Jeremy Holt (holt@comp.tamu.edu)

Phone: 979-845-1411

Links to other Saturday Morning Physics Programs

Fermilab: https://indico.fnal.gov/conferenceDisplay.py?confId=4692
Florida State University: http://www.physics.fsu.edu/Education-Outreach2/Saturday-Morning-Physics
University of Michigan: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/physics/events/saturdaymorningphysics
Darmstadt University (Germany): http://www.satmorphy.de

Acknowledgements

Thanks to the following individuals and institutions for their generous support:

Paula Barton, Shana Hutchins, and Bruce Hyman.
 The Cyclotron Institute and the
 Department of Physics at Texas A&M University, CENTAUR, and the National Science Foundation