Find out more about CERN and the Science Gateway campus.

We want our visitors to engage with CERN and science through authentic and inspirational experiences. Find out more about what we have to offer. 

Are you fascinated by physics and engineering? Curious to dive into CERN’s research activities and technological achievements? Then join one of our guided tours. CERN physicists, engineers, students and staff will show you around fascinating places at CERN, either in-person or online. 

Come and get inspired by one of our interactive science shows! See science in real life in a theatre-style setting and take part in the fun activities included in the show. The shows are delivered by members of CERN’s scientific community and cover everything from states of matter and levitation to electromagnetism and the Universe. 

Access is free within the seat capacity limit (198 seats in general). The shows cannot be booked in advance.

Use scintillation detectors to understand the basic principles of Positron-Emission-Tomography (PET) and locate a positron source.

Positron Emission Tomography is one of the most widely-used medical applications of particle physics and CERN has made major contributions to the development of this key technology. 

Work with liquid nitrogen to explore the properties of superconductors and learn how superconducting cables are used at CERN.

Superconductors are essential at CERN. The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) uses superconducting cables in its powerful electromagnets to generate magnetic fields strong enough to bend the particles.

Learn how to make and control an electron beam and observe how electrons behave in magnetic fields.

Build your own particle detector to make ionising particles visible and study the properties of different particle tracks.

Although we can't see them, ionising particles are part of our everyday life. For example, cosmic particles interacting with the upper layers of the Earth’s atmosphere produce showers of new particles, some of which reach ground level. Naturally occurring radioactive elements in the air emit alpha particles. Through interaction with certain detector materials, we can make tracks of ionising particles visible. 

Investigate balloon hovercraft and learn how engineers at CERN design and use air pad systems to move detector slices that are heavier than 500 elephants!

Technology at CERN is multidisciplinary, spans a huge range and is constantly pushing the boundaries of what we consider possible.  For example, engineers at CERN can move detector parts weighing over 1000 tonnes by using the power of air. These hover-craft-like airpads reduce friction and move detector parts efficiently.