February Science Saturday in Pensacola was presented by Dr. Chandra Prayaga and Dr. Aaron Wade, both from the Physics Department of the University of West Florida. This exciting and energy-packed Science Saturday was all about Lasers, Waves, and Holography.

The first of three activities involved transmitting sound - using a laser beam. The setup for this experiment involved learning some things about oscilloscopes, which could be used to view the sound wave that was being transmitted.

Once the system was working, sound from this megaphone or from someone's iPhone or iPod could be transmitted via laser bean and could then be heard through speakers at the other end of the room. No wires were used - only laser beams.

The second activity was about how waves travel. Dr. Aaron Wade provided several demonstrations of how waves move, in either longitudinal or transverse motion.

Extra large slinkies showed the movement of the waves. Different types of motion at the end of the slinky caused different types of waves.

Students had the opportunity to transmit both waves across the room, using table tops to support the slinks.

Two different sizes of slinkies were provided.

The third activity was about holography.

Students made their own holograms to take home, using a small model car for the basis of the image.

A big thank you to Dr. Prayaga and Dr. Wade, and to the University of West Florida for a fun morning of lasers, waves, and holography. Thank you also to the sponsors of the Spring 2015 Science Saturdays, the J.H. Baroco Foundation and the Kugelman Foundation, for making this and other Science Saturdays possible.