Interactive Exhibits: Simply stated, the Haunted Physics Lab is an interactive science museum with a Halloween theme. Use plenty of Halloween decorations. Build your haunted lab around the demonstration apparatus and laboratory equipment you have available. If it's old and looks like it might have come out of Dr. Frankenstein's lab, so much the better. Substitute Halloween-type items for standard items as much as possible; for example, use a little Dracula or ghost figurine as an object in the "Mirage" for one of the exhibits.

Darkened Room: The ambient light should come from the exhibits. Keep the overhead room lights turned off.

Background Music: Music is essential for a successful haunted lab. Especially good are selections from Chiller by the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra (for example, their renditions of "Phantom of the Opera" and "Night on Bald Mountain") and from the Fresh Aire series by Mannheim Steamroller. The new Halloween CD by Mannheim Steamroller is very good, but avoid the cheap made-for-Halloween recordings, especially those that overdo ghoulish sound effects.

Haunted Laboratory Guide: Visitors pick up the guide as they enter the lab. It identifies each interactive exhibit with a number corresponding to a prominently displayed number at the exhibit. Visitors are instructed to follow the numbers as they work their way through the maze of exhibits, doing the activities and making the observations for each exhibit suggested in the laboratory guide. When the lab is a class assignment, spaces should be provided in the guide for students to record their responses. They are instructed to sign their laboratory guides and deposit them in a drop box as they exit the lab.

Facilitators: Knowledgeable people should be on hand to answer questions and point out subtleties that might otherwise be missed. For public showings especially, this is an excellent way to get the members of your physics or science club involved. They'll also enjoy helping you set up the lab and learn a lot by doing it.

Avoid Excessive Gore, Mad-Scientist Portrayals, and Juvenile Scare Antics: Unlike the typical "blood and guts" haunted house attractions that are commonplace during the Halloween season, parents should feel comfortable bringing their young children to your haunted laboratory. Make it a mature, "frightfully fun" learning experience for all!