During the past few years the haunted lab has spread to other educational institutions. Those done by Christopher Chiaverina and his colleagues at New Trier and Deerfield High Schools in Illinois are prime examples.⁷ Chris and I joined forces to present a Haunted Lab Workshop at the 2003 AAPT Summer Meeting in Madison, WI.

In their version of the haunted lab, Chris and his colleagues include a fairly large number of optical illusions—psychological, visual perception illusions (as distinct from the physical illusions produced by mirrors, lenses, and holograms). Although optical illusions can be quite effective in a haunted lab setting, I don't use them as exhibits. The reason is partly due to the difficulty I have explaining most optical illusions(!), but mainly it's because I want to stay with exhibits that illustrate principles of physics or, in a few cases, psychophysics such as color mixing and persistence of vision.

In any case, teaming up with teachers in other sciences to create a haunted lab makes good sense, particularly in a high school where space, time, and resources are limited. A science club project involving a team of high school teachers and students from a variety of disciplines, including the fine and performing arts, would be a fun way to create goodwill and enhance the understanding and appreciation of science in your school and community.