The University of Maryland's popular open house "Maryland Day" packed UMd.'s 1250 acre campus with over 400 tours, exhibits and demonstrations. The University uses the day to showcase the wide variety of programs available to potential students and helps members of the community appreciate research that benefits College Park and, in many cases, the world. The university breaks up the exhibits into six specific areas: Sports and Rec Row, Ag Day Avenue, Biz and Society Hill, Terp Town Center, Science and Tech Way and Arts Alley. These areas are represented by the colorful icons seen at the beginning of our video coverage.

University alumni such as Jeff Kinney, author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, and Joy Bauer, The Today Show’s nutrition and health expert, were on hand to speak and sign books. Visitors had the opportunity to pet animals at the campus farm, instruments at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center and insects in the Plant Sciences Building. Whether you wanted to experience a flaming tornado, learn about the quantum entanglement of photons or just dry your hair in the wind tunnel, there was no time for boredom.

Last year's event drew 55,200 visitors and this year's weather ensured an even larger crowd.  If you weren't a part of the throng, or you just want to see some sights you invariably missed, check out our video coverage of Maryland Day 2011.