Argonne National Laboratory has recently implemented an access policy (LMS-POL-59) for minors (defined as anyone under the age of 18) coming to the Lab for research-focused visits, educational and outreach programs, tours, and personal visits.

The Advanced Photon Source (APS) would like to make the user community aware of some general requirements and guidelines for common types of visits by minors here at the facility.

Minors must be at least 16 years of age to participate in a hands-on, research-focused visit.

If you are not an Argonne employee (e.g., you are an APS user or collaborative access team member or staff) and wish to have a minor participate in your research program, an APS Minor Participation form, a Student-Parent Release form (ANL-1194), and a Minor Addendum form (ANL-1192, to amend the sponsoring institution’s Master User Agreement) must all be signed prior to any activity.

For questions about these forms, for copies of the forms, and for any additional details, please contact the APS User Office: 630-252-9090, [email protected].

Additional safety- and policy-related requirements specific to minors must be adhered to.

In more general terms, the following guidelines apply:

• Minors 16 to 18: Must wear a valid gate pass during visits. Can visit non-work areas, can perform hands-on work in public and approved non-public areas within policy and safety guidelines, and can participate in Lab- or Division-sponsored tours.
• Minors 12-15: Can visit non-work areas and select non-public areas to observe scientific facilities (but cannot perform hands-on work), and can participate in Lab- or Division-sponsored tours.
• Under 12: Can visit non-work areas, public spaces, and can participate in Lab- or Division-sponsored tours.

Please note that the public areas at the APS are the main lobby of Building 401/402, the experiment hall viewing gallery, the Building 401 fifth floor overlook, and the Building 402 auditorium and gallery. The experiment hall floor is not a public area.

Argonne employees can access the Lab policy on visits by minors at this URL (must be inside the Argonne/APS network): https://docs.anl.gov/main/groups/intranet/@shared/@lms/documents/policy/lms-pol-59.pdf