Washington: Seattle, Pacific Science Center The Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination.
Just in time for spring break PSC is previewing an awesome glimpse of another Galaxy meant to be shared with your kids. See Yoda and Darth Vader. Test your own speeders and robots.
Pacific Science Center (one of my all time favorite museums) poses the question could the technologies of the fantasy worlds of Star Wars someday become a reality? They have that answer for your inspection. On March 19, 2011, Pacific Science Center launched an innovative exhibition designed to use the futuristic imaginings of one of the world’s most successful film franchises as a lens into the future of robotics, medicine and travel.
The Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination. The exhibit was developed by Boston’s Museum of Science, in collaboration with Lucasfilm Ltd., and features 10,000 square feet filled with over 100 Star Wars and real world artifacts, as well as 21 innovative interactive exhibits that explore the fantasy technologies depicted in the Star Wars films.
See landspeeders and starfighters. Highlights include Luke's original landspeeder from Episode IV alongside scale models of X- and Y-wing starfighters and TIE fighters. Visitors will also see an original Yoda puppet from the classic trilogy and Darth Vader's actual helmet from Episode III. Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination invites guests into a unique, immersive exhibit environment. Hands-on experiences allow visitors to explore the droids and landspeeders of Star Wars and learn about the important roles that imagination and science play in the creation of our increasingly sophisticated real world machines.
Listen to filmmakers, scientists, and engineers. With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), presented by Bose Corporation and locally sponsored by Boeing, Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination is the first exhibition to showcase costumes and props from all six Star Wars films while exploring cutting-edge research and modern technologies that could someday make the fantasy world of Star Wars a reality. The exhibit includes extensive video interviews with filmmakers, scientists and engineers; and hands-on components, including two large Engineering Design Labs, where visitors can build and test their own speeders and robots.
Award-winning filmmaker and Star Wars creator George Lucas reflects on the exhibit, ―I'm happy that Star Wars can help to educate people about technology in an entertaining way. Technological innovation and filmmaking have a lot in common; they both begin with imagination and creativity
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION. Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination is organized around solving human needs with two technology themes: Getting Around and Robots & People. Getting Around focuses on transportation in the films as well as new and future modes of travel. The Robots and People portion explores the relationship between robots and humans both on screen and in the real world. The exhibit culminates in two multi-station Engineering Design Labs where visitors design, build and test solutions to challenges. Two other themes are also explored: medical technologies and adapting to environments.
Graphics, artifacts, and interactive video components introduce visitors up to date on the latest research efforts related to specific technological challenges outlined in each EDL. For each challenge, the components will be designed and grouped to engage visitors to inquire what, how, and why — essential questions to build technological literacy.
Tatooine, Kashyyyk, Coruscant, Hoth - The Worlds of Star Wars. From harsh deserts to underwater cities and the forest world, visitors can explore some of the unique environments seen in the Star Wars films at freestanding displays integrated throughout the exhibit. Costumes from each of the Star Wars worlds will demonstrate how the environment shaped the look of the Star Wars characters. It will also show visitors how people on Earth, similar to that on screen, adapt according to their surroundings. Some of the colorful costumes on display include Wookiees from Kashyyyk, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin and Yoda from Coruscant, a snowtrooper from Hoth, and a Ja wa, from Tatooine.
Experience Hyperspace. Experience a full-size cockpit replica of Episode IV's Millennium Falcon! Visitors watch a multimedia presentation featuring imagery from the Hubble space telescope that explores what we know about our own galaxy in a breathtaking journey to the edge of the Universe. Featuring a proprietary sound system from Bose Corporation, the recreated cockpit debuts the technologies of 3Space™ audio systems, providing visitors with a realistic three-dimensional audio experience. The Falcon experience is an additional $2 for general public and $1 for Science Center members (cash only).
Location on the planet. Pacific Science Center 200 2nd Ave N Seattle, WA 98109.
Make it happen. Tickets to Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination are for a timed entry and include general admission to Pacific Science Center. Admission is $20 for adults; $18 for seniors (65 and over); $15 for youth (6-15); and $13 for children (ages 3-5). For more information on the exhibition or to reserve tickets, visit pacificsciencecenter.org or call toll-free 1-800-664-8775. Members can purchase tickets for the exhibition at a special rate of $4. Discounted group rates are also available. The exhibition will be on display at Pacific Science Center through May 8, 2011. For updates on Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination, visit
www.pacificsciencecenter.org About Pacific Science Center. The Center inspires a lifelong interest in science, math and technology by engaging diverse communities through interactive and innovative exhibits and programs. Pacific Science Center began as the United States Science Pavilion during the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. Millions came to explore the wonders of science during the World's Fair and upon closing ceremonies, the Science Pavilion was given new life as the private not-for-profit Pacific Science Center, becoming the first U.S. museum founded as a science and technology center. On October 22, 2012 Pacific Science Center will celebrate making science fun for 50 years.
Editor’s note. One of the reasons I endorse Seattle’s Pacific Science Center is because of their exceptional live science shows offered daily. Creative and clever the mini science lessons are pure theatre with a purpose. Look for the bright blue signs indicating the live science connections - no two days will be the same
Learning together makes all the difference. An additional reason for hooking up with Pacific Science Center is to join the exceptional fieldtrip programs. For example on the second Saturday of every month at Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center in Bellevue, staff conduct hour-long workshops on the second Saturday every month. (Mercer Slough Nature Parkand Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center 1625 118th Ave. SE Bellevue, WA 98005. (425)452-2565 or
bellevuewa.gov)
http://www.bellevuewa.gov/mseec.htm
A spot to chill out and practice whispering. The facility also houses and amazing exhibition “Dinosaurs: A Journey Through Time” that includes animatronic dinosaurs, interactive exhibits, real fossils, and dioramas. Parts of the museum can become crazy with lights, sounds, small-sized people and too much stimulation. But PSC has a calming solution readymade. For me the most comforting spot in the museum is Tropical Butterfly House. It is always warm, sunny and populated with l butterflies plus new residents arrive weekly from South and Central America, Africa, and Asia so no visit will ever disappoint.
Content and images provided by Pacific Science Center, Seattle. Comments by Nancy Nelson-Duac, Editor FTF. Copyright 2011.
