Star Wars Exhibition Brings Reality to Fantasy
Hollywood meets engineering in exhibition touring the United States
National Science Foundation
November 20, 2008
An exhibit developed by the Museum of Science, Boston, in collaboration with Lucasfilm, Ltd. explores the possibility that some of the robots, vehicles and devices of the Star Wars films are closer to reality than one might think.
The exhibition--now at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pa., through May 4--showcases landspeeders, R2D2 and other icons as engineering design challenges and highlights how researchers are currently pursuing similar technologies.
"We were surprised and delighted when we were developing the exhibit, to discover that many scientists working today were inspired by the fantasy technologies in the Star Wars movies," said Lawrence Bell, senior vice president at the Museum of Science and the lead investigator for the project. "We developed the exhibit with the goal of continuing that inspiration for the kids who will be the next set of future scientists."
Developed with the support of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings, the Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibition carries its messages with the help of film clips, props, models and costumes and invites visitor participation with hands-on exhibits and activities.
"By reaching more than 1.25 million visitors so far on its national tour, Star Wars is demonstrating the power of popular culture to engage both children and adults in activities that increase technological literacy," said David Ucko, deputy director for NSF's Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings Division, who oversaw the Museum of Science grant.
Following its stay in Philadelphia, the exhibit will next head to the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul, Minn., on June 13, 2008.
View a video news release about the exhibition.
The original exhibition Web site is at: http://www.mos.org/starwars/doc/1857.
The Franklin Institute exhibition Web site is at: http://www2.fi.edu/exhibits/traveling/starwars/.
An official press kit with additional images is available at: http://www2.fi.edu/press/epk/index.php.
Media Contacts
Joshua A. Chamot, NSF (703) 292-7730 jchamot@nsf.gov
Program Contacts
David A. Ucko, NSF (703) 292-5126 ducko@nsf.gov
Principal Investigators
Lawrence Ball, Boston Museum of Science (617) 589-0282 lbell@mos.org
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering, with an annual budget of $6.06 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to over 1,900 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 45,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes over 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly.
http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_images.jsp?cntn_id=111453&org=NSF
http://nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward.do?AwardNumber=0307875
Award Abstract #0307875
Traveling Exhibit on Technology, Imagination and the Future Using the Fantasy Technologies in the Star Wars Movies as Examples
NSF Org:
DRL
Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL)
Initial Amendment Date:
September 16, 2003
Latest Amendment Date:
June 6, 2005
Award Number:
0307875
Award Instrument:
Continuing grant
Program Manager:
David A. Ucko
DRL Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL)
EHR Directorate for Education & Human Resources
Start Date:
September 1, 2003
Expires:
August 31, 2006 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:
$2738060
Investigator(s):
Lawrence Bell lbell@mos.org (Principal Investigator)
Janice Crocker (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:
Museum of Science
Science Park
Boston, MA 02114 617/589-0118
NSF Program(s):
INFORMAL SCIENCE EDUCATION
Field Application(s):
0000099 Other Applications NEC
Program Reference Code(s):
SMET, 9177
Program Element Code(s):
7259
ABSTRACT
Over a three year period, the Museum of Science, Boston will develop a national traveling exhibition and associated programs that will support the goals and standards for technological literacy that were recently articulated in reports by the National Academy of Engineering and the International Technology Education Association.
Intellectual Merit. The exhibit will take advantage of the widely known characters and images of future technology from the Star Wars movies to attract visitors and to engage them in learning about potential technologies that may impact our lives. It incorporates new and adapted interactive devices that will involve visitors in inquiry-based learning about technologies related to frictionless land vehicles, robotic mobility mechanisms, and habitats for living underwater and in space.
Broader Impact. The exhibition will reach a large national audience by traveling to the members of the Science Museum Exhibit Collaborative as well as other institutions. Use of popular culture, science fiction and futuristic technology will help attract those who may not be traditional science center visitors. Educational impact will be extended through programming for the public and school groups, including materials for institutions that do not host the exhibition, along with a website.
Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.
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