Louisville Science Center Announces Powerful Lineup of New Exhibits

Louisville Science Center announced its new strategic direction and a powerful lineup of new exhibits featured in the next year.

The Science Center, which has been historically committed to science literacy, is expanding its capacity as a leader in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) – skills that are critical to workforce development and innovation, preparing future leaders for the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century. Over the past year, the Science Center has enhanced its programmatic efforts and offerings, including seasonal Family Science Drop-In Events, a broad array of science camps, the introduction of 5,300 square feet in its new Science Education Wing, and an overall ramped up commitment to science literacy. The Science Center has also worked to be a catalyst for creative, open-minded thinking about science issues that can often be controversial through an adult dialogue series called Scientific Proofs, which launched in November with a conversation on health care reform.

“Science literacy is about empowering individuals and communities to ask questions, think creatively, solve problems and work toward a better quality of life for all,” said Science Center Executive Director Joanna Haas. “We are working every day to ignite our community on that front, to encourage a buzz about science, and to create new levels of insight, engagement and understanding of science literacy.”

Mayor Jerry Abramson said, “There is no question that we need higher levels of educational attainment and overall science literacy in our community, region and state. Increasing interest in science, math, technology and engineering by engaging children at young ages will lead to future innovations that will impact not only our community but our world.”

The Science Center also announced a new lineup of exhibits, beginning with Robots: The Interactive Exhibition (which opened March 20) and continuing July 3 with Sesame Street: Presents the Body, followed in January 2011 with Star Trek: The Exhibition, and capped off in June 2011 with The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition, based on the timeless works of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia. This exhibit lineup follows the unprecedented attendance experienced during the run of Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, which was open October 3, 2009 – March 7, 2010. Nearly 80,000 people experienced the exhibition and total Science Center attendance increased 80 percent.

“With this powerful lineup of exhibits, people will have even more great reasons to visit Louisville,” said Jim Wood, president and CEO of the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We expect a huge regional draw for these exhibitions and also expect that, with more people vacationing close to home, that Louisvillians will come out in force to support such great things to do here in our own backyard.”

About Robots: The Interactive Exhibition (http://robotstour.com/) The exhibition features more than 15 interactive areas offering scientific adventures that allow visitors to enter the world of robotics and explore the “reel and real” science of robotics. In the area Robot Explorers, visitors can use a robotic probe to explore underwater, deep space or the surface of Mars. Families can take a spin on the Crosstown Express, exploring robotic vehicles both real and fictional. Industrial Robots allows visitors to program an actual Ford robotic arm, similar to that used in manufacturing plants. Robot Round Up explores robots in daily life, allowing visitors to use remotes to control various types of robots. Visitors can even Build-a-Wonder-Bot that performs useful functions, such as helping with daily chores. Families can also learn about the future of robotics and how they will help in reshaping our world. Guests will also encounter robots made famous by Hollywood, including C-3P0 (Star Wars), Robby the Robot (Forbidden Planet) and Gort (The Day the Earth Stood Still). Robots: The Interactive Exhibition and its national tour are made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund, the community relations and philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company.Under license by Twentieth Century Fox, the exhibit was produced by Global Experience Specialists, Inc (GES). The exhibition is sponsored locally by Zirmed.

About Sesame Street Presents: The Body (http://sesamestreetpresents.com/) Sesame Street Presents: The Body is produced by Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, and Thinkwell Design & Production. The exhibition is part of Sesame Workshop’s Healthy Habits for Life Initiative, created in response to the growing health crisis in today’s children and is designed to address the importance of establishing an early foundation of healthy habits. Sesame Street Presents: The Body offers an engaging, free-flowing learning experience set in the familiar and reassuring world of Sesame Street. The loveable Muppets from Sesame Street anchor an exciting collection of hands-on, interactive and multimedia experiences that allow children to explore the human body. Each exhibit area has multiple activities to provide age appropriate and exciting learning opportunities for children at a variety of developmental levels. The exhibition emphasizes scientific investigation and developmental and curriculum based learning goals for children ranging from two to eight years old. These learning goals tie into the National Science Education Standards, the Benchmarks for Science Literacy and the Sesame Street Curriculum for Health and Science.

About Star Trek: The Exhibition (http://www.startrekexhibition.com/) Star Trek: The Exhibition presents museums and education-minded communities with a unique opportunity; the chance to effortlessly educate and inspire scientific and creative thinking in a familiar and entertaining atmosphere. By simultaneously taking visitors into the universe of the future and the past, Star Trek: The Exhibition allows visitors to reconnect with iconic Star Trek moments and characters while exploring the creative spirit of science fiction that gave us many of today’s modern marvels.

About The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition (http://www.narniaexhibition.com) Fire a giant catapult, lift a sword and build a castle archway! In The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition, guests discover the science and wonder illuminated in the blockbuster Disney film series and the timeless works of author C.S. Lewis. With hands-on,interactive elements and original film artifacts, guests encounter topics like geography, archeology, engineering, humanity’s impact on nature and environmental changes. The exhibition was produced by Las Vegas-based Global Experience Specialists, Inc. (GES), a Viad Corp (NYSE: VVI) company, is a leading provider of exhibition, event and retail marketing services. Given its recent consolidation with Exhibitgroup/Giltspur and Becker Group, GES provides an even wider range of services, including turn-key official show services, cutting-edge creative and design, marketing and measurement services – all with an unrivaled global reach. GES partners with leading shows and brands, including the International CES, Spring Fair Birmingham, International Woodworking Fair, CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE, Bell Helicopter, Genzyme, L’Oreal, Warner Bros., and Simon Property Group. For more information, visit www.ges.com.

About the Louisville Science Center (www.LouisvilleScience.org) The Louisville Science Center is a nonprofit educational institution that encourages people of all ages to enjoy science, mathematics and technology in a stimulating and engaging environment that is educational as well as entertaining. Designated the “State Science Center of Kentucky” by the 2002 Kentucky General Assembly, the Louisville Science Center features interactive exhibits and engaging programs for children, families and adults. The Louisville Science Center is committed to growing a scientifically literate community that investigates, questions, and challenges.