“Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination” 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, which is on tour in the US, showcases landspeeders, R2D2 and other icons as engineering design challenges, and highlights how researchers are currently pursuing similar technologies.
At over 10,000 square feet, it’s a Star Wars showcase 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. 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. 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.
“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.”
Created with the support of the US National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings, the 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.
If you can’t make it to the exhibition in person, get a glimpse of the show through a multimedia tour at the original exhibition website: http://www.mos.org/starwars/doc/1857. The site also lists where the exhibition will be appearing for the remainder of the year.