The final piece of the “Star Wars” saga, “Revenge of the Sith,” was released in theaters last summer, causing hardcore fans to collectively slip into a deep depression at the realization – it’s over. Depressed fans living in Columbus can dry their tears, for the summer anyway, as “Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination” opens its first official United States stop at the Center for Science and Industry June 3. The exhibit will be open through Sept. 4.
Mayor Michael Coleman spoke during a press conference for the new exhibit at COSI Thursday morning.
“This is a great exhibit, one of our treasures in the city of Columbus, COSI, and I invited every man, woman and child in this region to come on down to COSI to see this wonderful, first time exhibit in the city of Columbus,” Coleman said.
Developed through the collaboration of the Museum of Science in Boston and Lucasfilm Ltd., the exhibit explores the real science behind various “Star Wars” creations, and the possibility of making those creations a reality.
“Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination” is divided into two main areas: “Getting Around,” which focuses on “Star Wars” transportation creations and new and futuristic methods of travel, and “Robots and People,” which analyzes the relationship between robots and humans, both in films and in reality.
“Getting Around” features an activity in which visitors are given the chance to steer an actual hovercraft and levitate for a brief period of time. COSI team leader, Mat Vandeneynden, explained how the hovercraft works.
“In hovercraft technology, there’s an air intake pushing the air down, and the air seeps out in all directions underneath the lip (of the hovercraft),” Vandeneynden said. “Because of equal and opposite reaction, the air goes down, the craft goes up.”
Vandeneynden said the hovercraft technology is the exact opposite of an air hockey table.
At “Robots and People,” guests can view displays of R2-D2, C-3PO, Darth Vader’s costumes and Luke’s and Anakin’s robotic hands. An interactive simulation allows visitors to control real-world robotic legs and look at neural and muscular implants that have the potential to grant people increased mobility in the future.
Weapons from “Star Wars” on display include authentic lightsabers, Wookie bowcasters, blasters and a thermal detonator. An optional multimedia tour explains the possibilities of what a lightsaber could actually be made of.
Actors in authentic costumes of Darth Vader, various types of Stormtroopers, Imperial Guardsmen, Tie Pilots and a robotic R2-D2 roam the area. Vader’s replica respirator even functions – well, makes the infamous noise anyway – and Stormtroopers nod in passing as if they were roaming the streets of Mos Eisley.
At the “Robot Object Theater,” visitors are given the opportunity to enter a large-scale model of the sandcrawler from “A New Hope.” Inside is a presentation that compares real-life robots with droids from “Star Wars,” hosted by an animatronic C-3PO and, through video projection, director of the robotic life group at the MIT Media Lab, Cynthia Breazeal.
Another large-scale model on display is the full-size replica of the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon, in which guests experience a four-and-a-half minute presentation on what would be necessary to travel the galaxy at the speed of light.
Costumes of characters such as Obi-Wan, Anakin and the Jawas, accompanied by overviews of “Star Wars” planets such as Hoth, Tatooine, Kashyyyk and Coruscant, are used to portray how the people of Earth are similarly required to wear clothes that help them adapt to their environments.
Video kiosks allow visitors to receive insight from filmmakers, engineers, scientists and technologists, including interviews with Breazeal and Rob Coleman, animation and development director for Lucasfilm Animation Ltd.
Spokeswoman Kelli Nowinsky said the most important thing COSI would like visitors to know is the different hours they will be open during the exhibit.
To accommodate the crowds that are expected for the exhibit, COSI will be open seven days a week, Monday through Sunday. In July and August they will stay open until 9 p.m. every Friday.
Admission to “Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination” is $17.50 for adults, $15.50 for seniors ages 60 and over and $12.50 for children ages 2 to 12 and will be by timed ticket only. For more information, visit cosi.org or call 614-228-COSI.
