Star Wars : Where Science Meets Imagination

Star Wars Invades Scienceworks

The science and fantasy behind the Star Wars phenomenon will take centre stage in a  new exhibition opening at Scienceworks on 4 June 2009.

Star Wars : Where Science Meets Imagination features more than 80 costumes, interactive exhibits, models and props from all six Star Wars movies.
 
Developed by the Museum of Science in Boston, in collaboration with Lucasfilm Ltd, Star Wars : Where Science Meets Imagination is the first exhibition to showcase costumes and props from the entire Star Wars universe.

It includes the first appearance in Australia of the full-size version of Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder from Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, all the while teaching young and old via exploring the cutting-edge research and modern technologies that could one day make the fantasy world of Star Wars a reality.
 
Star Wars : Where Science Meets Imagination offers an immersive exhibition that gives visitors a "hands on" look at the ways in which the seemingly fantastic ideas seen in the movies have or can become real life technologies. 

The exhibition reveals the important roles that imagination and science play in the creation of increasingly sophisticated machines.

Visitors will be able to investigate concepts like magnetic levitation, artificial intelligence and medical technology, and can try their hands at building and testing their own high-tech creations - all while reliving the magic of the Star Wars Saga.
 

"Our visitors are really going to love this exhibition" said Genevieve Fahey, Manager of Scienceworks in Melbourne.

"Star Wars is a wonderful platform to experience and learn about some of the real technologies that have parallels with the wonderfully imaginative movie series".

The exhibition is organised around two main technology themes, which are fundamental to the Star Wars universe: transportation and robotics.

"Getting Around" explores the field of transportation, from personal transport to starships. There is a special focus on Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder along with several other well known hovering vehicles from Star Wars.

The question we ask is:  What are their real world equivalents and how do vehicles move without touching the ground in the real world?

"Robots and People" examines the ways in which people relate to the droids in Star Wars and explores the creation of real world robots. C-3PO and R2-D2 help visitors understand how droids navigate, sense and understand the world around them, while communicating in increasingly sophisticated ways.

The exhibition explores questions such as:

• How close are we to having technologies like those in the Star Wars universe?

• What part do imagination and creativity play in science and the development of technology?

• How can we assess the impact of technology on society?

It is through the in depth exploration of the Real World Technologies exhibitions (including two multi-station Engineering Design Labs) where visitors can design, build and test their own devices, as well as attend the immersive Robot Theatre.
 
Venue: Scienceworks, 2 Booker Street, Spotswood (Melway 56, B1)
Date:  4 June - 3 November 
Time: Daily 10am – 4:30pm, Thursdays 10am – 9pm 
Price: Adults $18, Concession $8 and Children (3 – 16 years) $6 includes general entry to Scienceworks.