This research and development project would inform and engage audiences (especially middle school age girls) about the fundamental research under investigation at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. A research plan and summative evaluation will fill a gap in what is known about the public's perception and understanding of the LHC/particle physics and include studies on girl's interest and engagement. Deliverables include a 40 minute giant screen film (3D/2D), full dome planetarium film, an interactive theater lobby exhibit, website, mobile app, materials and professional development workshops for educators. The giant screen film will use scientific visualizations and artistic interpretation to reveal compelling scientific stories recreating conditions following the Big Bang and the discovery in 2012 of the Higgs boson. CERN is providing unprecedented access to the collider and particle detectors including filming inside the 17 mile long underground tunnel while it is closed for upgrades in 2013-2014. There are 8 partner science museums (7 with planetariums) that will show the film/exhibit and serve as sites for research, evaluation, and outreach to underserved audiences ( Adventure Science Center, Carnegie Science Center, The Franklin Institute, Liberty Science Center, OMSI, Orlando Science Center, the Smithsonian, and the St. Louis Science Center). Additional distribution/marketing channels include giant screen theaters, planetariums, DVD, and social social media. Launch is targeted for 2016. Learning outcomes will focus on increasing awareness and interest in the LHC and increasing young people's engagement and excitement about the nature of scientific discovery. The research on girl's engagement and interest in physics will fill a gap in field. The project deliverables are projected to reach large audiences through national distribution of the giant screen film, the planetarium show, the exhibit, 3D/2D Blu Ray and DVDs, and access on computers, tablets, and other mobile devices.
This is a comprehensive project about the science behind special effects in the motion pictures. WGBH, in association with eighteen museums in the Museum Film Network, will produce a 35 minute IMAX/OMNIMAX film showing the behind-the-scenes story of a group of filmmakers at Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) as they create a special effects sequence in the IMAX/OMNIMAX format. The film will illustrate how the eye and brain work together to process cinematic illusions. The California Museum of Science and Industry (CMSI) will create a 6,000 sq. ft. traveling exhibit that will focus on the science and technical processes of special effect. The exhibit will travel to fifteen other museums. A smaller scale lobby exhibit also will be developed for display in the cueing areas of IMAX/OMNIMAX theaters that are showing the "Special Effects" film. A collaborative educational outreach program will extend the reach of both the film and exhibit. The project will be managed by the NOVA production unit at WGBH under the direction of Paula Apsell. Ms. Apsell also will serve as Executive Producer for the IMAX/OMNIMAX film. Diane Perlov, Curator of Exhibitions at CMSI, will supervise the exhibit portion of the project. Kenneth Phillips, Curator of Aerospace Science at CMSI, will develop video interactives and oversee scientific content of the exhibit. Carol Valenta, Director of Education for CMSI, and Beth Kirsh, Director of Educational Print and Outreach for WGBH, will be responsible for implementing the outreach plan. Advisors for the project include David H. Hubel, neurobiologist, Harvard Medical School; Vilayanur S. Ramachandran, neurophysiologist, University of California, San Diego; Richard Gregory, perception psychologist, University of Bristol; Sally Duensing, Science and Museum Liaison, Exploratorium; Elizabeth Stage, Co-Director for Science, New Standards Project, National Center on Education and the Economy; and Robert Coutts, high school physics teacher, Los Angeles, CA.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Paula ApsellSusanne SimpsonAnn MuscatCarol ValentaBarbara Flagg