HOLLYWOOD-THEMED EXHIBIT
- The new POPnology® exhibit reveals how pop culture impacts modern technological breakthroughs with fun, interactive and educational activities designed to engage children and families
- POPnology is made possible by the sponsorship of Signal Restoration Services
- Appearing for a limited time this summer from May 19 – Aug. 11
- Ideal for families seeking an indoor experience in a cool and controlled atmosphere
Detroit, Mich., May 11, 2022 – Replicas and interactive animatronics of R2-D2, E.T., Hal 9000, H.R. Giger’s Alien and the DeLorean will make an appearance at the Michigan Science Center (MiSci) this month for a limited time only as part of an interactive exhibit called “POPnology” that blends Hollywood, pop culture and science. The program is made possible by Signal Restoration Services.
This educational traveling exhibit is a dynamic, colorful experience offering rare and unique pop culture artifacts as well as 30 interactive activities that celebrate and explore the greatest works of innovation and imagination in pop culture history. The 8000-square foot exhibit will run from May 19 – Aug. 11 in MiSci’s special exhibition space on its fourth floor.
Anyone who loves movies will fall in love with POPnology,” said Dr. Christian Greer, President and CEO of MiSci. “So many of us at MiSci are movie and science-fiction geeks, so when we heard this coveted exhibit was available this summer, we jumped on it! It’s a fantastic way to delight kids while keeping them engaged in STEM in the cool, controlled environment of MiSci.”
“Signal Restoration Services is thrilled to support MiSci with this incredibly exciting exhibit that is sure to captivate visitors all summer long,” said Chad Howard, President and COO of Signal Restoration Services. “Science, learning and growing is at the heart of what we do here at Signal. We believe in giving back to our community and helping children and families grow from fun and engaging learning experiences such as POPnology. Signal served as a critical partner to MiSci last summer and helped restore their facility after two sewer wastewater backup incidents that forced MiSci to temporarily suspend its operations. It was a tremendous effort, and it’s such a rewarding and fulfilling moment for us to come full circle to sponsor POPnology.”
Over the course of two months, Signal mitigated the damages that had impacted several of the theaters at MiSci including the IMAX Dome Theater, Toyota FordD Engineering Theater, Science Stage, DTE Energy Sparks Theater, as well as the Space Capsule Exhibit.
MiSci will host Member Preview Days for POPnology from May 19-21 and will open to the General Public on Sunday, May 22. A special Ribbon Cutting and Press Conference will take place at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 25. POPnology® was created by Stage Nine Design and is distributed by Exhibits Development Group.
Which science fiction today will become reality tomorrow?
POPnology takes us from fantasy to the reality of driverless cars, robots, drones, 3D printers – and into the future. This interactive, engaging exhibit shows how technology has been influenced by movies, books, television, art and futurists. POPnology chronicles our progression from science fiction to science fact and illuminates emerging technologies that are just now showing up on our cultural radar.
Guests of all ages will find themselves at the center of science as they interact with robots, explore Mars, play games and create their own music while seeing beloved sci-fi characters up close.
Photo Ops
- Full-Sized DeLorean Time Machine Replica – Examine the creation and development of one of the movie’s most iconic cars of the future.
- T. Photo Op – E.T. is here and ready for photos. Try your hand at speaking to extraterrestrials in this engaging activity.
- R. Giger’s Alien Statue Photo Op – An artistic rendition of H.R. Giger’s creation, the Alien, is on display in a tribute to one of the greatest minds in science fiction.
- 3D Printed Car – A real 3D printed car is displayed by our friends at Local Motors.
- R2-D2 & R5-D4 Astromech Droids – Watch as an iconic droid roams around the exhibit space and interacts with guests.
- Social Media Photo Booth – Take your photo and email it to your friends and family.
Games
- Oculus Quest™ VR Station – Test out virtual reality in this immersive experience by Oculus Rift.
- Augmented Reality Projector – Kids can stomp, kick and slide across this floor projection game.
- Tablet Band – Create your own rock band on a tablet and play all day.
- Mission: Mars – Experience what it is like to fight gravity on the surface of Mars.
- Mars Lander – Pilot a Mars Lander to gather supplies and refuel missions.
- Rocket Builder Simulation – Build your own rocket and break free from Earth’s gravity.
- Mars Rover Simulator – Can you complete a Mars Rover mission?
Robots
- 3 Finger Robot Telepresence Challenge – Can you transfer dinosaur eggs from one nest to another using telepresence?
- The “Robox” – The past, present and future of science fiction and real-life robots.
- Rail Robot – Take control of a rail robot and use it to complete objectives.
- Robot Dexterity Challenge – Control a robot and use it to stack blocks and other objects.
Other Activities
- HAL 9000 Photo Op – The A.I. from 2001: A Space Odyssey is featured.
- Cell Phones Deconstructed – A unique look into the year 1983 investigating all the items that smart phones have replaced over the years.
- Pixel Pegs – Learn about pixel definition and television graphics in this activity.
- Pentiductor – Create lights and music using only your hands.
- Autopia Car/Self Driving Car – A look into the future of self-driving cars.
- Inventor’s Studio – Look into the mind of an inventor.
- Keva “City Of The Future” – Build your own futuristic city using only wooden KEVA planks.
- 3D Printing – Watch a 3D printer make everyday objects before your eyes.
POPnology is included MiSci’s general admission tickets. Prices are $18 for adults 16-64, $14 for youth 2-5 or seniors over 65 and free for children under 2. Reserve tickets at www.mi-sci.org. MiSci is located at 5020 John R. Street in Midtown, Detroit and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
About Signal Restoration Services
Signal Restoration is a world-class property restoration general contractor, providing relentless customer service throughout North America and the Caribbean. The company services our projects from our regional offices and Rapid Response Locations from coast to coast. Signal specializes in fire, water, storm, mold, hurricane, earthquake, emergency, and reconstruction services as well as full-service roofing and Cap Ex work. Servicing clients in all industries including Healthcare, Education, Government, Hospitality, Multi-Family, Retail, and Industrial. Signal’s mission is to provide Relentless Customer Service to all our clients. We strive to immediately and consistently deliver exceptional results whenever and wherever disaster strikes. Signal is ON THE MOVE! Signal is always ONCALL 24 | 7 | 365. For more information, please call us at 800.533.9898 or visit signalrestoration.com.
About Stage Nine Exhibits
Stage 9 Exhibits is a full-service developer of creative, unusual exhibits for permanent or temporary display. Stage 9 Exhibits owns, operates, and tours ten internationally-acclaimed exhibitions including: The Lost World of Dragons, Expedition: Dinosaur, Expedition Dinosaur: Rise of the Mammals, Hall of Heroes, POPnology, The Animation Academy, Sweet: A Tasty Journey, and Rock U: The Institute of Rock “N” Roll, Toytopia, and the Selfie Experience. For more information about Stage 9 Exhibits, call 916-447-3623 or visit www.stage9exhibits.com
About The Michigan Science Center
The Michigan Science Center (MiSci) is a Smithsonian affiliate that inspires nearly 250,000 curious minds of all ages every year through STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) discovery, innovation and interactive education in Detroit and across Michigan. As a STEM hub, MiSci focuses on developing and introducing expanded education programs, exhibits and initiatives to empower and enrich our children and community. Through our Traveling Science Program and distance learning initiative, ECHO, we are expanding beyond our Detroit-based facility, with a goal of reaching all 83 counties of Michigan. With the Toyota Engineering 4D Theater, live science demonstrations, lab activities and 220+ interactive exhibits, there are dozens of ways to customize your MiSci visit. The Michigan Science Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not receive funding from Detroit or the state of Michigan. For more information, please call 313.577.8400 or visit the website, Mi-Sci.org.