Any family with a budding scientist or with relatives curious about real-world science may want to consider a day at Seattle’s Pacific Science Center.
The annual Science Extravaganza, which runs Thursday through Jan. 1, features special laser dome shows in addition to the center’s usual offerings of stage science demonstrations, planetarium sights and IMAX films. The Extravaganza activities are included with the price of admission.
“Science Extravaganza is a seven-day event that celebrates the top-notch science programs and activities that Pacific Science Center has to offer,” said special events manager Alaina Schulner. “Visitors can expect Discovery Cart activities, make-it-and-take-it crafts, free Family Science workshops, stage demonstrations and planetarium shows galore.”
The laser dome shows, which will start at 1:30 p.m. and run past 3:30 p.m. daily through Dec. 30, include “Colors of the World,” “Laser Beatles” and “Laser Juke Box.” Dec. 31 shows will run past 10:30 p.m. and feature additional musicians like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and U2.
“The technology of lasers and beams is very scientific,” science center spokeswoman Wendy Malloy said. “‘Colors of the World’ takes laser audiences on a musical journey around the planet. This program, with a focus on the authentic instruments and sounds that make different countries’ music unique and appealing, explores different music and cultures from around the globe.”
And as viewers get their fill of those sights and sounds, the activities will continue in the main area of the center.
Malloy said Stage Science offers 15- to 30-minute demonstrations on a variety of subjects. “Our goal is to teach science in a dynamic and fun way,” she said. “We use live experiments and animals to convey science concepts, adding a theatrical twist.”
The planetarium, Malloy said, aims to inspire a lifelong interest in the science and culture of astronomy and the experience of the night sky.
One cautionary note for Planetarium visitors is that per science center policy, those under age 4 are only allowed to attend the 11 a.m. and noon all-ages programs.
In addition to the hands-on and laser fun, a variety of IMAX screenings also will take place. One, “I Am Legend,” is the science fiction movie starring Will Smith as Robert Neville, a scientist who could not contain an incurable, manmade virus. Another, called “Sea Monsters 3D,” offers computer-generated images of creatures from the past like flippered crocodiles, sharks and giant turtles. Finally, visitors can see “Mummies — The Secrets of Pharaohs,” which follows researchers and explorers as they piece together the archaeological and genetic clues of Egyptian mummies. In addition to teaching audiences about the culture, religion, medicine and daily life thousands of years ago, this film shows scientists reconstructing mummy DNA and deciphering ancient texts to gain insight into modern human genetics and advance medical treatments.
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