SCI hopes to inspire the next generation of engineers with new film

DES MOINES, IA: Giant screen movie-goers will soar above the world’s tallest bridge and travel at speeds approaching 700 mph when MacGillivray Freeman’s new film for IMAX® theaters, DREAM BIG: Engineering Our World, arrives at the Science Center of Iowa’s Blank IMAX Dome Theater as a kick-off to National Engineers Week.

Narrated by Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges, DREAM BIG celebrates human ingenuity and innovation while offering an exciting new perspective on what it means to be an engineer.

From the Great Wall of China and the world’s tallest buildings to underwater robots, solar cars and smart, sustainable cities, DREAM BIG showcases engineering marvels big and small. With its inspiring human stories—including a young woman engineer building bridges in undeveloped countries and a high school robotics team that succeeds against all odds—DREAM BIG reveals the compassion and creativity that drive engineers to create better lives for people and a more sustainable future. 

DREAM BIG is the first giant screen project of its kind to promote the educational STEM movement (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). 

"Parents and teachers are looking for ways to turn kids on to science and engineering," says director Greg MacGillivray. "With DREAM BIG, we wanted to bring something new to that effort with an entertaining, visually spectacular film full of stirring human stories that reveal the impact engineers have on our society. We hope it energizes kids of all ages, especially girls, to think about engineering as a meaningful way to help others and leave a positive mark on the world."

DREAM BIG is family friendly and has a running time of 42 minutes. Film tickets are $9 for adults; $7 for children 2-12 and seniors over 65 and can be purchased online at www.sciowa.org or in person at the SCI Box Office.

The film was produced in partnership with the American Society of Civil Engineers and presented by Bechtel Corporation. Locally, the film is sponsored by Alliant Energy in partnership with the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council.

SCI’s Engineering Week encourages the next generation of engineers with daily building challenges

To support the goals of celebrating how engineers make a difference in our world, increasing public dialogue about the need for engineers and bringing engineering to life for children, educators and parents, SCI will offer themed Engineering Week activities February 21-24.

Visitors will be able to put their engineering skills to the test with daily building challenges:

• Tuesday, February 21 – Cardboard Build Challenge
  City planners and civil engineers work together to guild aesthetically pleasing and purposeful buildings. Visitors will imagine what the future of the skyline of Des Moines could look like!
• Wednesday, February 22 – Dowels and Rubber Bands Challenge
  Designers and engineers continuously improve bridge designs through collaboration and problem solving. Different designs support varying amounts of weight and environmental stresses. Visitors will use the materials provided to develop creative bridge designs.
• Thursday, February 23 – Ramps Challenge
  Rollercoaster engineers combine electrical, structural and mechanical engineering. Visitors will test their physics knowledge to develop their own rollercoaster.
• Friday, February 24 – Imagination Playground Challenge
  Engineers are constantly trying to push the limits of design. Visitors will use Imagination Playground blocks to construct the tallest tower with the smallest footprint.

Local engineering organizations also will host interactive activities at SCI on Friday from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.

SCI’s Engineering Week activities are sponsored by the Iowa State University Institute for Transportation. All activities are included with SCI admission ($12 for adults; $8 for children 2-12 and seniors over 65).

The Science Center of Iowa & Blank IMAX Dome Theater is located at 401 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy in Des Moines. For information on tickets and showtimes, please call 515-274-6868 or visit www.sciowa.org.