Large-Format Film
Complementing the exhibit is Thrill Ride: The Science of Fun, a white-knuckle adventure that takes full advantage of the power of IMAX films. Explore the science and psychology of fun and people’s need for thrill seeking by tracing the history of thrill rides, beginning with early roller coasters. The film also takes viewers behind the scenes of high-tech motion simulators, showing how technology originally developed by the military and NASA as a flight training device, evolved into the ride simulators of today.

Projected on a screen six stories tall, Thrill Ride: The Science of Fun puts every member of the audience in the front seat of some of the wildest rides ever created.

Thrill Ride: The Science of Fun in Select Medical IMAX Theater will be featured at Whitaker Center September 30, 2006 through January 28, 2007.

Big Science Theatre
and STARS
Big Science Theatre (BST) presents fun and interactive live science shows frequently throughout the day
check the Info Desk for daily schedule. In connection with K’NEX: Building Thrill Rides, BST presents Equal but Opposite, a lighthearted look at Newton’s Laws of Motion that’s sure to get you moving; and Lever Alone, all about levers, pulleys, ramps and wedges. Other popular BST shows continue, including BodyWorks, It’s Shocking, Super Cold Science, and StuffeeTM .

STARS, Whitaker Center youth volunteers, will illustrate the science of amusement parks with live demonstrations. Discover the tasty science of making cotton candy and how roller coasters increase thrills by reducing friction. Isaac Newton, cotton candy and roller coasters—what could be better?
STARS presentations are offered Thursday–Sunday in Harsco Science Center.


Included with regular science center admission.