Latest news with #TheFranklinInstitute
Thrill Geek
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Thrill Geek
Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition to Make World Premiere at The Franklin Institute in 2026
A blockbuster museum experience is heading to Philadelphia. The Franklin Institute and Comcast NBCUniversal have announced Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition , a first-of-its-kind immersive showcase opening February 14, 2026. This massive 18,000-square-foot exhibit will debut in the heart of Philly and promises a behind-the-scenes look into the thrills, technology, and imagination that power Universal Destinations & Experiences. Spanning eight themed galleries and featuring over 100 original artifacts from fan-favorite attractions like Jurassic World , How to Train Your Dragon , and Universal Monsters , the exhibit is set to highlight the creative minds and innovations behind Universal's world-renowned parks. Guests will discover the science and artistry behind ride design, special effects, robotics, and costuming—getting an insider's look at what makes these parks so unforgettable. Interactive experiences are a major focus of the exhibition. Visitors can: Step into immersive themed environments Program animatronics and design coasters Try on virtual monster masks Pose with costumes from characters like Toothless and Po View props and ride vehicles from across Universal's iconic attractions The exhibit also dives into Universal's legendary Studio Tour in Hollywood and celebrates the future of themed entertainment with a spotlight on Epic Universe , opening soon at Universal Orlando Resort. The premiere will be housed in The Franklin Institute's Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pavilion and the Mandell Center, running through September 7, 2026. It's presented in collaboration with creative firm MDSX, with Comcast NBCUniversal serving as the presenting sponsor and PECO as associate sponsor. 'This is a must-see for theme park fans, tech lovers, and families,' said Larry Dubinski, President and CEO of The Franklin Institute. 'Debuting this exhibition during the city's 2026 semi-quincentennial celebration is truly special.' Universal's Gerald Raines added, 'This exhibit pulls back the curtain on how our attractions are made—and celebrates the extraordinary teams who bring dreams to life.' Advance ticket access and updates are now available at Janine is a theme park and pop culture nerd from an early age. Since 1994, she's been traversing the theme park world and has enjoyed all things from Halloween events to new ride releases and beyond. When she's not at a theme park, she's probably at a concert or doing something fun with her kiddo.
Technical.ly
22-04-2025
- Business
- Technical.ly
Don't miss 1Philadelphia's events during Philly Tech Week 2025 presented by Comcast
It's almost time for Philly Tech Week 2025 presented by Comcast, and 1Philadelphia is not only hosting the week — the org is also holding three events of its own that you won't want to miss. 1Philadelphia is a coalition of stakeholders working to build a tech community where everyone can thrive, and these events are a manifestation of that mission. Everyone is welcome, and there will be opportunities to meet new friends, reconnect with peers, learn about the latest developments in the Philly tech scene and discuss the future of the city and the region. Check out the info below and register for the events, and we'll see you in May! PTW25 Kickoff Party When: Monday, May 5, 2025 — 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Where: The Franklin Institute What: 'Join us for an unforgettable evening of connection and collaboration in the iconic Franklin Institute rotunda. This free happy hour is the perfect opportunity to meet local innovators, exchange ideas, and build meaningful professional relationships. Whether you're a startup founder, tech enthusiast, or industry veteran, you'll find this vibrant gathering to be an inspiring start to an incredible week. Don't miss out on the chance to engage with Philadelphia's dynamic tech ecosystem in one of the city's most stunning venues! DJ Diamond Kuts will be back to help us bring the energy to this year's Kickoff Party.' 1PHL Spring 2025 Exchange When: Monday, May 5, 2025 — 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM Where: The Franklin Institute What: 'The Spring 2025 Exchange is a gathering of leaders focused on shaping the future of digital access, education and entrepreneurship in Philadelphia. Hosted at the historic Franklin Institute, this event will showcase current research, highlight impactful policies, and explore the latest developments in Philly's innovation ecosystem. The day will culminate in a vibrant reception to officially kick off Philly Tech Week, providing an ideal space to connect, celebrate, and envision what's next for Philadelphia's tech community.' Speakers and sessions include: Welcome from Danae Mobley, Executive Director, 1Philadelphia Opening remarks from Bret Perkins, Senior Vice President of External and Government Affairs, Comcast Corporation Opportunity Begins with (Digital) Access Mobility Beyond the 2026 Moment Innovative Investment Fueling Tech Ecosystems Register for the 1PHL Spring 2025 Exchange Future Forward: Startups When: Tuesday, May 6, 2025 — 1:30 PM – 7:30 PM Where: Billy Penn Studios What: 'Future Forward: Startups is a dynamic half-day event dedicated to celebrating innovation and empowering startups in Philadelphia's thriving tech ecosystem. This summit brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to explore the latest trends, share insights, and foster collaboration. Attendees will enjoy engaging panel discussions, inspiring talks, and ample networking opportunities designed to connect innovators and catalyze new ventures.' Speakers and sessions include: From Pilot to Partnership: Scaling Innovation Together Growth Strategy and Successful Exits for Tech Founders Smart Moves: Leveraging AI for Strategic Growth Innovation for a Safer World Pulse Check: Health Tech Trends Shaping the Next Decade 1Philadelphia isn't alone in working to make this a Philly Tech Week to remember — dozens of orgs are hosting and participating in this annual celebration of tech and innovation. Take a look at the full PTW25 event calendar here to find what interests you most, then make your plan, get your tickets and prepare for an amazing week!
Technical.ly
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Technical.ly
Philly Tech Week 2025 Tech Walk
Event Description We're back for round two! Let's kick off the first day of Philly Tech Week with our second annual happy hour walk. Take a step away from your computer and connect with other members of the Philly Tech community for a Center City / Art Museum walk. This is a chance to network, share ideas, and build relationships in a healthy and refreshing alternative to the average happy hour. 4:30PM - Meet at the Love Park statue - Arch street between 15th & 16th 4:45PM - Walk Ben Franklin Parkway to the Philadelphia Art Museum, returning to Love Park at 5:45/6. PTW's Kickoff Party starts at 6pm at The Franklin Institute, directly on our walking route and just ten minutes from our ending point!
USA Today
01-03-2025
- Science
- USA Today
Best Planetarium (2025) - USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Photo courtesy of College of Southern Idaho No. 10: Faulkner Planetarium at Herrett Center for Arts & Science - Twin Falls, Idaho Part of the College of Southern Idaho's Herrett Center for Arts & Science, this planetarium has been providing educational and entertaining shows about the universe since 1995. Featuring a 50-foot dome and Dolby 5.1 surround sound, the Faulkner Planetarium is the perfect way to start or end a visit to this free museum, where you can also enjoy various exhibits about fossils, Native American culture, and art. Photo courtesy of Rawpixel / iStock Via Getty Images Plus No. 9: Clark Planetarium - Salt Lake City, Utah Salt Lake City's Clark Planetarium is more than your average place to learn about the stars. This phenomenal facility features three floors of interactive exhibits covering everything from meteors to the moon, as well as space and laser light shows in the Hansen Dome Theatre and nature films in the Northrop Grumman IMAX Theatre. Photo courtesy of RMSC (Rochester Museum and Science Center) No. 8: Strasenburgh Planetarium at Rochester Museum & Science Center - Rochester, New York Since 1968, the Strasenburgh Planetarium has been captivating audiences with stellar shows and films in its 65-foot full-dome Star Theater. Check out the "Planet Spectacular" show for an overview of our solar system, or dive deep into a program about gravity, space, and time in "Black Holes Revealed." Be sure to check the planetarium's other exhibits too. Photo courtesy of Adler Planetarium No. 7: Adler Planetarium - Chicago, Illinois Located right on Lake Michigan, Adler Planetarium is Chicago's go-to place for all things outer space. From exhibits highlighting moon missions and the Chicago night sky, to multiple daily planetarium shows geared towards amateur astronomers of all ages, the Adler is worth the hype and then some. This planetarium also offers access to the Doane Observatory, which houses the largest telescope in the Chicago area. Photo courtesy of The Franklin Institute No. 6: Fels Planetarium at The Franklin Institute - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Fels Planetarium is so impressive, people book the location for their weddings. It's definitely more than just a unique event space — locals and tourists alike love the giant dome's galactic projections, as well as the daily shows included in admission to The Franklin Institute. Photo courtesy of Morehead Planetarium and Science Center No. 5: Morehead Planetarium and Science Center at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill, North Carolina Morehead Planetarium, which is part of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, offers a large variety of shows in the GSK Fulldome Theater. A few riveting options include films about the Carolina skies or Galileo, child-friendly missions with the Magic Treehouse kids, and explorations of dark matter. Photo courtesy of Nick Letson No. 4: Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium at University of Arizona - Tucson, Arizona A visit to Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium is sure to impress, thanks to its numerous exhibits focusing on everything from bugs and sharks to the solar system, as well as the state-of-the-art EOS Foundation Planetarium Theatre. With 146 seats and a SCISS Colorspace projection system with 4K resolution, this planetarium is the cherry on top of any visit to Tucson, Arizona. Photo courtesy of Anna Trankina No. 3: COSI Planetarium - Columbus, Ohio The Center of Science and Industry (COSI) is the home of this top-of-the-line planetarium featuring a Digistar 7 projection system and a 60-foot dome. Planetarium shows are free with museum admission, so you can explore all the COSI exhibits in between immersive planetarium demonstrations that take you back in time to the age of the dinosaurs, then whisk you to outer space to experience eclipses and more. Photo courtesy of U.S. Space & Rocket Center No. 2: INTUITIVE Planetarium at U.S. Space & Rocket Center - Huntsville, Alabama The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, is home to one of the top planetariums in the country. Indeed, the INTUITIVE Planetarium, which features an 8K dome and 248 seats, hosts multiple shows each day, including state-of-the-art films about asteroids and the James Webb Telescope. Visitors can also attend Cocktails and Cosmos events, in which stellar shows are accompanied by "cosmically created" cocktails.
USA Today
23-02-2025
- Science
- USA Today
Best Science Museum (2025) - USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Photo courtesy of Tellus Science Museum No. 10: Tellus Science Museum - Cartersville, Georgia This 120,000-square-foot museum in Georgia is comprised of four main galleries dedicated to minerals, fossils, science in motion, and backyard science. Visitors to Tellus Science Museum can also explore space in the 120-seat digital planetarium, or gaze at the stars through a 20-inch telescope in the observatory. Other highlights include an 80-foot brontosaurus and a replica Apollo I capsule. Photo courtesy of Perot Museum of Nature and Science No. 9: Perot Museum of Nature and Science - Dallas, Texas Designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate Thom Mayne, this stunning 180,000-square-foot science museum on the outer edge of the Dallas Arts District boasts five floors of interactive exhibits focusing on everything from Earth and space to geology, paleontology, and engineering. Highlights include a children's museum with a dinosaur dig, an earthquake simulator, and a gallery of gems and minerals including the largest cut imperial topaz in the world. Photo courtesy of Great Lakes Science Center No. 8: Great Lakes Science Center - Cleveland, Ohio The Great Lakes Science Center offers a community where real scientific challenges provide a learning culture to encourage curiosity, creativity, and innovation. Visitors can explore plenty of hands-on exhibits, as well as the NASA Glenn Visitor Center. Photo courtesy of The Franklin Institute No. 7: The Franklin Institute - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The Franklin Institute is a hands-on science museum that seeks to create a passion for science and tech in everyone. It holds the distinction of being Pennsylvania's most visited museum and features many interactive exhibits that explore science — from sports to space — plus top-notch experiences and special exhibitions. Photo courtesy of Discovery World Milwaukee No. 6: Discovery World - Milwaukee, Wisconsin Discovery World is a science and technology center that the whole family will enjoy. The 120,000-square-foot space houses the Reiman Aquarium, as well as several hands-on exhibits that focus on two main areas: technology and aquatic biology. Photo courtesy of Saint Louis Science Center No. 5: Saint Louis Science Center - St. Louis, Missouri At Saint Louis Science Center, visitors can examine full-scale replicas of a Mars rover, observe sea creatures in the Pacific Coral Reef Aquarium, and watch live STEM demonstrations. Between 10 galleries featuring hundreds of interactive experiences, movies about aquatic animals, dinosaurs, and more in the OMNIMAX theater, and an impressive planetarium, there's always something more to discover at this museum. Photo courtesy of The Wild Center No. 4: The Wild Center - Tupper Lake, New York The Wild Center is situated on a beautiful 115-acre campus in the Adirondacks that's home to hundreds of animals. A 54,000-square-foot building houses the center's main exhibits, while trails, a private pond, and river frontage form the outdoor experience. From naturalist-led walks to animal encounters, there's always a special event happening here. Photo courtesy of Michigan Science Center No. 3: Michigan Science Center - Detroit, Michigan The Michigan Science Center promotes creative and dynamic STEM learning through a series of interactive exhibits. This institution in Detroit's Cultural Center Historic District features live shows, an IMAX Dome, 4D theater, planetarium, and exhibit space with more than 220 hands-on activities and exhibits. Photo courtesy of Exploratorium No. 2: Exploratorium - San Francisco, California San Francisco's Exploratorium is a public learning lab that invites visitors of all ages to experience over 700 interactive exhibits spread throughout several indoor and outdoor galleries. Visitors can listen to a 27-foot-tall wind-powered harp, take a selfie in a water droplet, and examine what looks like a giant painting but is actually a living terrarium brimming with colorful bacteria.
