SPEED Exhibit Opens At Pacific Science Center May 31-Sept. 1

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SEATTLE — In a society often obsessed with moving at an ever faster pace, the exhibit SPEED chronicles this cultural and technological fascination with a 6,000 square-foot experience that transports guests into the world of high performance, barrier smashing motion.  SPEED, a national traveling exhibit, opens at Pacific Science Center May 31, 2008 and continues through Sept. 1, 2008.

Racing cars, planes boats and eccentric custom vehicles, are featured in the exhibit which engages guests of all backgrounds and ages. The experiences focus on the science and technology of pushing the envelope to achieve record setting speed while explaining the limits of getting there. Visitors learn the way speed affects objects, for example, the Penny Smasher actually allows guests to see the affect of speed during rapid deceleration (slowing down).

Stories throughout the exhibit highlight people who have tested the limits of speed and the resulting consequences. Air Force Colonel John Paul Stapp has done what no one before him dared to do. He survived a rapid deceleration totaling 45 g’s in a controlled experiment. Stapp went from 632 mph to 0 mph in 1.4 seconds, causing bruises over 90% of his body, including the inside of his eyelids. The exhibit also follows ongoing attempts to break the sound barrier like the story of Cheryl Stearns, the twenty-one-time US women’s skydiving champion, who is preparing to accomplish this unusual feat.

SPEED Exhibit’s Five Sections

The exhibit, created by COSI Columbus with support from the National Science Foundation and the Science Museum Exhibits Collaborative, presents five align=”left”>Note to Editors:

Pacific Science Center is located under the arches near the Space Needle at 200 Second Ave. North, Seattle. Enter visitor parking at Denny Way and Second Ave. North. Pacific Science Center is open daily at 10 a.m. Admission to Pacific Science Center is $11 for adults; $8 for juniors 6 to 12; $6 for kids 3-5 and $9.50 for seniors 65 and over. Children under three receive free admission. Admission includes exhibits and a planetarium show. For more information, please call (206) 443-2001 or go to pacificsciencenter.org. Both the Science Center and the IMAX theaters are wheelchair accessible.

Pacific Science Center inspires a lifelong interest in science, mathematics and technology by engaging diverse communities through interactive and innovative exhibits and programs. Pacific Science Center began as the United States Science Pavilion during the1962 Seattle World’s Fair. Millions came to explore the wonders of science during the World’s Fair and upon the closing ceremonies, the Science Pavilion was given new life as the private, not-for-profit Pacific Science Center, becoming the first U.S. museum founded as a science and technology center. For more information about Pacific Science Center, please call (206) 443- 2001 or visit the web site at www.pacsci.org. Pacific Science Center is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and relies on admissions, memberships, and donations to continue our educational mission, programs, and exhibits.

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Contact:

Wendy Malloy

Pacific Science Center

Seattle, WA 98109

Office: (206)