This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Oct. 28, 2011 - Sit in the captain's chair and explore a new exhibit that is beaming to the St. Louis Science Center this fall. "Star Trek: The Exhibition," opening today, features 45 years of authentic "Star Trek" costumes, props, filming models and life-sized replicas.
Since the airing of the original "Star Trek" in 1966, the franchise has entertained audiences and some believe it has even inspired scientific innovation. In bringing this exhibit, the Science Center plans to focus its programming around the science of science fiction.
"We were able to tie the science of 'Star Trek' to our galleries. Once you go through the exhibition and read a lot of the educational materials, you can see that the science fiction of 'Star Trek' really inspired today's scientists for breakthoughts in technology," said Jackie Mollet, senior director of theater, retail and exhibitions for the Science Center. "This exhibit allows you to see where science fiction has inspired innovative thought."
The exhibit features an array of artifacts as well as a life-size replica of "D-Bridge" on the U.S.S. Enterprise from the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" television series and a life-sized "teleporter" featured in the 2009 "Star Trek" movie. Audience members can also sit in a replica of Capt. James T. Kirk's chair on the "D-Bridge."
Throughout the exhibit, information displays provide a background to science of "Star Trek."
Exhibition Dynamix, the company producing the exhibit, was busy "sound checking" on Thursday in preparation for today's opening. Mark Smith, the company's president, oversaw last-minute installations and tests as the media previewed the exhibit.
"We wanted to make sure that everything is going to show as well as it can for the opening," Smith said.
Smith, a science-fiction buff, believes audiences will be entertained -- as well as educated -- with this exhibit.
"We are trying to make those correlations to real science aspects and we have a duel story line with this exhibition," Smith said.
The Science Center will feature a lecture series as well as eight new activities in each of the galleries to complement the exhibit. The lectures will be on the second Thursday of each month and will feature speakers from Las Cumbres Observatory, Washington University, NASA Ames Research Center and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
"You will see a little bit of 'Star Trek' throughout our galleries," Mollet said. "I think this exhibit and the lecture series will again provide inspiration for innovative thinkers of all ages."
The exhibit will run through May 28, 2012 and audiences are already excited to get into the exhibit.
Science Center visitor John Mezera, a fan of the original series, is excited to see relive his childhood.
"The show made everybody think beyond our world and our existence. It made us think that this world is not the only place to be."
Jonathan Ernst, a student at Saint Louis University, is an intern at the Beacon.