THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 24, 1996 TAG: 9601250073
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROY A. BAHLS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
TAKE COMMAND of the starship Enterprise and dodge through a deadly asteroid field. Program a voice-activated computer. Beam down to an alien planet.
These and other experiences await when the national traveling exhibit ``Star Trek: Federation Science'' touches down Saturday at the Virginia Air and Space Museum in Hampton.
Visitors will explore more than 40 modular displays revealing scientific principles crucial to living and working in space.
Trekkies will recognize the Bridge, Engineering, the Sick Bay and the Transporter Room, which resemble different starship stations from the ``Star Trek'' and ``Star Trek: The Next Generation'' television series as well as the ``Star Trek'' motion pictures. And here's your chance for a close-up look at original ``Star Trek'' props, including communicators, phasers, tricorders and costumes.
George Takei, ``Sulu'' from the original TV series and movies, will host the exhibit's opening day.
Takei will be moving at warp speed, sharing his adventures as the veteran helmsman of the Enterprise, judging a ``Star Trek'' look-alike contest and signing copies of his book, ``To the Stars: The Autobiography of George Takei.''
The 6,000-square-foot exhibit originated at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland in January 1992. Since September of that year, it has been materializing at science museums across the country. It was created in cooperation with Paramount Pictures and with the blessings of ``Star Trek'' creator Gene Roddenberry.
``It combines the science fiction aspect of `Star Trek' with science fact,'' said exhibit project manager Divonna Ogier. ``As much as possible, it tries to remain true to the ambience of the series while presenting real science in an inter-active way.
``This really hits all of the age groups. There is some pretty high-level science in the exhibit, but we've tried to present it in a way that's easy to understand for all age groups.''
The principles behind propulsion systems, medical science and life support are studied, along with basic research areas such as the structure of the galaxy, orbits, relativity and planetology.
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry has more than 20 traveling exhibits making their way around the country, but none has been as popular as this one.
No wonder. A recent National Research Group Inc. poll showed that 53 percent of the American public claim to be ``Star Trek'' fans, and name recognition is an astounding 99 percent among all demographic groups.
``It draws out all the `Star Trek' fans everywhere it goes,'' Ogier said. ``It's just been a very, very popular exhibit. Our biggest and best so far.''
What else? There'll be video and still photographs and life-size alien models of a Ferengi, a Klingon and an Antedian Dignitary. Original costumes, including those worn by Patrick Stewart (Capt. Picard), William Shatner (Capt. Kirk) and Leonard Nimoy (Mr. Spock). An action/reaction chair will demonstrate Newton's Third Law of Motion by propelling visitors backward in a low-friction vehicle as they toss bean bags toward a target. A Planet Walker allows visitors to feel gravitational forces equal to those on the Moon. You can merge your features with those of a Klingon to see what you would like as an alien.
And don't forget to visit the Starfleet Store featuring almost every imaginable ``Star Trek'' item. You'll find phasers, communicator pins, pens, models, books, jewelry, bumper stickers, mugs and tribbles. You remember tribbles, those cute swiftly-breeding animals that created such havoc aboard the Enterprise.. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
Virginia Air & Space Center
The ``Action/Reaction Chair''
Newton's third law, ``for every action, there is a reaction,'' is
demonstrated here. Visitors propel themselves backward by tossing
bean bags toward a target.
The Bridge
Visitors can examine asteroid belts, orbital maneuvers and
planetology on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise.
Meet George Takei (Sulu) on Saturday the the Virginia Air & Space
Center. For information, call 727-0900.
by CNB