Stories of real engineers are presented with the latest, seat shaking audio-visual effects.
The Detroit Science Center opens the Toyota Engineering Theater this weekend with “Engineering Adrenaline,” said to be a fast-paced, heart-pumping action show that will literally take the audience for a ride as they learn about the world of engineering.
The show, or “experience” in current museum marketing jargon, stars three engineers: an Olympic kayaker, who designed and built the world’s largest man-made whitewater rafting park; a NASA Jet Propulsion Lab engineer, who is working on a 6-legged robotic rover for the next moon mission; and a Toyota engineer, who takes the audience off-road and on the race track as she designs an air delivery system for the Tundra full-size pickup truck. There’s also a live presenter, as in a human being breathing and talking from the stage in front of the 43-foot screen.
“It is our vision to become the nation’s premier engineering-focused museum. The centerpiece of this vision is to create a theater experience that will inspire today’s youth to become the engineers of tomorrow,” said Kevin F. Prihod, president & CEO of the Detroit Science Center.
The Toyota Engineering Theater was made possible by a $2 million contribution made by Toyota in 2007. Admission is included in Detroit Science Center museum admission, which starts at $11.95. For show times and additional information, go to www.detroitsciencecenter.org.
“New opportunities in science, engineering and innovation are vitally important in today’s economy,” said Ed Mantey, vice president, engineering design & electronics systems, Toyota Technical Center (TTC).
Toyota TTC, a division of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, was established in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1977. It is Toyota’s largest technical center outside of Japan and employs more than 1,000 people. Its newest facility in York Township, Michigan, began operations in October last year. TTC conducts engineering design, prototype building, vehicle evaluation and advanced technology research for Toyota’s North American built vehicles.