Fleet Science Center

The Fleet Science Center connects people of all ages to the possibilities and power of science to create a better future.      

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Did you know that #pandas survive almost entirely on #bamboo? They can eat up to 50 pounds per day! Learn more about these adorable creatures in the #IMAX original film, Pandas. Opening in the Heikoiff Giant Dome Theater on April 6! (at Fleet Science Center)

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Yes, that’s really a plane in our galleries! MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition opens at the Fleet Saturday, February 24! #MythBustSD (at Fleet Science Center)

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Exploring #animation with science! Sand “dances” across a surface and creates patterns based on #soundwaves! (at Fleet Science Center)

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Having fun walking on #oobleck! Make sure to stop by and enjoy the #ImpossibleScience Festival with @jason_latimer! (at Fleet Science Center)

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Saturday mornings are for #TinkerersClub! Join us tomorrow from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30pm to create your own string art masterpiece. Plus, you'll learn about the #math behind this wonderful project! (at Fleet Science Center)

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It's #VideoGameDay! What better way to celebrate than to bring the entire family to enjoy #GameMasters at the Fleet! (at Fleet Science Center)

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Did you know that there are over 60 types of lemurs in #Madagascar? Learn more about these amazing and playful creatures in #IslandofLemurs: Madagascar. Now playing at the Fleet! #FleetScience #DomeTheater #Lemurs #IMAX #ScienceForEveryone (at Fleet Science Center)

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Only two weeks left! Challenge your powers of observation and deductive reasoning as you work to solve a baffling mystery in Sherlock Holmes and the Clocktower Mystery.

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Dream Big: Engineering Our World

 Now playing!

Narrated by Academy Award® winner Jeff Bridges, Dream Big: Engineering Our World will transform how you think about engineering. From the Great Wall of China and the world’s tallest buildings to underwater robots and solar cars, Dream Big celebrates the human ingenuity behind engineering marvels big and small, and shows how engineers push the limits of innovation in unexpected and amazing ways. With its inspiring stories of human grit and aspiration and extraordinary visuals for the world’s largest screens, Dream Big reveals the compassion and creativity that drive engineers to create better lives for people and a more sustainable future for us all.

Travel from Nepal to Dubai and Australia to Haiti, then to Seattle, San Francisco and Phoenix, Arizona, in this new giant-screen film.

Find out the secret that has kept the Great Wall of China standing for centuries.

Learn how engineers help keep buildings safe during earthquakes.

See an underdog robotics team try to beat the odds in a NASA-sponsored competition.

Director and two-time Academy Award nominee Greg MacGillivray says that Dream Big is "an entertaining, visually spectacular film full of stirring human stories that reveal the impact engineers have on our society. We hope it energizes kids of all ages, especially girls, to think about engineering as a meaningful way to help others and leave a positive mark on the world."

Dream Big is locally presented by The Shiley Foundation. Dream Big is a MacGillivray Freeman film produced in partnership with American Society of Civil Engineers and presented by Bechtel Corporation.

Rave Reviews

"... it’s the sort of majestic educational film that every adult will want their child to see—and, in all likelihood, will want to see themselves." —Variety

"Along with the fascinating factoids it assembles, Dream Big poses many questions—all of them grist for the problem-solving mill. ... Its what-if mix of physics, imagination and goodwill is an exhilarating conversation starter." —The Hollywood Reporter

"[Dream Big] explores human ingenuity through 'wow' moments … while hooking viewers with personal stories of inspiring characters." —Sandra Barrera, Los Angeles Daily News

"We had no idea how creative and fun being an engineer can be!  An entertaining, inspiring, informative and fun film."  5 Stars —KidzWorld

"Majestic shots … Hopefully many future engineers will be sitting in the front row, inspired by the 50-foot-tall engineers on the screen in front of them." —Matt Blitz, Popular Mechanics

"... Dream Big packs quite a punch and, particularly for girls, is an inspiring example of why we need to invest in STEM education." —Common Sense Media

For Educators

Bring your class to see Dream Big! Watch this educators' trailer to find out how this film can help you inspire your students. Dream Big explores how we use science and technology to build, invent and shape our world. Curriculum addressed in the film include: Engineering, Science and Technology, Mathematics, Social Studies and Geography. You can find the educator guide, lesson plans and activities here. To book a field trip to see this film at the Fleet Science Center, email [email protected] or call [phone] x 806.

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Sherlock Holmes and the Clocktower Mystery

A terrible crime! A clever mystery! The game is afoot!

A horrible crime has been committed. Victorian London's most celebrated detective needs your help to find out "whodunit!" Sherlock Holmes and the Clocktower Mystery is a clever, interactive exhibition at the Fleet Science Center that will challenge your powers of observation and deductive reasoning as you work to solve a baffling mystery.

Grab a Detective Guide and enter the exhibition. You'll find yourself transported back in time, experiencing the sights, sounds—and even the smells!—of Victorian London. First, you'll visit the clocktower, where a murder has taken place. Then you'll walk through seven other locations, including a carnival sideshow, a séance room and a caretaker's room. In each, search for clues ... but beware of red herrings that might lead you off track!

When you think you know the name of the murderer, enter the study. There, you'll be questioned about your conclusions, and the mystery will be solved in a dramatic finale!

Sherlock Holmes and the Clocktower Mystery is open February 11 through June 4, 2017, at the Fleet Science Center. Admission includes all of the Fleet's interactive exhibits and one IMAX® film.

It'd be a CRIME to miss this!

Rave Reviews

“… destined to be a popular and educational exhibit …” —10 Best

“… detailed walkthrough sets, high-quality audio … ” —Aisle Pass

“… an intriguing investigation into a fictional murder most foul.” —The Chronicle Herald

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So aMAZE-ing! Having fun using our math and engineering skills at the Tinkering Studio. 📦✂️📐 #FleetScience #STEAMlearning #Maze #Puzzle #TinkerSD #ScienceforEveryone (at Fleet Science Center)

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So Moved: The Art and Science of Motion

What are motion and movement? How can they be represented in a work of art?

So Moved: The Art and Science of Motion explores motion and movement through interactive science exhibits and through works of art presented by contemporary San Diego artists. Multiple types of motion are presented, including rotational and circular motion, back-and-forth motion, wave motion, random motion and the illusion of motion (optical motion).

In the exhibition, you can experience these hands-on science exhibits: Gravity Well, Stop Action, Waves in Motion, Chaotic Pendulum, Molecules in Motion, Phenakistoscope, Anti-gravity Mirror and Oscylinderscope.

Plus, you can enjoy fifteen contemporary works by ten San Diego artists—three of which were commissioned for this exhibition, and six of which are interactive:

·         Adam Belt: Wish You Were Here.

·         Dave Ghilarducci: Infinite Yet Bounded; Follow You, Follow Me; Delayed Gratification.

·         Matthew Hebert: Heliotopic Benches; Filings.

·         Soso limited (Justin Manor): Ascenders & Descenders.

·         Max Nanis: Premonish (Untitled).

·         Margaret Noble: Wheel Chime, All Eyes on You.

·         Arthur Olson: Autonomous Self-Assembly.

·         Ingram Ober: The Blue Century.

·         Marisol Rendon: Dance With Me, Dancing With the Stars.

·         Chris Warren: Slow Mirror.

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Impossible Science is airing now on Comic-Con HQ!

The Fleet's own Curator of Impossible Science, Jason Latimer, is breaking new ground with the Impossible Science original series on Comic-Con HQ.  

The 10-episode show debuted on September 8 and explores how breakthrough innovations in technology and science all came from ideas once thought only possible as science fiction and fantasy. On Impossible Science, Jason first brings concepts like invisibility, levitation, and telepathy to life through mind-bending illusions performed with everyday people right here in Balboa Park. He then meets with experts at companies like Argonne National Laboratory, Google Brain, NASA Space Works, Hyperloop and others to learn about the applied sciences that make extraordinary feats of fantasy possible in real life. Impossible Science dares to explore the possibilities when the most curious minds seek to answer the biggest questions. Watch the first episode on YouTube.  The complete series is available on Comic-Con HQ.

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Rare picture of #FleetShark stepping on a giant #LEGO! (at Fleet Science Center)

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#MakerFaireSanDiego returns to Balboa Park Oct. 1-2 & we're part of it!

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The Fleet Is at Comic-Con!

If you're going to be at Comi-Con, you should know ... we are too! We're presenting two panels, and we're also holding a Comic-Con themed Fleet Night of Science party (no badge required for the party!) Read on for more information.

Comic-Con Panels

Fleet & IDW panel, July 21, noon to 1 p.m., room 9

IDW & The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Present Crossover: Where Comics & Science Meet

Diehard fans know comics aren't just picture books for children and geeky adults. Comics have a long history of addressing complex issues, from science lab accidents to ethics, moral issues and social justice. This panel will look at the art, science and technology featured in some of our favorite comics and answer questions like: How do writers develop the stories? Are they communicating realistic scientific concepts? Could comic writers be predicting in the future of science and technology? Join a distinguished panel of scientists, entrepreneurs and artists and writers from IDW Publishing to discuss the true science behind comics and science fiction.

Panelists:

Dean Kamen – Entrepreneur and Engineer

Matt Grob – Executive Vice President, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc and Chief Technology Officer: @GrobMatt

Dr. Ronald Coleman – Researcher at The Scripps Research Institute: @DrRonnieC

Chris Ryall – Editor-In-Chief at IDW. Writer of ROM comic books. Twitter: @chris_ryall

Chris Mowry – Senior Graphic Artist at IDW. Writer of Godzilla comic books. Twitter: @MowryChris

Sarah Gaydos – Group Editor at IDW. Oversees Star Trek and Transformers comic books. Twitter: @sarahgaydos

Dr. Steven Snyder – CEO, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, will moderate the panel

Fleet Panel, July 21, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., room 8

Fiction vs. Reality: An Investigation of Science in Movies

We love superhero and science-fiction movies for their quick pace, fantastic ideas and spectacular action sequences. Cars flip into the air, trains derail and flatten everything in their paths, characters have extraordinary tools and abilities and storylines travel throughout time and space. But could any of the imaginative scenarios we witness in action blockbusters actually happen? How often do movies reflect accurate science or realistic depictions of future technology and discoveries? How important is it for the science in fictional movies to align with reality? Join Hollywood science advisors, screenwriters and San Diego scientists as they discuss the fine balance between storytelling, imagination and realistic science.

Panelists:

Dr. Brian Keating – Astrophysics Professor Brian Keating, UC San Diego @DrBrianKeating

Adam Weiner – Physics Teacher, The Bishop’s School @moviephysics

Fred Bronson – Journalist, author and writer (Star Trek: The Next Generation) @FredBronson

3 more panelists will be added over the next week

Dr. Steven Snyder – CEO, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, will moderate the panel

Fleet Night of Science

Fleet Night of Science is a quarterly after-hours event at the Fleet for chic geeks 21+. You get the science center all to yourself (no kids allowed!) to explore exhibits, sip cocktails, enjoy edibles, listen to music and get your geek on with science experiments, clever chats and delightfully nerdy experiences. Food and adult beverages are available for purchase, and proceeds support the Fleet's nonprofit mission of inspiring science learning.

On Thursday, July 21, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., we'll celebrate the pop culture, science fiction and fantasy event of the year: San Diego Comic-Con. No badge required!

Guests will get to explore themed science fun, including the Fleet’s latest exhibition, Science Fiction, Science Future, and enjoy beer samples from Wavelength Brewing Co. Additionally, enjoy a pop culture trivia game and get exclusive, limited Comic-Con releases from IDW Publishing. Discuss the reality of shows like Bones and CSI with real-life forensic anthropologists. Meet Chris Mowry, the writer of the Godzilla comics, and Fred Bronson, writer for Star Trek: The Next Generation. And more! Get your tickets today. Learn more. This event is sponsored by ViaSat.

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One thing leads to another ... Especially when building a #RubeGolberg contraption at the #TinkeringStudio! #FleetScience #Physics #TinkerSD #learninMadeFun #ScienceForEveryone (at Reuben H. Fleet Science Center)