Museum of Science and MathWorks Present Free Film Fridays at Museum's Mugar Omni Theater

Free Films on Fridays, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Natick, Mass. - (14 Feb 2012)

This March, MathWorks and the Museum of Science invite visitors to experience the magic of New England's only IMAX® Dome theater—for free! Free Film Fridays are back, and thanks to MathWorks, museumgoers will enjoy complimentary shows all day March 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this March, the Mugar Omni Theater continues to provide visitors with some of the world's most awe-inspiring experiences via its five-story-high screen and heart-thumping surround sound system. With a shared passion for discovery and learning, the Museum of Science and MathWorks once again welcome the public to enjoy Free Film Fridays.  In the 2012 film series, visitors will be able to:

  • Escape the New England cold while diving into the crystalline waters of the Bahamas and wind-swept seas of Patagonia in Dolphins, where viewers will swim alongside some of these beautiful creatures.
  • Journey with more than 1.5 million animals as they travel over 500 miles across the Serengeti plains in Africa: The Serengeti.
  • Join Storm Chasers star Sean Casey and the researchers of VORTEX 2 as they take you on a heart-pounding science adventure to understand the origins and evolution of tornadoes in Tornado Alley—all from the comfort of the Museum's Mugar Omni Theater.

“As a partner of the Museum for more than two decades, we share a common goal to promote science education beyond just the classroom,” said Kevin Lorenc, corporate communications, MathWorks. “This year’s Free Film Fridays series captures the excitement of scientific and engineering discovery in our world today. And, combined with the unique experience provided by the Museum’s Omni Theater, museum visitors will enjoy an engaging, immersive and fun educational visit.”

"The Museum's Omni presentations transport audiences to some of the world's most wondrous places, while also delivering high-quality science content. Where else can visitors swim with dolphins in Patagonia or experience what it’s like to be inside a tornado’s funnel— all without leaving New England?" said Paul Fontaine, Museum vice president of education. "We're grateful for the support from MathWorks, which enables the Museum to offer these incredible experiences to our visitors free of charge.”

This marks the fifth Free Film Friday series sponsored by MathWorks. A Museum supporter since 1991, MathWorks is a generous supporter of giant-screen films in the Mugar Omni Theater. Through its partnership with the Museum and sponsorship of programs like Free Film Fridays, MathWorks is helping to bring exciting educational experiences to all members of the community.

The Museum will show Africa: The Serengeti, Alaska: Spirit of the Wild, Dolphins, Greece: Secrets of the Past, Tornado Alley, and Yellowstone during Free Film Fridays. Visitors can pick up free tickets at the Museum box office on the day of the show only, first come, first served. Limit two shows per guest. For more information, the public can call 617-723-2500, 617-589-0417 (TTY) or visit the Museum's web site at mos.org.

About MathWorks

MathWorks is the leading developer of mathematical computing software. MATLAB, the language of technical computing, is a programming environment for algorithm development, data analysis, visualization, and numeric computation. Simulink is a graphical environment for simulation and Model-Based Design for multidomain dynamic and embedded systems. Engineers and scientists worldwide rely on these product families to accelerate the pace of discovery, innovation, and development in automotive, aerospace, electronics, financial services, biotech-pharmaceutical, and other industries. MathWorks products are also fundamental teaching and research tools in the world's universities and learning institutions. Founded in 1984, MathWorks employs more than 2400 people in 15 countries, with headquarters in Natick, Massachusetts, USA. For additional information, visit mathworks.com.

MATLAB and Simulink are registered trademarks of The MathWorks, Inc. See www.mathworks.com/trademarks for a list of additional trademarks. Other product or brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Museum of Science

One of the world's largest science centers and Boston's most attended cultural institution, the Museum introduces about 1.5 million visitors a year to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) via dynamic programs and hundreds of interactive exhibits. Founded in 1830, the Museum was first to embrace all the sciences under one roof. Highlights include the Thomson Theater of Electricity, Charles Hayden Planetarium, Mugar Omni Theater, Gordon Current Science & Technology Center, 3-D Digital Cinema and Butterfly Garden. Reaching 25,000 teens a year worldwide via the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network, the Museum also leads a 10-year, $41 million National Science Foundation-funded Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network of science museums. The Museum’s “Science Is an Activity” exhibit plan has been awarded many NSF grants and influenced science centers worldwide. Its National Center for Technological Literacy®’s engineering curricula have reached 35,500 teachers and close to 3 million students nationwide. The Museum has also: been recognized by Boston and Cambridge for its energy and sustainability efforts; named an Employer of Choice by Work Without Limits, a Massachusetts disability employment initiative; is Yankee Magazine's "Best of New England Readers' Choice" for Cultural Attraction in Science; and is El Planeta's Best Tourist Attraction for the Massachusetts Latino population. Visit http://www.mos.org. Become a fan of the Museum on Facebook at www.facebook.com/museumofscience or follow the Museum on Twitter at @museumofscience.