Tornado Alley Storms Into Michigan Science Center

DETROIT – Warning: a severe weather system will be rolling into the Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci) this week in the form of a high winds, thrilling film – Tornado Alley.

Tornado Alley, a film that follows filmmaker Sean Casey (star of Discovery Channel's Storm Chasers series) and a team of researchers on a quest to witness the birth of a tornado from its very heart, will be featured on the big screen of Mi-Sci’s Chrysler IMAX® Dome Theatre starting March 1. The film illustrates a tornado’s destructive power and the researchers’ journey to penetrate a twister’s inner workings and collect comprehensive, extreme weather data.

On Saturday, March 2, visitors can see firsthand what the scene of a weather emergency looks like. Emergency response vehicles and equipment will be onsite for photo opportunities, with emergency responders offering tours and answering questions related to their services. Attendees will see a Detroit Fire Department ladder truck, a Detroit Police Department Special Response Team armored incident response vehicle and emergency response command center, as well as a DMCare Express ambulance.

“We’re excited to offer our Mi-Sci members and visitors the opportunity to watch this high-powered production and hope they will grasp the chance to meet some our city’s service men and women to fully understand what the scene of an emergency, like the impact of a weather catastrophe, looks like,” said Todd Slisher, director of visitor experience of the Michigan Science Center.

In addition to the opening event and opportunity to watch the exciting weather phenomenon onscreen, Mi-Sci is giving away a Tornado Alley Class Field Trip, which includes general Science Center admission for up to 30 students and three chaperones for the 2013 school year. Interested teachers and parents can enter to win through March 8 by visiting the contest page on www.ClickOnDetroit.com. One winner will be selected at random on March 11.

After watching Tornado Alley, attendees can explore the Science Center’s fascinating exhibits including traveling exhibits “Bodies Human: Anatomy in Motion” and “Diabetes: A Deeper Look,” along with the Dassault Systèmes Planetarium and other interactive displays.

Tornado Alley is a production of Giant Screen Films and Graphic Films. Major funding was provided by the National Science Foundation with additional support from the Giant Dome Theater Consortium. For more information, visit the film’s website at www.tornadoalleymovie.com.

About Giant Screen Films

Over the past decade, Giant Screen Films (GSF) has established itself as a pioneer in the large format/ IMAX® industry. Since 1997, the company has built a reputation for producing and distributing films that, through the magic of immersive sight and sound technologies, offer viewers an inspiring perspective on the world presented on giant IMAX® canvas. GSF’s mission is to create and share films that push the boundaries of the large-format medium, challenging the imaginations of children and adults around the world. At the core of this mission is a dedication to the partnerships that bring a diverse range of subjects to the screen and, through meaningful educational collaborations, extend each film’s impact far beyond the theater.

About The Michigan Science Center

The Michigan Science Center is a hands-on museum that inspires children and their families to discover, explore and appreciate science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The Science Center features five theaters, including Michigan’s largest screen at the Chrysler IMAX® Dome Theatre; the Dassault Systèmes Planetarium; the Toyota Engineering Theater; the DTE Energy Sparks Theater; the Chrysler Science Stage; a 9,800 square-foot Science Hall for traveling exhibits; hands-on exhibit galleries focusing on space, life and physical science; Kidstown just for pint-size scientists; and, education and outreach programs.

For more information, please call 313.577.8400 or visit the website, http://www.michigansciencecenter.org.