May The Force be with you – Star Wars meets Science

This unique fusion of movie magic and practical science will take place at Esplora on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 November and is certain to delight Star Wars fanatics, film buffs and the technologically savvy alike.

For the past 40 years, the catchphrase “May The Force be with you“has been associated with imagery of shimmering swords of light, spaceships, robots and a futuristic vision that leaves us in awe. Star Wars was certainly way ahead of its time despite taking place in “a galaxy far, far away”.

George Lucas’s iconic Star Wars has often anticipated real-life technology right here on Earth. Today’s scientists are taking the science fiction in Star Wars’ science fiction and transforming it into tangible scientific facts; Space tourism and high-tech are the talk of the day, while magnetic-levitation trains which defy gravity and zoom through the air like Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder are no longer a sci-fi fantasy. While C3PO and R2D2 were droids with a life of their own, autonomous robots are now among us. Today soldiers wear exoskeletal armour just like Darth Vader’s Imperial Stormtroopers, and if a light sabre was deemed as fantasy, laser technology now saves lives in the medical world. If the Death Star targets starships, cutting edge satellites and drones rule the skies. Even holograms, robotic body parts and the landing of droids on other planets are all part of today’s reality.

During those two days families are invited to attend Esplora where they will enjoy a complete Star Wars experience from a Star Wars exhibition which will feature favourite life-size characters, miniature scenes from the films and light sabre duels. The public will be given a chance to challenge the Star Wars Table Top Masters in a national tournament as well as fun workshops and presentations where Science meets Star Wars.

This is a collaboration between Esplora Interactive Science Centre and Euro Media Forum.

Comprehensive entry tickets cost €12 for adults (12-year-olds and over), €6 for five- to 11 yearolds; 4-year-olds and under are free of charge. For more information phone on 9905 2482; email: euromediaforum@gmail.com