STAR TREK: THE EXHIBITION to Open at The Franklin in Philadelphia on May 16

STAR TREK: THE EXHIBITION to Open at The Franklin in Philadelphia on May 16

Interactive Exhibition Showcases the Star Trek Legacy, 40 Years in the Making

TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY, APRIL 17!

PHILADELPHIA, April 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Tickets go on sale tomorrow for The Franklin's newest traveling exhibition, STAR TREK: THE EXHIBITION, which makes its East Coast debut on Saturday, May 16, in the Mandell Center. The 12,500 square foot interactive exhibition enables visitors to connect with iconic Star Trek moments and characters while celebrating the creative spirit of science fiction that gave rise to many of today's modern marvels. Produced by Premier Exhibitions, Inc. and licensed from CBS Consumer Products, STAR TREK: THE EXHIBITION contains the world's most comprehensive collection of authentic Star Trek ships, costumes and props from over 40 years of Star Trek. The Exhibition will be on display at The Franklin through September 20, 2009.

"Star Trek is undoubtedly one of science fiction's most celebrated creations," said Dr. Dennis Wint, president and CEO of The Franklin. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase the imagination, artistry and craftsmanship of the franchise here at The Franklin."

STAR TREK: THE EXHIBITION fully immerses visitors into the legendary television and movie adventures that have become synonymous with innovation and ingenuity. Quantum teleportation, distances and speed in space travel, inertia, rocket propulsion, relativity, technology and astronomy are just a few of the scientific principles and theories demonstrated throughout the Exhibition.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EXHIBITION:
-- Bridge of the Starship Enterprise D - A detailed recreation of the
bridge from the U.S.S. Enterprise as featured in the Star Trek: The
Next Generation television series. The bridge set has influenced
real-world design, including NASA's mission control room in Houston.
-- Sickbay and Engineering Room - Instantly recognizable to fans of Star
Trek: The Next Generation, the Engineering Room was the province of
Geordi La Forge, who was responsible for the ship's powerful warp
engines. The ship's Sickbay was the setting for many of the show's
most important scenes, where Dr. Beverly Crusher served as the ship's
Chief Medical Officer. Star Trek's propulsion systems and healing
techniques give us insight into today's rocket technologies and
medical science.
-- Infinite Diversity Gallery - Star Trek's writers have always been true
to creator Gene Roddenberry's vision of a universe without prejudice
where men and women of all races work as equals dedicated to one
mission. The incredible range of life in the galaxy--as seen through
the imaginative eyes of Star Trek's writers and artists--is
represented in the Infinite Diversity Gallery. Visitors can examine
the award-winning design and craftsmanship in some of Star Trek's most
amazing alien creatures, including Klingons, Cardassians,
Shapeshifters and the Borg. This gallery examines the breadth of the
universe, as well as current scientific programs to better understand
it.
-- The History of the Future Gallery - The History of the Future features
a timeline of the entire Star Trek saga and places each series and
film into its historical perspective from the present-day
International Space Station and NASA's return to the Moon through the
future voyages of captains Archer, Kirk, Picard, Sisko, and Janeway.

-- Simulator Experience - A thrill ride in a Federation shuttle craft
honing in on the future's greatest menace--the Borg.

TECHNOLOGY AND STAR TREK

Star Trek's hand props represent a wide variety of design styles and embody an amazing array of technologies--both real and imagined.

-- Communicators and tricorders inspired generations of telecommunication
devices.
-- Starfleet medical equipment was the forerunner for much of the
technology used in hospitals today.
-- Geordi La Forge's VISOR gave a man born blind the ability to "see"
much of the electromagnetic spectrum - radio waves, infrared, and
ultraviolet.

-- Phasers have given rise to a generation of research and weapons that
do not use deadly force.

Above all, STAR TREK: THE EXHIBITION celebrates creativity, imagination and courage. Every Star Trek series is replete with exploration and explorers - men and women who go beyond fear and perceived boundaries to find and connect with new worlds. But for every Kirk, there is an Armstrong; for every Scotty, there is an Einstein; for every Janeway, there is a Pasteur. The Exhibition brings Star Trek's characters to life and reminds us of the real life scientists and explorers in our midst.

TICKET INFORMATION
STAR TREK: THE EXHIBITION ticket pricing at The Franklin follows:
Single Tickets
-- Adults: $23.75 (Daytime); $12.00 (After 5pm: Thursday - Sunday only)
-- Seniors: $22.75 (Daytime); $11.00 (After 5pm: Thursday - Sunday only)

-- Children ages 4-11: $15.50 (Daytime); $9.50 (After 5pm: Thursday -
Sunday only)

Tickets are timed and dated, and include general admission to The Franklin with a Fels Planetarium show. A special "Shuttlepod Simulator" experience is an additional $6.00. Admission is Monday through Wednesday 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Sunday 9:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Advance ticket purchase is recommended. For information on purchasing tickets, please call 1.877.TFI.TIXS or visit www.fi.edu. Information on tickets for groups of 15 or more is available at 1.800.285.0684.

About Premier Exhibitions, Inc.

Premier Exhibitions, Inc. located in Atlanta, GA is a major provider of museum quality exhibitions throughout the world. Premier Exhibitions is a recognized leader in developing and displaying unique exhibitions for education and entertainment. The Company's exhibitions present unique opportunities to experience compelling stories using authentic objects and artifacts in diverse environments. Exhibitions are presented in museums, exhibition centers and other entertainment venues. The company produces Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, BODIES...The Exhibition, BODIES REVEALED, Titanic Science, Titanic Aquatic, and Dialog in the Dark. More information about Premier Exhibitions, Inc. is available at www.prxi.com.

About The Franklin

Founded in honor of America's first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin Institute is a renowned and innovative leader in the field of science and technology learning, as well as a dynamic center of activity. It is dedicated to creating a passion for science by offering new and exciting access to science and technology in ways that would dazzle and delight its namesake. For more information, please visit www.fi.edu.

Source: The Franklin Institute

CONTACT: Kat Stein, +1-215-448-2375, kstein@fi.edu, or Stefanie Santo,
+1-215-448-1152, ssanto@fi.edu, both of The Franklin Institute

Web Site: http://www.fi.edu/

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