CHICAGO, Jan. 22, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This week, the Adler Planetarium launched its first crowdfunding campaign to support the reimagination of its Mission Moon (formerly Shoot for the Moon) exhibition. With support from the public, the Adler will create an exciting, interactive and unique educational experience for visitors that better tells the story of America's first steps into space.
Through Indiegogo.com, the Adler has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise $95,000 to support a dramatic redesign of Mission Moon, which will open on April 11, 2015, the 45th anniversary of the Apollo 13 mission.
"The story of America's quest to go to the Moon celebrates a nation that joined together to achieve the impossible," said Marc Lapides, vice president of business and market development. "The Adler is exploring new ways to engage our audiences and invite them to help us create a unique, shared experience that tells our story through the lives of the exceptional individuals who made history."
About Mission Moon
In this exhibition, visitors become active participants in the compelling story of our first steps into space. Following American space hero, Capt. James A. Lovell, Jr., through pivotal events in the early days of the space program, visitors step into the moment to experience history as it was being made and become part of the narrative through interactive experiences. Through hands-on activities that capture the imagination of 21st century audiences, visitors can build a rocket, monitor astronaut vitals from Mission Control or help engineer a solution to a crisis. From NASA's thrilling accomplishments to its devastating losses, experience history through the lives of those who lived it.
Participants can contribute anywhere from $5 to $20,000. The names of all donors will be featured on a Virtual Wall of Thanks, which will be located on the Adler's website. Supporters will be able to see their Mission Moon contributions in action when the exhibition opens in April, but there are many other unique "perks" as part of the campaign. Depending on the pledge amount, perks include: astronaut ice cream, official Mission Moon merchandise, exclusive invitations to the Mission Moon opening, Adler memberships, commemorative poster artwork signed by Captain Lovell, donor recognition – digitally or outside the exhibition, limited edition artwork, a private high-altitude balloon launch led by an Adler astronomer, and a priceless opportunity to spend time with an American space hero at the Mission Moon VIP opening event.
By contributing to this campaign, donors will enable the Adler to make the exhibition more accessible and create an experience that engages and inserts visitors into history as its being made. New features of the exhibition include, but are not limited to the following:
- The centerpiece of the exhibition, the Gemini 12 spacecraft, will have a ramp built around the capsule's protective glass case to give visitors of all ages and abilities a glimpse at the realities of living and working in space in the mid-20th century.
- Visitors will be challenged to test their own problem-solving skills by building and launching rockets, assuming the role of Mission Control CAPCOM (primary contact for communicating with crew in space, usually an astronaut), and engineering solutions to solve a crisis in space.
- Visitors will hear snippets of what Marilyn Lovell and her young children heard on a "squawk box" in their home —urgent communications between the crew of Apollo 13 and Mission Control in Houston. This glimpse into the lives of the Lovell family will remind visitors that astronauts are ordinary people who become exceptional when they risk their lives to learn something new.
To support the campaign or learn more about the project, visit the Adler's IndieGoGo page. For more information on the Adler Planetarium, visit adlerplanetarium.org.
About the Adler Planetarium
The Adler Planetarium—America's First Planetarium—was founded in 1930 by Chicago business leader Max Adler. A recognized leader in public learning, the Adler Planetarium inspires young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Scientists, historians and educators at the museum inspire the next generation of explorers.
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