Athena Cinema among those to win grants to bring science education to the movies
The College of Fine Arts is proud to announce that the Athena Cinema once again has received a nationwide Science on Screen grant by the Coolidge Corner Theatre and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, awarding grants to 36 independent cinemas, museums, and community groups with film programs nationwide in 2017-2018.
Science on Screen grant recipients are chosen based on the need for science-related programming in their community, the strength of their proposed Science on Screen programs, the success of past Science on Screen programs (for returning grantees), their location, and their commitment to reaching diverse and underserved audiences. The Athena is among 21 returning grantees and 15 first-time participants in this 2017-18 Science on Screen funding season.
Each recognized organization will receive up to $8,500 to create and present three or more Science on Screen events, which pair expert-led discussions of scientific topics with screenings of feature and documentary films.
The Athena’s Science on Screen program, started in 2012, is a series of events that pairs feature films and documentaries with presentations by renowned scientific experts and technological innovators. Science on Screen events are fun and engaging and offer our dynamic speakers an unexpected jumping point to teach us about their field of expertise in a way that is accessible to a diverse audience.
“These events are a wonderful way to highlight the connection between art and science in a way that appeals to students, faculty and community members with a wide array of interests,” said Alexandra Kamody, director of the Athena Cinema.
This year’s events are below:
“Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story”
Speaker: Gerri Botte, Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and director of the Center for Electrochemical Engineering Research
Tuesday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m. The Athena Cinema’s Science on Screen presents “Bombshell: the Hedy Lamarr Story.” What do the most ravishingly beautiful actress of the 1930s and 40s and the inventor whose concepts were the basis of cell phone and Bluetooth technology have in common? They are both Hedy Lamarr, the glamour icon whose ravishing visage was the inspiration for Snow White and Cat Woman and a technological trailblazer who perfected a radio system to throw Nazi torpedoes off course during World War II. Preceding the film will be a presentation by Russ Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Dr. Gerri Botte. Gerardine (Gerri) Botte is a University Distinguished Professor, the founder and Director of Ohio University’s Center for Electrochemical Engineering Research (CEER), and a prolific inventor, entrepreneur, and visionary. In 2010, she was named a Fellow of the World Technology Network for her contributions on the development of sustainable and environmental technologies. This event is also sponsored by the Kennedy Lecture Series.
“Jane”
Speaker: Nancy Stevens, Presidential Research Scholar & Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences
Tuesday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m. Science on Screen presents “Jane.” Drawing from over 100 hours of never-before-seen footage that has been tucked away in the National Geographic archives for over 50 years, award-winning director Brett Morgen tells the story of Jane Goodall. The film offers an unprecedented, intimate portrait of a trailblazer who defied the odds to become one of the world’s most admired conservationists. Preceding the film will be a presentation by Ohio University Presidential Research Scholar & Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Nancy Stevens. Stevens’ research explores extinction dynamics and interactions between animals and environments through time. Her fossil discoveries include the oldest fossil ape, and she has studied critically-endangered primates in Uganda, Madagascar and Vietnam. Sponsored by the Kennedy Lecture Series.
National Evening of Science on Screen: Program details to be announced.
Tuesday, March 27, 7 p.m. The Athena Cinema invites the public to a National Evening of Science on Screen, an evening when theaters across the nation will host their own Science on Screen events. Stay tuned for information on what film and presentation the Athena Cinema will bring to Athens this spring.
All Science on Screen events are free to the public, made possible through Arts for OHIO. Past Science on Screen events at the Athena Cinema can be found here: athenacinema.com/science-on-screen.
The purpose of the program is to inspire in audience members an increased appreciation for STEM topics — science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Science on Screen features classic, cult, science fiction, and nonfiction films provocatively matched with lively presentations by experts who discuss specific scientific, technological, or medical issues raised by each film.
This series would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors: Alden Library, Arts for Ohio, Film Division, Kennedy Lecture Series, Research Division and Science on Screen.