Star Wars vs Ben Franklin: Advantage Star Wars

When Bostonist went through grade school Ben Franklin was the gold standard of inventor/kite-flyer, revolutionary, patriot, journalist, abolitionist and all-around model American. Born on Milk Street here in Boston in 1706, affection for Franklin and the many accomplishments in his life have long been used as a teaching tool for the Bay State chillins. Major news media is reporting today that Star Wars may usurp Franklin’s position. “Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination'' which will open tomorrow at the Museum of Science has been touted not only as a Star Wars fan’s wet dream but also a teaching tool about modern science. The $5 million exhibit displays parts of sets and costumes used in the six movies, the original trilogy and the more recent prequel trilogy. In the hands-on fashion that the Museum of Science uses in may of their exhibits people can build their own simple ‘Maglev’ trains which use magnetic propulsion while looking at some of the wicked cool space ships and hovercraft used in the Star Wars series.

The exhibit sprawls over a 10,000 square foot area of the museum. Though the origins are purportedly set in a far off galaxy a long, long time ago history hasn’t come first. The exhibit focuses on modern scientific applications which mimic Star Wars action. Star Wars, irrespective of Bostonist’s grade school nostalgia, the exhibit bumped an appearance of the Benjamin Franklin exhibit celebrating his 300th birthday. The Museum of Science had to decline an offer to bring the Franklin tribute to their site due to the size occupied by Star Wars. The Franklin Exhibit may not be an attack of the clones, but does contain over 250 Franklin related artifacts. Maybe Phillyist will let us know what we’re missing.