Science on Screen Series Begins Next Week at Civic Theatre of Allentown

Civic Theatre of Allentown will screen four films as part of its Science on Screen series - the only educational film series of its kind in the Lehigh Valley. The scheduled films include "A Birder's Guide to Everything" on February 24, "Gorillas on the Mist" on March 16, "Field of Dreams" on April 6, and "The Goonies" on May 5. The Da Vinci Science Center will provide a hands-on activity half an hour before each film, and a notable academic figure will speak on current scientific research or technological advances that relate to the science represented in the film. Civic Theatre of Allentown is the only theatre in Pennsylvania to receive a grant to present this innovative Science on Screen program. This is the second time Civic is presenting the series. All screenings will be held at Civic's historic Nineteenth Street Theatre at 527 N. 19th Street in Allentown. Please call the box office or visit www.CivicTheatre.com for more information.

Piloted by the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, MA and presented at Civic through a grant from the Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation and The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Science on Screen creatively pairs screenings of classic, cult, and documentary films with lively introductions by notable figures from the world of science, technology, and medicine. Science on Screen expands film and scientific literacy by creatively pairing screenings of classic, cult, and documentary films with lively presentations by prominent science and technology experts. Each film is used as a jumping off point for the speaker to reveal current scientific research or technological advances, providing the perfect combination of entertainment and enlightenment. Through support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the series has expanded to independent theatres nationwide. All the theatres are members of the National Art House Convergence Group.

Films in the Civic Series are:

· "A Birder's Guide to Everything" on February 24 at 7:00 pm-David Portnoy, a 15-year-old birding fanatic thinks that he's made the discovery of a lifetime. So, on the eve of his father's remarriage, he escapes on an epic road trip with his best friends to solidify their place in birding history. Dr. Daniel Klem, Professor of Ornithology and Conservation Biology at Muhlenberg College, will speak on a current topic related to ornithology and birding.

· "Gorillas in the Mist" on March 17 at 7:00 pm-Starring Sigourney Weaver, this film tells the story of Dian Fossey, a scientist who came to Africa to study the vanishing mountain gorillas and later fought to stop the decimation of the endangered apes. Dr. John A. Cigliano, Director of Environmental Conservation and Professor of Biology, will speak on how human activities, both good and bad, affect the conservation of gorillas and chimpanzees . Dr. Cigliano's presentation is part of a national evening of Science on Screen.

· "Field of Dreams" on April 6 at 7:15 pm-An Iowa corn farmer, hearing voices, interprets them as a command to build a baseball diamond in his fields; he does, and the Chicago Black Sox come. Dr. Gary DeLeo, Professor of Physics at Lehigh University, will speak on the Physics of Baseball.

· "The Goonies" on May 5 at 7:00 pm-In this adventure comedy, a group of kids set out on an adventure in search of pirate reassure that could save their homes from foreclosure. Dr. Alec Bodzin, core faculty member of the Lehigh Environmental Initiative at Lehigh University, will speak about the science of exploration.

The Da Vinci Science Center will provide a hands-on presentation half an hour before each film. Families are welcome, and teachers are encouraged to bring their students!

Civic's Box Office # is 610-432-8943 all shows will be produced at Civic's historic 19th Street Theatre, 527 N. 19th Street, Allentown, PA. Free parking for the shows and film screenings are available along Liberty and Allen Streets near 19th Street. Civic also has arrangements with local businesses as parking sponsors. Additional free parking is available in the Wells Fargo Bank lot at 19th and Liberty; The Allentown Appliance Lot (on Allen Street), the Salvatore Pizza/Lafayette Bank lot on Allen Street; and the Silver Shears lot on Allen Street.

Tickets

These screenings are $8.00 general admission, $6 for Civic Theatre members as well as members of the Da Vinci Science Center. Tickets can be purchased online at CivicTheatre.com and in person at the Civic Theatre Box Office during operating hours.

Science on Screen

Civic Theatre of Allentown is one of 23 non-profit independent cinemas honored as 2014-15 recipients of Science on Screen grants presented through the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation. BMFI received the grant to develop its own Science on Screen program based on the Coolidge Corner Theatre's model of pairing film screenings with science and technology speakers. Civic is one the only theatre in Pennsylvania to receive a grant award and to run a Science on Screen program this year.

Science on Screen debuted at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in 2005. In 2011, the Sloan Foundation partnered with the Coolidge Corner Theatre to take the Science on Screen concept beyond the Greater Boston area. With the support of a $150,000 grant from the Sloan Foundation, the program grew to encompass eight independent cinemas spanning the country. Following the successful one-year pilot, the Coolidge Corner Theatre received a new, two-year Sloan Foundation grant of $463,426 to continue Science on Screen's national expansion.

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