TELUS World of Science-Edmonton always tries to pull inspiration for public programming from its film openings. Highlighting existing programs that tie into the film’s content and creating new programs not only adds value for guests and gives them a reason to spend more time at the science centre—it also gets visitors excited and talking about the film. Edmonton’s launch of Back From the Brink: Saved From Extinction was no exception.

Turtles are an amazing example of biological adaptability and endurance, having roamed the earth for 220 million years. They're also much-loved and admired the world over. However, they are often underappreciated for the vital role they play in the environment. And unfortunately, despite their much-celebrated endurance, turtles are in trouble. That’s why Tennessee Aquarium has officially declared 2020 “Year of the Turtle,” a yearlong turtle bonanza that will feature the film Turtle Odyssey 3D in the IMAX Theater and a wide range of turtle updates and additions to the Aquarium visitor experience. It will also train a bigger spotlight on the work being done by conservation groups to study and safeguard turtles around the world.

Although we collaborate closely with our colleagues at the Royal BC Museum, IMAX® Victoria is a separate organization. There are barriers to collaboration (such as operation differences, the timelines on which decisions need to be made, resources available, scheduled content, pricing, and mandates), but the Learning Department of the Museum and the theatre have historically tried to offer cohesive programming. This is especially true when we get films that meet the needs of British Columbian Educators. Dream Big: Engineering Our World was one of those films. We had a very successful experience designing and implementing a collaborative program for school groups, and it continues today.

Everywhere you turn this summer, people are talking about the 50th anniversary of the historic moon landing, and Apollo 11: The First Steps Edition is the perfect film to get space enthusiasts into giant screen theaters. But Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, saw an opportunity to do more than offer just a film to teach visitors about the monumental achievement. Their “Summer of Space” is a multi-departmental effort, with Apollo 11: First Steps Edition serving as the centerpiece of the programmatic theme throughout the whole summer.

Virginia Aquarium has robust programming efforts directed at showcasing the sea turtles that visit the coastal waters and nest along Virginia’s beaches. But the Aquarium cannot bring guests into the open ocean to see the challenges of daily life for a sea turtle, and that is where Turtle Odyssey 3D comes in.