The Grand Cinema Presents A National Evening of Science on Screen: Kon Tiki

Event Sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

Tacoma, WA – A unique convergence of science and film at The Grand Cinema will bring theater-goers the opportunity to learn about local concerns of marine debris and watch Kon Tiki, an action packed nautical exploration film on Monday, March 16th at 6:45 p.m. 

Science on Screen: Kon Tiki will feature the modern adapted story of explorer Thor Heyerdal's epic 4,300 mile crossing of the Pacific on a balsa wood raft in 1947. Guests will also learn about the journey of marine flotsam and jetsam to local shores through a discussion hosted by Dr. Steven Fradkin, a Costal Ecologist with the Olympic National Park. Dr. Fradkin will share about marine debris’ wayward journey across the Pacific and the threats associated with non-native marine species that come from debris like a large Japanese dock that washed ashore on the wilderness coast of Olympic National Park.

This event is part of a national initiative funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to make science exciting and accessible for general audiences by pairing engaging cinematic experiences with science and technology experts. The Grand Cinema is one of only 23 theaters across the nation to receive funding for to participate in the trademarked Science on Screen event series.

This is second year The Grand has been selected as a grantee of the program, and this specific event is what Executive Director Philip Cowan had in mind when he originally applied to participate in the program. “I have always been fascinated with the stuff that floats here by water,” said Cowan, “especially now after the tsunami and resulting foreign debris seen on local coastlines.” 

Prior Science on Screen film events at The Grand Cinema have included Life of Pi, 12 Monkeys, Alien, and Obselidia.

Tickets to Science on The Screen are on sale now and are available at The Grand’s Box Office (606 S Fawcett Ave, Tacoma 98402), online at www.GrandCinema.com, or by calling (253) 593-4474.