Star Trek: The Exhibition

Beam me up, and/or over to the Franklin Institute.

by Lauren Fleming

Star Trek is certainly living long and prospering. J.J. Abrams just released a new movie based on the TV show, Trekkies flock by the thousands to conventions each year, and, come Saturday, the Franklin Institute will display a traveling Star Trek exhibit. As Dennis Wint, president of the Franklin, says, "Star Trek is undoubtedly one of science fiction's most celebrated creations."

Making its East Coast debut in Philly, the 12,500-square-foot, interactive exhibit features re-creations of costumes, sets and characters from more than 40 years of Star Trek. Highlights include a replica of the bridge of the Starship Enterprise, galleries examining Gene Roddenberry's prejudice-free universe and a Federation shuttle craft simulator equipped to battle The Borg. Also, costumed actors continuously stroll around the exhibit.

In keeping with the Frankin's mission to educate people about science (and not just science fiction), visitors will also learn how Star Trek influenced NASA, pushed the boundaries of quantum physics and made astronomy popular on a large scale. Or, dare we say it, a galactic scale?

May 16-Sept. 20, $12-$23.75, Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St., 877-834-8497, fi.edu.