Flying Fish, an award-winning producer of touring museum and science centre exhibitions, has announced the debut of its new touring exhibition, Stardust: The Universe in You.
This ground-breaking exhibition is set to launch in summer 2025. It explores how the wonders of the universe are closely linked to life on Earth, and will take guests on a spectacular cosmic adventure.
See also: Flying Fish: exploring the ocean and beyond
Cosmic adventure
Stardust: The Universe in You offers an interactive STEAM experience with hands-on exploration, suitable for all ages. Visitors will be immersed in an exciting examination of the forces and elements that shape our world.
Jay Brown, principal and managing director of Flying Fish, says: “Stardust: The Universe in You exemplifies the power of collaboration and shared vision. Our collaboration with Spark Initiatives and the support from Cosmosphere were instrumental in bringing this groundbreaking exhibition to life.
“We’ve designed an experience that excites and educates by showcasing the connections between the universe and human life. Under the guidance of our science advisor, Alec Habig, an astrophysicist from the University of Minnesota Duluth, the exhibition is scientifically accurate and fun.
“These partnerships allowed us to craft an interactive adventure that transcends the traditional exhibition experience, inviting visitors to discover the cosmic origins within themselves while fostering a deep appreciation for the universe we all share.”
Interactive STEAM experience
Highlights include:
- The Story Begins. The journey starts with a look into the universe’s origins. Visitors will experience the expansion of a Hoberman sphere, representing the growth of the universe since the Big Bang, and explore a projection-based timeline to learn about early cosmic history.
- From Atoms to Stars. The foundations of life are covered in detail in this section. Guests can create models using toys shaped like atoms, learn about star formation by drumming, and investigate space’s three-dimensionality to find constellations.
- Building Galaxies. Here, visitors can study the formation and composition of galaxies. They are invited to make and animate a galaxy which is shown in a group projection and visualises various galaxy shapes. An interactive orrery helps visitors to identify planets in our solar system and understand our position in the Milky Way.
- Supernovas: Exploding Elements. This immersive zone demonstrates the spectacular life cycle of stars. Guests will discover the elemental composition of ordinary objects and witness the dramatic visuals and sounds of a supernova, cosmic explosions which disperse life-sustaining elements throughout the universe.
- Earth and You: Made of Stardust. The final area explores the presence of star elements in our bodies, while a dynamic stardust wall captures your silhouette in a visual connection to the stars. A model of the James Webb Space Telescope demonstrates how this technology advances our understanding of the universe’s past.
Please note: Stardust: The Universe in You is in production and subject to change.
Accessible exhibits
Stardust: The Universe in You highlights the connections that unite us all. Brown concludes: “We aim to spark a sense of wonder and curiosity about the universe and our place within it. Our interactive approach makes complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging for everyone.”
The exhibition covers 5,000 square feet and offers scalability options of +/- 1,500 square feet. It is available in both English and Spanish.
Stardust: The Universe in You is produced and toured internationally by Flying Fish in partnership with Spark Initiatives and with support from Cosmosphere. Its science advisor is the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Department of Physics and Astronomy. Please visit the Flying Fish website for more information and to reserve the exhibition.
Flying Fish recently shared details of the interactive touring exhibition HOCKEY: Faster Than Ever. This project was developed in collaboration with the Montréal Science Centre with support from the NHL and NHLPA. It follows the For Museums, By Museums ethos championed by Jay Brown, principal and managing director of Flying Fish.
