Culture
Athena Cinema Announces ‘Science on Screen: Under the Stars’
< < Back toThe Coolidge Theatre and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation recently announced that the Athena Cinema in Athens, Ohio, along with 37 other nonprofit film organization nationwide, received its ninth annual grant award to showcase Science on Screen events, all of which will be held outdoors at The Ridges in June and July.
The Athena is tied with the California Film Institute as the two longest-running grant recipients of the Science on Screen series in the nation.
The Athena Cinema at Ohio University’s College of Fine Arts, in partnership with OHIO Museum Complex and the Athens Community Arts, Parks and Recreation Department, is hosting “Science on Screen: Under the Stars” at the ballfield at The Ridges in Athens on June 3 (rain date June 5) and June 24 (rain date June 26), with one more to be announced.
Seating will begin at 8 p.m. At 8:30 p.m., there will be a talk by the featured scientist, followed by the film screening. All events will follow OHIO COVID-19 safety protocols.
Please visit athenacinema.com/outdoorscreenings for FAQs on safety protocol, parking, and seating. Tickets must be purchased in advance here. Concessions may be purchased in advance as well.
The June 3 events feature a screening of the 1989 film “Batman,” paired with a talk by Joe Johnson, assistant professor of vertebrate biology and director of the Ohio University Bat Lab. Johnson’s research focuses on bat ecology and conservation in Ohio and around the world since 2003. His talk is titled “Nature’s Superheroes: Bats, their superpowers, and their kryptonite.”
The June 24 screening of the sci-fi favorite “They Live” will feature Zach Meisel, associate professor of physics and astronomy and director of the Edwards Accelerator Laboratory at OHIO. His research focuses on nuclear astrophysics, studying the origin of the elements and the nuclear physics of transient astrophysical phenomena. He is currently the chair of the national user organization for the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams.
The Science on Screen program pairs expert-led discussions of scientific topics with screenings of feature and documentary films. The series inspires theatergoers with an increased appreciation for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as compelling enterprises and vital elements of a broad understanding of human culture and current events.
Athena Cinema
Science on Screen: Under the Stars
Outdoor Event at The Ridges (Formerly Athens Lunatic Asylum)
Planned Date, Thursday June 3rd; Rain Date, Saturday June 5th
Event Start Time: 8:30 p.m.
BATMAN (1989) with Joe Johnson
Title: Assistant Professor of Vertebrate Biology, Ohio University
Bio: Joe’s research focuses on bat ecology and conservation in Ohio and around the world. He has been studying bats since 2003 and is more fascinated by bats every day.
Topic: “Nature’s Superheroes: Bats, their superpowers, and their kryptonite”
Athena Cinema
Science on Screen: Under the Stars
Outdoor Event at The Ridges
Planned Date, Thursday June 24rd; Rain Date, Saturday June 26th
Event Start Time: 8:30 p.m., seating at 8:00 p.m.
THEY LIVE with Zach Meisel
Title: Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy & Director of the Edwards Accelerator Laboratory, Ohio University
Bio: Dr. Zach Meisel is an associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Ohio University where he is also director of the on-campus Edwards Accelerator Laboratory. His research is in the area of nuclear astrophysics, studying the origin of the elements and the nuclear physics of transient astrophysical phenomena. He is currently the chair of the national user organization for the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams.
Topic: “Where do They Live: A discussion of planetary habitability and the prospects for intelligent life in the Galaxy.”