Tuesday, August 16:
Disney Imagination Campus –
Disney’s Hollywood Studios - Orlando
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“The Physics of Disney” was the workshop theme selected by Disney Imagineers at the Disney Imagination Campus, and Tech Talent awardees learned of all the STEM subjects that lie behind the Disney “Magic”. After a warm welcome by senior Walt Disney World executives (whose generous sponsorship made this inaugural Tech Talent visit possible), Imagineer Dana took the group on a 3-hour whirlwind interactive tour of the physics, thermodynamics, magnetics, and laws of motion and gravity at work behind the scenes of Disney’s Hollywood Studios that make the magic come alive. That magic is a world-class innovation and technology STEAM center of excellence and one of the world’s most creative and visionary organizations.
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Imagineer Dana constantly engaged the students with questions about laws of motion, physics, and magnetics. She began her workshop at the “Twilight Zone Tower of Terror”, exploring the physics and engineering behind the fabled “Falling Elevator”; the group emerged from the Tower abuzz with the experience! Next stop was the electromagnetics of the “Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith", a rocket-fast ride in the dark. After some hands-on demonstrations of more physics concepts, the workshop ended at the “Slinky-Dog Dash” open-air rollercoaster in “Toy Story Land”.
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Dana finished with a group photo as Slinky-Dog raced behind the group. The group finished their tour of Hollywood Studios with a visit to “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge”, hopped in a simulator ride, and interacted with the animatronic Star Wars characters. With their Park Hopper passes (courtesy of Disney!), the Tech Talent group visited the Magic Kingdom, and ended their day at EPCOT, where Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary was celebrated with a spectacular light show and fireworks.