Tonight I was at another Science World After Dark event. This is their monthly adults only night at the dome, where adults 19+ are able to indulge in drinks while engaging in child-like play.
This month’s theme was video games: “Press Start for Science.” Even guests who weren’t gamers had a good time, with the ability to check out all the regular exhibits, including the seasonal “Extreme Sports: Beyond Human Limits” and “National Geographic’s Spectacle art exhibition”.
I went with my friend Miguel and we found ourselves engaging in high levels of exuberant play. Testing our strength, speed, flexibility, and mental with all their regular challenges.
High jumping, dead hanging, mind relaxing, wheelchair racing, speed skiing, trying to cram ourselves into a box, etc.
For the one night only event, showrunners also brought in two retro video games. A four man Pac-Mac table and Dance Dance Revolution arcade. Each was a jaunt down memory lane and good fun with an equally competitive friend.
We built up a sweat from our stomp-style uncoordinated dancing, which registered well on their infrared cameras in the Eureka Zone.
But broke out our free-for-all dance move for the motion sensor screen, creating a flourish of colours with our actions.
As ticket holders explored the dome we were serenaded by game music, and at timed intervals fans were able to take part in science demos and game trivia on the main stage.
There were industry talks and forums, and we could test play unreleased games from Vancouver Film School’s rising stars. The team from Meowmentum had us playing as cats in an interactive world.
There were video game “Easter Eggs” hidden throughout the dome. Clues and hints on where to find fictitious game coins, as an homage to video game easter eggs. There was a challenge to find them all, but sadly no prize given if you did.
We spent the most time in the Extreme Sports exhibit. There were many stations to engage our sense of touch, do, and play.
Testing balance and core strength with tightrope and log walking.
Then again on the boogie board and parkour obstacle course.
There was a rock climbing wall to scale up and across.
We got a glimpse of what’s it like to go paragliding.
And were able to build our own snowboard jump, then test its efficacy.
And when we needed a break we rested in a simulated cliff camping scenario.
In short this was another great After Dark Science World event and we definitely got our work out in with this one.
Science World
455 Quebec St, Vancouver, BC V6A 3Z7
(604) 443-7440
scienceworld.ca
