posted 06-19-2008 10:26 AM               

An animated robot and his spacefaring companion are leading a campaign by NASA and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures to promote interest among schoolchildren in science and technology.

NASA and Disney have signed a Space Act Agreement for a series of educational and public outreach activities related to Disney-Pixar's new movie, WALL-E, opening in theaters nationwide on June 27, 2008.

This collaboration highlights the similarities between the movie's storyline and NASA's real-life work in robot technology, propulsion systems and astrophysics. Disney-Pixar's WALL-E is set 700 years in the future. The film's main character is the only rover-robot left on Earth. He meets a new robot named Eve, and together they take a journey through the universe.

"Great ideas for future exploration of the universe start with the imagination," said Robert Hopkins, chief of strategic communications at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "We hope that with the help of our new robot friend WALL-E, NASA can encourage young people to learn about science and technology and become the explorers of tomorrow."

Disney has designed a 30-second public service announcement featuring WALL-E for NASA's television channels and Web site. The video is designed to draw students to NASA's Web site to explore the agency's missions. The WALL-E character also will be featured on NASA's Kids' Club page. In addition, Disney has designed a "movie surfer vignette" about WALL-E that touches on science and technology that drives NASA's programs, which began airing on the Disney Channel in June.

For the World Premiere of WALL-E, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., will be showcasing some of the latest in rover and lander technology, highlighting the recent Phoenix mission, as well as the upcoming Mars Science Laboratory mission, which is currently scheduled for launch in the fall of 2009. Starting June 27 and running through August 27, the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood will host a special NASA space exploration display, including imagery from the Hubble Space Telescope, which can be enjoyed by all guests coming to see WALL-E there.

Commenting on the collaboration, Mark Zoradi, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Group, said, "All of us at Disney are delighted to be working with NASA in their educational and public outreach efforts to teach schoolchildren about space exploration, robot technology, and the universe they live in. WALL-E is one of the most lovable and entertaining characters that Pixar ever has created, and he is the perfect spokes-robot for this program. Disney-Pixar's WALL-E takes moviegoers on a thrilling and imaginative journey into outer space, and now the film's title character will be able to stimulate imaginations further through these efforts."

posted 07-22-2008 10:15 AM               

Explore space with Disney/Pixar’s WALL-E (and Friends)

To mark the European launch of WALL-E, Disney/Pixar's exciting smash hit movie, ESA is launching a new website which highlights the multitude of educational resources and fun activities that are available on the Agency's Internet pages.

In the blockbuster movie, a lonely little robot named WALL-E develops a deep curiosity that eventually inspires it to set off on a fantastic voyage across the galaxy in search of a probe-droid called EVE.

As is often the case, science fiction is some years ahead of science fact. Although ESA is currently developing “semi-intelligent” robots that can explore other planets and assist astronauts in space, relatively few Europeans have so far been lucky enough to leave planet Earth.

Fortunately, there are much easier ways for people - young and old - to follow in WALL-E's footsteps. In order to explore space from the comfort of your own home or classroom, all you have to do is log onto the WALL-E portal to enter a world of fascinating facts, animations, pop-ups, educational DVDs, DIY experiments, games, competitions and puzzles.

“As an extension to its existing outreach activities, ESA has developed this website in collaboration with Disney/Pixar,” said Francesco Emma, Head of ESA's Education Office. “We see this as an exciting new way to introduce young people to the wonders of space exploration.”

On the WALL-E web site, the robotic characters are on hand as guides to ESA missions and educational material that can be linked to the movie. The content is organised under 4 themes: Our Place in the Universe, Caring for the Earth, Life in Space, and Exploration and Robotics.

Each of these themes can be used to find educational information that will be of value for teachers, learn about the Universe, our planet, Astronauts and Robots and link to the ESA Kids website, where you can find material that will inspire and entertain everyone who is young at heart.

Our Place in the Universe

Through ESA's WALL-E web site you can find out about the wonders of the Universe, as well as exciting missions such as SOHO, which stares continuously at the Sun, and the Huygens probe which made an historic landing on Saturn’s giant moon, Titan.

Caring for the Earth

By clicking on the Media Gallery you can admire images of the beautiful blue Earth and learn about remote sensing from space. The site also helps you to find out about ESA’s satellites, including Envisat, the largest Earth observation satellite ever launched, the Earth Explorer missions and the Meteosats which monitor our changing weather.

Life in Space

The WALL-E portal provides links to the ISS Education Kit for primary (8-10 year-olds) and secondary schools (12-14 year-olds) and various web lessons on line. You can also learn how to survive in space, and find out about ESA’s Columbus laboratory and the Automated Transfer Vehicle which is now delivering tonnes of supplies to the ISS.

Exploration and Robotics

Like WALL-E, humans have always been driven by curiosity to discover more about our world and the Universe that surrounds us. Today, the exploration of space remains one of the most stimulating and exciting areas of scientific research. Visit the WALL-E portal to find out about ESA’s Aurora programme of Solar System exploration, the Lunar Robotic Challenge, the ExoMars rover and the search for life on other planets.

posted 07-25-2008 10:39 PM               

Wall-E Learns About Proportion

Do you ever wonder how big the moon is? Watch this video featuring Disney/Pixar's Wall-E to find out!