Science on Screen, a collaboration between Varsity Cinema, STEM Librarian Dan Chibnall, and STEM@DRAKE, launches Feb. 27 with a screening of the sci-fi/horror classic The Thing, introduced by Shauna Kaplan, associate professor of biology. Buy tickets.

Kaplan’s introduction will explore how different diseases spread in our society. Some transmit directly from one person to another, others are spread from an insect bite, such as a tick or mosquito, and some spread from animal to human. Before watching The Thing, she will talk about how some diseases transmit from an animal to a human easily, while others are much more difficult, and whether once the disease is in a human if it can transmit to another human, using influenza as the main example.

The Thing is a sci-fi/horror classic from director John Carpenter. Set on a science research station in the Antarctic, an American research team has a strange encounter with their Norwegian counterparts, including a husky dog who is not what it seems. This film explores science and sci-fi concepts such as biological transmission of disease, paranoia, seclusion, social anxiety, and alienation. 

This is the first of three films in the series coming to Varsity Cinema this spring. The next film in the series will be Blackberry, March 26, with an introduction by SJMC professor Chris Snider on the evolution of and relationship with our mobile devices particularly smartphones. The final film will be Galaxy Quest on April 30 with an introduction by professor Charlie Nelson on our fascination with the concept of extraterrestrials. 

Science on Screen series schedule:

Film: John Carpenter’s The Thing
Tuesday, Feb. 27: talk begins at 6:30 p.m., film shortly after, no later than 7 p.m.
Special Guest Speaker: Associate Professor Shauna Kaplan, Biology & Microbiology, Drake University
Presentation Title: Diseases that Transmit Between Animals and Humans
Description: Different diseases spread (known as transmission) in different modes. Some transmit directly from one person to another, others are spread from an insect bite, such as a tick or mosquito, and some spread from animal to humans. Before watching The Thing, we will talk about how some diseases transmit from an animal to a human easily, while other are much more difficult, and whether if once the disease is in a human if it can transmit to another human, using influenza as the main example.
Tickets: On sale now https://varsitydesmoines.com/purchase/381564/

Film: Blackberry
Tuesday, March 26: talk begins at 6:30 p.m., film shortly after, no later than 7 p.m.
Special Guest Speaker: Associate Professor Chris Snider, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Drake University
Presentation Title: “Don’t Silence Your Phones”
Description: How our smartphones went from email-obsessed devices to powerful movie-making tools that fit in our pocket. This presentation from Drake University School of Journalism multimedia professor Chris Snider will discuss the evolution of smartphones, which are now used to film major motion pictures. Snider will also share some tips for all of us to unleash our movie-making abilities.
Tickets: Will go on sale in mid-March 

Film: Galaxy Quest
Tuesday, April 30: talk begins at 6:30 p.m., film shortly after, no later than 7 p.m.
Special Guest Speaker: Associate Professor Charlie Nelson, Physics & Astronomy, Drake University
Presentation Title & Description: TBA
Tickets: Will go on sale in mid-April

Science on Screen is a national initiative of the COOLIDGE CORNER THEATRE, with major support from the ALFRED P. SLOAN FOUNDATION.