Giant Screen Films Partners with Lowe’s For Community Tornado Event; Install Temporary 3D Theater Inside Store
Joe Kleiman
Evanston, IL, USA (September 5, 2012) — A pilot event that brought Tornado Alley, along with science and safety presentations to northeastern Oklahoma, was hosted earlier this month by the Lowe’s store in Broken Arrow. The educational program included free special screenings of Tornado Alley using a traveling digital 3D projection system—allowing a temporary theater to be built on site. Director Sean Casey brought the Tornado Intercept Vehicle, also known as the TIV-2, and was joined by weather scientists from Oklahoma University who introduced the community to current weather research and discussed weather safety practices. Other first responders and members of the region’s hazards safety community—including representatives from the American Red Cross—were present at the store to share their resources and expertise. “We’re thrilled to work with Lowe’s to expand the impact of our NSF-funded outreach campaign,” said Deborah Raksany, VP of development and partnerships for GSF. “Their involvement will help bring attention to the needs of those that have been affected by severe weather. Lowe’s has fantastic community connections that are really effective in sharing our messages about weather safety and research.”
In addition to helping audiences gain a greater understanding of the science behind severe weather, Tornado Alley emphasizes the critical importance of research that will improve warning times, protecting the lives of those who live in affected communities. NSF-supported outreach activities will continue in the spring of 2013 in affected areas ranging from Joplin, Missouri, to Nebraska and South Dakota.
“Lowe’s is proud to host this amazing pilot program which brings vital safety information to the Oklahoma community,” said Joan Higginbotham, Director of Community Relations. The event in Broken Arrow highlighted the importance of weather research and early warnings which could potentially save lives. Through programs like these, we continue to be committed to serving the communities where we live and work.”
