May 18, 2022—On Thursday, June 9, the Michigan Science Center (MiSci) will reopen its IMAX™ Dome Theatre with a ribbon-cutting event at 9 a.m., followed by a showing of Asteroid Hunters and featuring 239 brand-new, custom-designed seats featuring their FreeForm™ Trim technology generously designed and donated by Magna.

“We are grateful to Magna for providing state-of-the-art seating for our IMAX® Dome Theatre, which will allow our guests to relax in comfort while viewing inspirational and thought-provoking shows,” said Dr. Christian Greer, president and CEO of the Michigan Science Center. “A large screen with 360-degree views provides an unforgettable experience for our guests and helps us achieve our mission of putting you at the center of science. We would not be able to offer these immersive opportunities without the help of generous sponsors like Magna.”

Magna’s FreeForm™ trim technology, designed to enhance vehicle seat comfort and expand automakers’ brand through endless design possibilities, will also bring comfort and an unforgettable experience to the families who visit MiSci.

Magna’s FreeForm™ seating technology enables endless design possibilities, allowing the theater seats to have unique visual cues like those used by astronauts, race car drivers and pilots. The use of FreeForm™ results in seats that symbolize the grandeur of the Dome Theatre through their concave details. Magna’s bioscience team made sure the seats were crafted especially for movie-viewing for all ages, and with headrests that make looking up at the dome more comfortable. Also, since FreeForm™ eliminates deep trenches caused by seams, the seat surface is easier to clean.

“FreeForm is a dream for stylists. The technology enables designers to create features in seats that could not be done before. Now with our partnership with the Michigan Science Center, FreeForm has allowed us to create a comfortable and convenient experience in their IMAX Dome Theatre,” said John Wyskiel, President of Magna Seating. “So naturally, we’re thrilled to bring our unique technology and product to the rebirth of a great Michigan institution like the Science Center’s IMAX Dome Theatre and honored to give the next generation of scientists, engineers, inventors and mathematicians the best seat in the house.”

Magna’s collaboration with the Michigan Science Center is rooted in a common goal to promote and inspire STEM and FIRST Robotics in the local communities the organizations serve.

About The Michigan Science Center

The Michigan Science Center (MiSci) is a Smithsonian affiliate that inspires nearly 250,000 curious minds of all ages every year through STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) discovery, innovation and interactive education in Detroit and across Michigan. As a STEM hub, MiSci focuses on developing and introducing expanded education programs, exhibits and initiatives to empower and enrich our children and community. Through our Traveling Science Program and distance learning initiative, ECHO, we are expanding beyond our Detroit-based facility, with a goal of reaching all 83 counties of Michigan. With the Toyota Engineering 4D Theater, live science demonstrations, lab activities and 220+ interactive exhibits, there are dozens of ways to customize your MiSci visit. The Michigan Science Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not receive funding from Detroit or the state of Michigan. For more information, please call 313.577.8400 or visit the website, Mi-Sci.org.

About Magna
Magna is more than one of the world’s largest suppliers in the automotive space. We are a mobility technology company with a global, entrepreneurial-minded team of 161,000 employees and an organizational structure designed to innovate like a startup. With 60+ years of expertise, and a systems approach to design, engineering and manufacturing that touches nearly every aspect of the vehicle, we are positioned to support advancing mobility in a transforming industry. Our global network includes 340 manufacturing operations and 89 product development, engineering and sales centres spanning 28 countries.

About Asteroid Hunters
Venture into deep space for a fascinating look at asteroids, their cosmic origins and the potential threat they pose to our world. Meet asteroid scientists and discover the cutting-edge tools and techniques they use to detect, track and study asteroids. Learn about the impressive technology that may one day protect our planet, and find out why science is the only thing that can stop a fatal asteroid strike. Narrated by Star Wars’ star Daisy Ridley, this documentary features actual footage and stunning simulations.