This October, COSI (Center of Science and Industry, Columbus) is opening its doors to a major new interactive exhibit: The Science Behind Pixar. Running from October 11, 2025 through May 25, 2026, this exhibit offers visitors of all ages a chance to see how Pixar turns imagination into reality—blending creativity, technology, and science into the storytelling we love.
What to Expect
Set up across roughly 10,000–13,000 square feet of exhibit space, The Science Behind Pixar is built around hands-on, interactive displays that follow Pixar’s production pipeline step by step.
Here are key features:
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Eight sections, each dedicated to a different stage of movie-making: modeling, rigging, animation, lighting, sets & cameras, rendering, and more.
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More than 50 interactive elements that let you try your hand at tasks Pixar artists and technical teams do every day. For example: experimenting with lighting effects inspired by Finding Nemo, or exploring camera angles like those used in A Bug’s Life.
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Video interviews and first-hand accounts from Pixar’s artists, scientists, and engineers — giving a peek behind the scenes at how art and technology intersect.
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Photo opportunities and life-size recreations of beloved Pixar characters — think Buzz Lightyear, Dory, Mike & Sulley, Edna Mode, WALL•E, and others.
Learning & Inspiration: STEAM in Action
Beyond entertainment, the exhibition is designed to educate. It emphasizes STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) — showing how these disciplines work together to solve problems in animation and filmmaking.
For younger visitors especially, this could be a chance to see how interests in art, computers, physics, or storytelling might lead to creative careers. The exhibit also provides resources for educators to tie these concepts into school learning.
Practical Details: Visiting Info
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Opening date: October 11, 2025
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Closing date: May 25, 2026
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Location: COSI in Columbus, Ohio
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Ticketing: The exhibit admission is in addition to general admission. COSI offers ticket bundles (general + exhibit) and there are membership benefits.
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Membership perks: For example, COSI’s “Ultimate Membership” includes four tickets for The Science Behind Pixar; other memberships have a discounted price once the included tickets are used.
This exhibit is more than just a behind-the-scenes look at animation — it bridges storytelling and STEM in a way that feels accessible and fun. By using beloved films and characters, it draws people in; by revealing the technical and scientific foundations, it educates, inspires, and demonstrates just how many skills go into creative endeavors.
In a time when careers in technology, engineering, and media are growing, exhibits like this help highlight that art and science aren’t separate — they often work together. It can also spark curiosity in kids (and adults) who might not have thought of combining those interests before.
