Pop culture and science rarely intersect. The Museum of Science, however, finds the confluence of these two disparate areas with the world premiere of the new exhibit The Science Behind Pixar. See how such beloved characters as WALL-E and Toy Story’s Buzz Lightyear (pictured)—as well as new animated friends from the current blockbuster Inside Out—are brought to life by a combination of artistic imagination and computer wizardry. STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) takes center stage in more than 40 interactive displays meant to inspire the next generation of tech gurus, whether they turn those talents towards creating Oscar-worthy animation or not.

Photo: Michael Malyszko