Education & Change
We’re changing the planet, one film at a time.
We don’t just tell people why they should care, we show them, harnessing the power of great storytelling and stunning imagery to spark lasting changes in behaviors and attitudes.
- Ocean charities like Reef Check and other NGOs used screenings of Coral Reef Adventure to raise more than $250,000 for coral reef conservation
- After seeing To the Arctic, 86% of the audience said it would impact their vote on environmental issues
- Our Mission Aquarius campaign created international media attention, which helped drive new funding to keep the world’s last remaining underwater research station from closing
We have seen countless examples of this positive social change at work, whether through a giant-screen film, digital video series or social media campaign.
Our work influences the way people think, feel and act.
90%
of viewers said Everest exceeded their expectations and also affected their activities, from planning a hiking trip to inquiring about GPS devices used by the film’s scientist.
4.5
Coral Reef Adventure rated 4.5 out of 5 in appeal and increased knowledge, meaning it positively impacted people's learning about this key marine resource
90%
of teachers said Grand Canyon Adventure met their needs as educators
93%
of viewers discussed Journey Into Amazing Caves with someone on the day of seeing it
Data based on Edumetrics studies and evaluations, conducted in years from 1998-2008.
The reach of our films is vast and powerful.
Our films play in the world’s most renowned science centers, natural history museums, space centers and aquariums. These informal learning settings are critical to our mission of entertaining and educating audiences.
One in three Americans has seen a giant-screen film and 96% would recommend the experience to a friend.
Over 60% of giant-screen theatres are in prestigious museums and science centers in metropolitan areas. The films reach a youthful, active audience, 2/3 of which have a college degree or higher.
850 million people pass through museums each and every year, more than all professional sporting events combined.
(American Association of Museums Study, 2001)
77% of viewers come to IMAX theatres to be both educated and entertained.
Nearly 50% of the public’s understanding of science outside of school comes from the free-choice learning sector dominated by museums.
(2002 study by Dr. John H. Falk)
87% of Americans believe museums to be among the most trustworthy sources for information.
(American Association of Museums Study, 2001)
Almost 75% of informal learning institutions provide programs, workshops, materials, or curricula support for K-12 science education, in addition to one-day field trips.
(Center for Informal Science Institutions, 2004)
Estimates are that science institutions serve 62 percent of the total schools in the United States, impacting 9,000 districts, 73,000 schools, 2 million teachers, and 36 million students.
(Center for Informal Science Institutions, 2004)
Our work is of the highest educational quality.
We seek to present science concepts in an entertaining and engaging way, while remaining steadfastly committed to scientific accuracy.
Our films are paired with award-winning educational programs.
To extend the impact of our films, we design educational outreach programs that expand on the themes and issues presented in each film. We hope to pique interest in science, the environment and world culture—inspiring new attitudes and positive action.
TEACHER'S GUIDES
We work with education experts to create Teacher’s Guides filled with standards-based, hands-on activities and lesson plans, designed for use in classrooms either before or after seeing our films.
FAMILY ACTIVITY GUIDES
From visiting a virtual reef or to finding out what you can do to conserve water, our film websites include interactive learning games, projects to do at home, ways to make a difference and resources for finding more information.
SCIENTIST ON TOUR
We send the scientific stars of our films straight to schools and museums across North America, getting kids everywhere excited about science and presenting positive role models for children who might one day become scientists in their own right.
SPEAKER SERIES
The inspiring individuals seen in our films have exciting stories to tell, whether it's climbing Mt. Everest, discovering new ocean species at the bottom of the sea, or running the world-class whitewater rapids of the Grand Canyon. Our speaker series allows these explorers to share their stories in person with museum and theatre audiences around the world.
TRAVELING EXHIBITS
We work with some of the top museum exhibit specialists in the world to design interactive traveling exhibits to accompany our films.
COMPANION BOOKS
Our series of illustrated photography companion books, published by leading book publishers, allow audiences to learn even more about the people and topics presented in our films.
UNDERSERVED STUDENT SCREENING SERIES
We want students of all ethnicities and backgrounds to have a chance to discover their world through our films. Our student screening program has allowed more than 20,000 underserved Title I students to experience our films in IMAX Theatres across North America.
CONSERVATION FUNDRAISING EVENTS
Many of our films inspire viewers to care more about protecting the natural world. We partner with non-profit organizations to host special screening events that raise money for conservation efforts, tied to topics presented in our films.
Backed by a strong foundation.
The MacGillivray Freeman Films Educational Foundation supports our mission of education and change.
Let’s change the world together.
We believe that strategic, unique partnerships are the key to making a measurable and lasting impact. Let us tell your story.
