On Saturday, Jurassic World: Dominion Director Colin Trevorrow; the movie’s stars DeWanda Wise, Bryce Dallas Howard, Isabella Sermon; co-writer Emily Carmichael; and paleontologist Steve Brussatte reflected on producing the film, emphasizing the need for more diversity in STEAM careers with TRIO students during the Jurassic World Rule Your Future STEAM Symposium at Universal Studios Hollywood.
The “Jurassic World Rule Your Future STEAM Initiative” is a new program to strengthen STEAM preparation and digital skills among low-income and first-generation students. 350 TRIO students heard from the filmmakers and stars of the latest Jurassic World: Dominion film, which arrives in theaters on June 10.
“Tonight, we are here to talk about how STEAM makes movie magic,“ said COE Executive Vice President Kimberly Jones, who gave remarks before the panel discussion. “One area where there’s no doubt that much more diversity is needed across the board is the area of STEAM.”
“If your dreams only include you, they aren’t big enough. When someone told me that I can’t do something, I’d say ‘that doesn’t apply to me,'” said actress DeWanda Wise.
Working with COE, educational professionals designed three 10-hour STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) courses with input from experts from the film. The content draws on themes from the Jurassic World franchise, including paleontology, animatronics, and DNA, and offers students an exciting, hands-on experience to develop the skills necessary to pursue non-traditional STEAM careers.
When you rise, pull others up with you.
Trinity Thorpe-Lubneuski, Executive Director, Internet Essentials at Comcast
Backed by a $1.5 million investment in cash and in-kind from Comcast, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks & Resorts, this initiative leverages the collective power of Comcast NBCUniversal’s family of brands to help ensure more young people have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed in today’s digital world.
“I experienced the dinosaurs and nearly saw the dinosaurs built from scratch, but when I got on set, you could not convince me that I’m not standing in front of an actual dinosaur,“ said Wise. “They’re so amazing. I hope you have a chance to see this movie because it’s remarkable.” Wise portrays Kayla in Jurassic World: Dominion.
“The thing that’s so fun about making movies and telling stories, in general, is that this industry is still quite new,“ said actress Bryce Dallas Howard. “We get to be part of the generation that defines how we tell stories and how we reach people. Technology is constantly changing and updating. Join this industry and be willing to have your mind blown constantly.”
During the symposium, TRIO students participated in interactive STEAM demonstrations, attended a college and career fair, saw an early screening of the new film, Jurassic World: Dominion, experienced Universal Studios Hollywood, and received a free laptop computer from Comcast’s Internet Essentials program.
“We are delighted to be a part of this incredible STEAM initiative,” said COE President Maureen Hoyler. “Inspiring first-generation, college-bound students and exposing them to careers they may have never thought possible is at the core of our mission at COE. We can’t wait to see what discoveries or innovations might happen due to our students participating in these creative learning experiences.”
The Jurassic World Rule Your Future STEAM Initiative started its rollout last month in cities throughout the United States. Click here to learn more about the partnership with COE and Comcast NBC Universal.