COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 30, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- COSI has announced plans to partner with National Geographic to open The National Geographic Giant Screen Theater at COSI on May 1, 2014. Through this branding partnership, COSI will gain special access to one of the world's largest giant-screen film libraries that includes award-winning films in 2D and 3D digital formats, and COSI will commit a portion of programming each year exclusively to National Geographic films. Additionally, COSI's president and CEO, David E. Chesebrough, Ed.D., has been asked to lead an advisory committee for National Geographic to assist in furthering effective collaborations with other science centers and museums that have National Geographic-branded theaters.  This leadership role and partnership will also allow COSI to take advantage of National Geographic's solid quality education and explorer resources.

"We are pleased to partner with National Geographic both from a branding standpoint and on a larger level, assisting National Geographic's effort in exploring other ways they can partner with science centers and museums for positive public impact," said David E. Chesebrough, Ed.D., president and CEO of COSI.  "Additionally, combining National Geographic's stellar film library in our state-of-the-art digital theater will give our visitors a great overall theater experience."

"COSI is an amazing institution, and we are thrilled to welcome it into the National Geographic family," said Lisa Truitt, president National Geographic Cinema Ventures. "Our respective missions are in sync and we look forward to bringing all of the great content and benefits that National Geographic has to offer to Columbus through this partnership."

As a National Geographic branded theater, COSI will receive marketing support, companion educational materials, and connections to a variety of resources and programs from National Geographic Cinema Ventures.  COSI will be one of two premiere sites for National Geographic's newest film, Pandas: The Journey Home on May 1.  Pandas: The Journey Home was filmed at the Wolong Panda Center in China and tells the story of 300 giant pandas and the dedicated scientists who work tirelessly on their behalf.  The National Geographic Giant Screen Theater at COSI is the only theater branded as such in Ohio.  For ticket information, visit cosi.org/exhibits/theater.

SOURCE COSI