Apple Donates Power Macs To Smithsonian

Apple Computer has donated equipment to the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals, located in the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History. Six 3D animation movie stations and multimedia kiosks, driven by Power Macintosh computers, will educate and entertain the millions of people who pass through the museum in Washington, D.C.

Each station and kiosk focuses on a particular component of the Hall's collection, which includes the famous Hope Diamond and other fine jewelry. Visitors can assume the role of a scientist as they study the formation of the earth, observe volcano eruptions and explore the Milky Way galaxy.

"It is rewarding for us to empower the museum with the tools to provide an enriching learning experience for children and adults from around the world," said an Apple marketing executive. "We have always felt strongly about supporting education and the arts."

The content for the simulations was created by Engineering Animation, Inc., which combined the expertise of geologists, scientific illustrators, researchers, multimedia artists and 3D animators. Apple Computer, Inc., Cupertino, CA, (800) 538-9696, www.education.apple.com.

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