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PRESENTED BY AIRBUS & THE UN CBD, THE SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBIT TO MAKE ITS U.S. DEBUT AT THE GULF COAST EXPLOREUM SCIENCE CENTER

Mobile, Ala. (Aug. 26, 2010) – Opening Sept. 25, 2010, the international See the Bigger Picture photo exhibition will make its United States debut at the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center, located in Downtown Mobile, Ala. Displaying 28 photographs representing biodiversity taken by children worldwide, the exhibition showcases a stunning combination of art and science.

See the Bigger Picture originated in 2009, when Airbus, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and National Geographic launched an international photo competition for young people to submit their photographic interpretations of biodiversity. The exhibit, which has obtained worldwide acclaim, has already visited cities such as Paris, Madrid, Hamburg and Whistler (during the Winter Olympics), and will go on to Japan later in the fall. Airbus, which has an engineering base in Mobile, Ala., felt it was imperative to bring the exhibit to the Gulf Coast.

“Airbus is committed to the Gulf Coast community as this is one of our many homes around the world,” said David Trent, Site Director of Mobile’s Airbus Engineering Center. “With the oil spill, it’s now more important than ever to draw attention to the stunning variety and importance of nature and to encourage everyone to get involved in preserving it.”

Open Sept. 25 - Nov. 21, See the Bigger Picture will be featured in the Exploreum’s outdoor courtyard. The panels will be positioned in a tree-like manner, further reinforcing the concept of biodiversity. The Exploreum will proudly display plants indigenous to the Gulf Coast in its courtyard during the exhibit.

Finally, in addition to the 28 panels from children around the world, the Exploreum and Airbus partnered together to run a local version of the photo competition. Children ages 6-14 submitted photographs showcasing the biodiversity of the Gulf Coast region. Three local children will have their artwork on display during the international exhibit’s visit to Mobile. Local partners for the See the Bigger Picture exhibit and photo contest include Calagaz Photo, JubileeScape, Lowe’s Home Improvement and Alabama Coast Magazine.

The United Nations declared 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. As such, the Exploreum, which has been voted Alabama’s Attraction of the Year and a Top 15 Science Center in the country, devoted its year of programming to biodiversity as well. The science center is currently featuring an exotic reptile traveling exhibit in addition to its four permanent exhibits. Called Reptile Planet, the exhibition will be open through Oct. 24. Also showing during See the Bigger Picture is an exhibit featuring live, rescued sea lions from Nov. 10 - Nov. 21. For more information about the Exploreum, including exhibits, operating hours and prices, visit Exploreum.com.

Airbus is touring the See the Bigger Picture exhibition as part of its support of the CBD during 2010. As a leading aircraft manufacturer, the company is committed to reducing aviation’s 2% contribution to manmade CO2 emissions by using research and technology to develop increasingly eco-efficient aircraft. Airbus is also committed to supporting those tackling the other 98%. With nearly 20% of manmade CO2 coming from deforestation and nearly 30% of known species under threat, this includes using its global outreach to spread awareness of the importance of biodiversity and supporting the UN CBD’s The Green Wave initiative – a global celebration of biodiversity focused around 22 May each year. For more information visit www.greenwave.cbd.int.


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PHOTO CAPTION: (Courtesy of Gulf Coast Exploreum) Jillian Adams, 11, from Navarre, Fl. snapped this photo and was selected as the grand prize winner for the local See the Bigger Picture photo contest. Her picture, along with two other local children, will be on display at the Exploreum when the international See the Bigger Picture exhibition makes its United States debut on Sept. 25.

About the Exploreum:
The Gulf Coast Exploreum is a not-for-profit science center that promotes science learning through a variety of inquiry-based educational and entertaining activities, including exhibits, IMAX films, demonstrations, workshops and teacher professional development. Located in downtown Mobile, Exploreum visitors can experience more than 150 hands-on science adventures in four galleries: Minds On Hall, Hands On Hall, the Wharf of Wonder and the all-new My BodyWorks, the most advanced health exhibit in the nation. Guests can also enjoy live demonstrations in the Ciba Lab and BioLab daily and see a film in the J.L. Bedsole IMAX Dome Theater. Voted Mobile’s #1 Family Attraction and the 08-09 Alabama Attraction of the Year, the Exploreum is the only science technology center serving south Alabama, south Mississippi and northwest Florida.