Engage

Want to engage with the event tonight from wherever you are? 

• Watch the movie on iTunes or Vimeo
• Watch the live webcast of the introduction and panel
• Join the conversation on Twitter: #DreaMIT for this specific event, and #UnderwaterDreams for the film in general. 

Overview

Underwater Dreams is the epic true story of how four undocumented students from Carl Hayden High School taught themselves how to build an underwater robot from Home Depot parts...and defeated a team of MIT engineers at a national competition. The film has been called "astonishing... already a contender for best documentary of 2014" (David Noh, Film Journal).

On Friday, October 24th, the Edgerton Center will host the campus debut of Underwater Dreams. The documentary was filmed in part on campus and features several MIT faculty, staff, and students, including Professor Woodie Flowers, Instructor Ed Moriarty '76, and members of the Edgerton Center ROV team that competed against the Carl Hayden students. The story of the Institute and its students is woven deeply into the narrative of the movie as a symbol of what an engineering education is and ought to be, as well as to whom such an education is available. 

Professor J. Kim Vandiver PhD '75, Dean for Undergraduate Research and Director of the Edgerton Center, will introduce the film, to be followed by a panel including: 

• Mary Mazzio, director of Underwater Dreams
• Junot Díaz, Professor of Writing at MIT
• Sofía Campos G. '15 (DUSP), cofounder of DreaMIT
• Jose Gomez '17 (Course XVI), cofounder of DreaMIT
• Renata Teodoro, Lead Coordinator of SIM and peer advisor to DreaMIT

and moderated by Professor Phillip L. Clay PhD '75, Head of DUSP's Housing, Community + Economic Development Group and former Chancellor of MIT. 

Program 

• 6:00-6:10PM: Introduction by Professor J. Kim Vandiver
• 6:10-7:30PM: Screening of Underwater Dreams
• 7:30-8:30PM: Panel Discussion + audience Q&A

to be followed by a reception (with light refreshments) in the lower atrium of E15.

FAQs

How do I register for the event? 

You may register for a ticket above. We anticipate that this event will meet or exceed capacity, so if you plan to come, make sure to get a ticket, as ticketholders will be granted priority access to the event. 

Update: as of 10/20/2014, we have again sold out. On the day of the event, the movie and panel will be simulcast to an overflow room in 4-237; if 10-250 exceeds capacity, guests will be directed there. 

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

Due to overwhelming interest we have moved the event to Room 10-250, an auditorium at the center of MIT's campus, directly beneath the Great Dome before Killian Court. 

Pedestrians: navigate to 77 Massachusetts Avenue and walk up the main steps into Lobby 7. Follow signs and continue straight ahead down the Infinite Corridor. Once you have arrived at Memorial Lobby in Building 10, walk up the stairs, following signs for 10-250. 

Public Transit: you may take the number 1 or CT1 bus to 77 Massachusetts Avenue, or take the Red Line to Kendall Square. Once you have arrived at Kendall, walk west across campus toward main campus and Building 10; it is an ~8 minute walk from Kendall, and there will be signs along the way. You may find it helpful to install the MIT Mobile app on your smartphone or use this map to get your bearings. 

Driving: there is limited pay parking available at the MIT West Garage lot located at 125 Vassar St. After parking, walk east on Vassar until the intersection of Vassar with Mass Ave, then turn right to 77 Massachusetts Avenue. 

If all else fails: find your way along the Charles River until you see the Great Dome, and then come meet us directly underneath it! 

How else can I get involved?

We will be streaming the panel live on the web. We cannot stream the movie due to copyright restrictions, but those who cannot watch the event can watch the movie on demand via iTunes or Vimeo. 

Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Questions should be directed to Camilla Brinkman of the Edgerton Center at camillab [at] mit [dot] edu.