Star Trek has had a huge influence on scientists and engineers. It’s a show that celebrated these professions and served as an inspiration to young viewers. That inspiration will receive the celebration it deserves on September 4th when The Smithsonian Channel airs Building Star Trek. Per the press release, “will follow the conservation team from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum as they attempt to restore and conserve the original 11-foot, 250-pound model of the U.S.S. Enterprise from the original series. The special also will track the effort to rebuild a model of the original U.S.S. Enterprise bridge by using authentic set pieces and props, which recently went on display at Seattle’s EMP Museum.”

Additionally, the show will profile the scientists and engineers who are making the technology first introduced on the show from warp drives to medical tricorders to cloaking devices to tractor beams. It should be a very cool special.

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Image via The Smithsonian Channel

But that’s not all! “Smithsonian Channel is also launching the BUILDING STAR TREK Sweepstakes www.buildingstartreksweeps.com, which is offering Trekkies the chance to win a trip to Star Trek: Mission New York. This three-day event is the ultimate destination for Star Trek fans, filled with interactive exhibits, exclusive merchandise, celebrity guests, panels, screenings and much more. Star Trek: Mission New York will take place September 2-4, 2016 at the Javits Center in Manhattan. One sweepstakes winner will win a four-night trip to New York, VIP passes to Star Trek: Mission New York and VIP passes to the Starfleet Academy Experience at the Intrepid Museum.”

So there’s not only a must-see special, but also a cool contest to go along with it. This is the due Star Trek deserves for its 50th anniversary, and hopefully for those of us who don’t have the Smithsonian Channel, this special will be available on a streaming service soon.