Science in Action: Researchers Live!
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December 08, 2008
The Museum of Science is fortunate to be located in a region alive with leading developments in many exciting fields of science. Our proximity to world-class colleges and universities, hospitals and laboratories, established companies and start-ups gives us access to accomplished researchers based in the Boston area and drawn here from all over the world.
How do Museum visitors benefit from the wealth of knowledge of these researchers? Let us count the ways...
Living Labs
Museumgoers can participate in live scientific research through our Living Laboratories, within the Human Body Connection and the Discovery Center.
Visitors enjoy participating in meaningful studies, and researchers benefit from a constant flow of willing participants. Andy Baron of Harvard University's Social Psychology Laboratory proclaims, "This model of bringing live research into the Museum is groundbreaking."
In one ongoing investigation in the Human Body Connection, researchers from Children's Hospital Boston hope to learn how children develop the ability to recognize faces. Photographs of humans and monkeys help measure the face-processing strategies commonly used by adults. Understanding the ways in which these strategies are employed may reveal whether face recognition is different in children afflicted by disorders such as autism, which impairs social interaction and communication.
At the Forefront of Science
The Gordon Current Science & Technology Center is the Museum's presentation and exhibit area that focuses on bringing late-breaking science news to visitors. Each year the center plays host to dozens of distinguished researchers giving presentations on timely topics. Noted researchers participate in many contemporary formats, including videocasts and podcasts, and more traditional forums, adult seminars, and children's events.
Modern Medicine
A great example of a recent event featuring local researchers was the day-long Military Medicine event held on Veterans Day, November 11. Visitors met VIRGIL ™ , a realistic mannequin with a PC-based graphical interface designed by a team at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and learned how he works as a training tool. They were also introduced to MGH researchers who developed the life-saving technology for QuikClot ® , which stops severe bleeding, a common cause of death on the battlefield.
Education associate Susan Heilman says that the Museum staff can access great speakers on virtually any topic and that over 90% of those asked are delighted to participate. This high participation rate is another reminder of how fortunate we are to foster collaboration in an environment of exciting scientific discoveries that benefit all of us: researchers, parents, children, teachers, adults, and Museum professionals.
This article appears in the December 2008 - January 2009 issue of Sparks! , a newsletter for members and friends of the Museum.
