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| Vol. 20, No. 10 |
| June 1, 1998 |
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Germs Invade Museum!
Developed by the New York Hall of Science with funding from the National Science Foundation, Hidden Kingdoms: The World of Microbes presents an in-depth look at the previously invisible world of microbes, made visible thanks to improved techniques in preparing, preserving and presenting live microorganisms. To get a sense of scale, visitors begin their journey through the exhibit dwarfed by a giant 12-foot-tall eye of a sewing needle covered with microbes at 1,000 times their normal size. Nearby, a "Microbial Zoo" features an assortment of microbes from pink Blepharisma to a long-nosed Dileptus, all of whom can be observed swimming, eating, conjugating and dividing. At "Good and Bad Microbes," back-lit photos with text provide examples of both harmful and beneficial microorganisms - from those that cause disease and illness to those that help cure illness. Two interactive computer programs use colorful graphics, animations, sound effects and text to interpret HIV and AIDS, and to explore how the human immune system functions to prevent illness. Visitors also can examine a living culture of Penicillium, the mold that produces penicillin, and learn how the discovery of penicillin helped transform medicine in the 1940s. In another exhibit area, visitors examine the microbes used in the production of familiar food products, such as yogurt, cheese and beer. Opening a full-size refrigerator, they find moldy food and a time-lapse video, which captures the degradation of a bowl of fruit over time. Nearby, visitors can use a video microscope to take a closer look at whatever they can put under it - hands, keys, lint from clothing. Finally, a mosaic table displaying 90 color slides allows visitors to explore the great diversity of color, size and shape within the microbial world. At the center of the exhibition stands a mini-laboratory, where all specimens for the show are prepared. "The chance to see how slides are prepared and to talk with staff about what they're doing is something kids may never get to do anywhere else," explains Barry M. Buxton, Ph.D., director of the Museum of Health & Medical Science. "Hidden Kingdoms will provide all of our visitors with a unique opportunity to have fun learning about the connection between germs and disease and to witness first-hand just how vast and important the microbial world is to human existence." In addition to the built-in components of this traveling exhibit, the museum's Health Education staff has created a variety of special programs and activities that will provide even more opportunities for family learning - and fun! - DEBRA MAURER
©2006 Texas Medical Center E-Mail: tmc-info@tmc.edu URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/06_01_98/page_05.html |
A national traveling exhibit will bring the fascinating - and sometimes disgusting - invisible world of germs to the Museum of Health & Medical Science from June 6 through August 30.