Life Science Research Weekend at the Pacific Science Center

November 8-11, Thursday-Sunday

Program Highlights

See how virtual snow can relieve pain
A virtual reality snow world with snowfall, skiers and flying snowballs is proving beneficial to burn patients by relieving excessive pain during wound care and physical therapy. Experience a 3D, virtual snow world at the exhibit from UW Mechanical Engineering, Human Interface Technology Laboratory.

Use a simulated person to cure a disease
How can doctors and nurses get experience and become proficient at treating real life diseases or life threatening situations? They can turn to SimMan, a high tech, anatomically correct mannequin that can respond realistically to drugs and even speak. Sim Man has vital signs, heart, breath and bowel sounds, lung sounds and blinking eyes. Come meet Sim Man and nurses from Renton Technical College, who are part of the Consortium for Nursing Education in Washington State (CNEWS) Sim Task Force.

Explore what a mouse wants in a house
You know your preferences for a good bed and the perfect wall colorings in your home, but do you know what a mouse would like in his house? The responsible use of animals in research includes providing animals with optimal housing and environmental enrichment. Come to the demonstrations on Thursday, Nov. 8 th, to hear two veterinarians explain what mice and rats prefer in their home environments.

Unlock the secrets of surgery with a skeleton
Have you ever seen a heart stent, a heart valve, or handled an artificial, replacement knee? Now is your chance! Students from the UW BioMedical Engineering Society (BMES) will show and explain some common medical devices – and where they are used in a human skeleton.

Learn what makes a heart healthy
Explore the fat, sugar, and salt content of fast food menu items, dissect a sheep heart, and play a blood pressure game at the Youth Take Heart exhibit. You can explore models of the heart and replacement blood vessels. Youth Take Heart is a middle school and community outreach program specializing in heart health and bioengineering. Partners include: The Hope Heart Institute, University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB), and Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA).

Compare your genetics to that of a fruit fly
What genetic traits make you similar or different from a fruit fly, a mouse, or a worm? How are you different from other people? Note some of your genetic traits (mid-digital finger hair, tongue rolling, widows peak), make a badge, and note how many other people possess those same genetic traits. The interactive display from the UW Genome Sciences Education Outreach will enlighten and entertain children and adults.

Discover how your genes affect how you taste food
Does food taste differently to you and your friends? Find out if you carry the gene that causes food to taste bitter. Amgen scientists will show you how gene sequences are confirmed through special lab tests and explain how genetic information is important to Amgen research.

Take a trip into a human brain
Learn about the amazing cells that make up the brain and the connections that are so important for the many functions of your brain. Build a model nerve cell! See a model of the brain. Attend a demonstration on Friday, Nov. 9 th, by Dr. Eric Chudler, from UW Bioengineering Dept., and visit the activity table staffed by UW researchers from the Neurobiology and Behavior Community Outreach program.

Learn about the great careers in Life Sciences
Imagine what it would be like to be a scientist - then dress up like one and get your picture taken! The Northwest Association for Biomedical Research (NWABR) invites you to their “career trunk” to find out about the special dress and accessories used by scientists and other personnel at research companies and institutions. Learn about science education outreach programs that connect researchers with students, teachers and the community.

Meet and talk to scientists working for better health for people everywhere
More than twenty companies and research institutions from around the state will be represented at the Life Sciences Research Weekend, Nov. 8-11, at the Pacific Science Center. Scientists will be present daily from 11am to 3pm to tell you about their work and lead you through activities related to their research. The Northwest Association for Biomedical Research (NWABR) and Washington Biomedical & Biotechnology Association (WBBA) are encouraging their member organizations to present the fascinating ground-breaking research that goes on in our state.

• Highlights
  See how virtual snow can relieve pain, use a simulated person to cure a disease, unlock the secrets of surgery with a skeleton, and MUCH more!
  
• Schedule of Events
  
• Visitor Information
  
• Other Life Science Research Week Activities