Discover Science And You At The Family Museum
The Family Museum is proud to present Science + You, a groundbreaking interactive children’s exhibit presented in conjunction with scientists at AbbVie, the global biopharmaceutical company. The exhibit will be on display through April 19, 2020.
Sponsored by the AbbVie Foundation, the 1,200 square-foot Science + You exhibit offers a child-sized laboratory where children can explore how scientists impact health and wellness. Through hands-on, interactive machinery, processes, and technology; Science + You demonstrates the role science plays in keeping the body healthy. A demonstration area of the exhibit also will allow visiting scientists and educators to perform fun and interactive scientific experiments appropriate for young children.
The exhibit was created by Kohl Children’s Museum of Greater Chicago, located in Glenview, Illinois. Since its debut there in 2011, the exhibit has traveled to museums in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, as well as internationally to Germany and Brazil.
“We could not be more honored to partner with AbbVie on this important new exhibit,” said Sheridan Turner, President and CEO of Kohl Children’s Museum. “We worked closely with scientists at Abbott, AbbVie’s former parent company to design an exhibit that sparks children’s curiosity and interest in the world of science. Through AbbVie’s continued support, and the hands-on activities and play of the exhibit, we hope to communicate how science impacts our world and our bodies.”
“The Science + You exhibit is designed after research labs at AbbVie,” said Stephanie Bynum, vice president of programs at Kohl Children’s Museum. “We consulted with their scientists to find effective ways to communicate scientific discovery.”
“We are thrilled to be a part of this unique and exciting exhibit that allows children to become young scientists,” said Tracie Haas, divisional vice president for corporate responsibility at AbbVie. “Using the hands-on tools, machines and processes in the exhibit will give them a better understanding of how scientists work, which will hopefully inspire an interest in science and the pursuit of future science careers.”
Entering the Exhibit
Children will enter the exhibit as if entering a real-life laboratory. At the first station they can pretend to wash their hands and then wipe their feet on a special gel-like floor mat that changes colors to represent the dirt particles it is removing. Children can even walk through a pretend shower to be bathed in blue lights before they put on their white lab coat. Graphics will communicate how important it is for scientists to work in a clean environment.
Antibodies
Demonstrating how antibodies act in the body, this component of the exhibit offers children the opportunity to understand a complex process through play. A clear Plexiglas structure is filled with magnetic balls, which represent “germs” in the body. Four stations outside the structure include a moveable antibody that children can use to manipulate germs. Children use the antibodies to collect the germs within the structure and move them to the “white blood cell” tube. Once the germs have been transferred into the white blood cell tube, they are dropped into a hopper. When all the germs are collected in the hopper the activity is complete and the body deemed healthy. The germs are dropped back into the center of the structure and the activity begins again.
Glove Box
Children can use a glovebox, a sealed container used by real-life scientists, with gloves built into the sides allowing one to manipulate objects safely. Demonstrating how scientists use a glovebox to contain materials as well as protect themselves, the children will wear thick gloves to measure substances using beakers, funnels and other lab equipment.
Mixing and Separating Test Lab
Exploring how scientists use machines to mix liquids and solids, this component of the exhibit demonstrates how different types of equipment function. Children can see the machines in action and can also manually mix and separate liquids and solids themselves.
Magnification Area
This exhibit features a specialized Wentzscope and video microscopes that magnify objects on a large video screen, allowing younger children to compare and contrast an array of natural and man-made items up close.
Healthy Lifestyle
Science has shown us that we need a balanced lifestyle to stay healthy. This exhibit component emphasizes the importance of nutrition, exercise and rest with an interactive activity. The exhibit features an outline of a human body with a hollow center. Children place puzzle pieces representing various forms of nutrition, exercise and rest in different areas of the body. When a healthy balance of all the components is achieved, children hear a congratulatory message. The exhibit promotes being active in a variety of ways, from traditional exercise such as riding a bike, to common activities such as cleaning the house, doing the dishes or walking to school.
Test Kitchen
In the test kitchen children will make a ‘healthy soup’ choosing their own combination of appropriate ingredients. Teaching children the importance of a balanced diet, this exhibit has stations with soup pots that can hold up to six ingredients. Children pick the ingredients from the five food groups. The burner under their soup pot lights up when they’ve selected the correct balance of healthy ingredients.
Science Reflection
Children can share their scientific thoughts and reflections after experiencing in the exhibit. A variety of images, drawings and terminology from the exhibit is provided that children can use to create their own collage. A display wall allows children to share their collage reflection with the public. Grease pencils will also be provided for children to write down their impressions.
About AbbVie and the AbbVie Foundation
AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott. The company’s mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to develop and market advanced therapies that address some of the world’s most complex and serious diseases. In 2013, AbbVie employs approximately 21,000 people worldwide and markets medicines in more than 170 countries. For further information on the company and its people, portfolio and commitments, please visit www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter or view careers on their Facebook or LinkedIn page.
The AbbVie Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) foundation established in late 2012 to advance science and medical innovation, expand access to health care and promote science education around the globe. The Foundation engages in a wide range of partnerships designed to improve the state of health care and address unmet needs all over the world.
About the Family Museum
With 44,000 square feet of programming space, the Family Museum provides interactive exhibits, various Drop-In classes, preschool classes, school and community outreach, dance classes, and a variety of programs geared toward children 8 and under. Visitors to the Family Museum’s interactive exhibit gallery will discover how food moves from the modern farm to the local store by caring for animals, driving a combine, and moving grain, in the farm exhibit; explore the Mississippi River by adding obstacles and raising or lowering water levels as they watch their boat make its journey down a 28-foot indoor waterplay table resembling an actual stretch of the Mississippi River; chat with neighbors or wave to the mail carrier in the town square exhibit which includes features of everyday life; and make alphabet soup, wash the laundry, and splash around in the virtual pond (without getting wet!) in PlayHouse. Admission is $9 for ages 1-59; seniors 60+ are $5; children under 1 are free.
