Stem Cell Mountain on BBC Country File Live with Winchester Science Centre
Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium exhibit features at BBC Countryfile Live
One of Winchester Science Centre's key exhibits will be at this year's BBC Countryfile Live show, teaching visitors all about stem cells.
Stem Cell Mountain was conceived in partnership with the University of Southampton as part of its ongoing collaboration and research. The University's Dr Jonathan Dawson and Professor Richard Oreffo sought a fun and engaging way to communicate its important research into stem cells to children and families.
Specialising in making interactive science exhibits for children, Winchester Science Centre provided its expertise to create the exhibit, which has since become one of the Science Centre's most popular.
In fact, Stem Cell Mountain is now in its second iteration due to its popularity with both the public and researchers. Having visited various festivals and events, including the University of Southampton Roadshow, the exhibit has engaged over 300,000 school children, festival goers and science aficionados across the UK. Its next stop will be at BBC Countryfile Live, taking place at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire from 4 - 7 August.
Stem Cell Mountain combines the fun of a pinball machine with some key biological concepts, bringing the complex idea of stem cell potential to life. Members from the University of Southampton will be on-hand at BBC Countryfile Live to provide more information and insight from their important stem cell research that inspired the exhibit.
Ben Ward, Director at Winchester Science Centre, said: “We're delighted to see Stem Cell Mountain visiting this year's BBC Countryfile Live event. It's one of our most popular exhibits with our visitors, and is a perfect example of how we blend education with fun at the Winchester Science Centre - engaging children and adults alike with science. We hope everyone visiting BBC Countryfile Live over the coming days takes the time to visit Stem Cell Mountain and discover how much fun science can be."
Dr Jonathan Dawson, EPSRC Early Career Research Fellow at University of Southampton, added: “Stem cell mountain combines the fun of a pinball machine with a lively metaphor that really brings to life the big ideas of stem cell research. Visitors learn about how stem cells could be used to repair our bodies as they turn wheels to send ’stem cells' spinning down the giant marble run and pull levers to direct them towards various ‘cell-type’ destinations. It really captures the imagination about what stem cells could make possible.”
Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium is South England's leading hands-on, interactive, science and technology centre with the largest standalone planetarium in the UK. The Science Centre is a self-funded, independent educational charity and relies on Gift Aid and visitor donations to stay open seven days a week.
Online booking discount available on general entry. To book, visit www.winchestersciencecentre.org or call 01962 863791.
More information can be found here.