Darwin 2009 Press Event: “Ask Darwin” – The Darwin Synthetic Interview, Spiral of Life Mural, and Horse Feet come together at the Carnegie Science Center

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Just in time for Darwin’s birthday, the “Ask Darwin” display (aka The Darwin Synthetic Interview) was unveiled for the press on Thursday, February 5 at the Carnegie Science Center. Press staff from WTAE, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review tried out the kiosk for the first time, choosing from over 199 questions to ask the life-sized Darwin.

The event brought together all of the collaborators that worked to bring “Ask Darwin” to life, including John Pollock and Dave Lampe of Duquesne University, Don Marinelli, John Dessler, and Shirley Saldamarco of Carnegie Mellon’s Entertainment Technology Center, and the team at the Carnegie Science Center. Also present was the actor who portrays Darwin in the display - CMU drama alumnus Randy Kovitz - who for the first time, was able to see himself as a life-sized Darwin in the ‘digital’ flesh.

Top: Joana Ricou, creator of the ‘Spiral’ series, with mural.
Bottom: Duquesne student interns Brinley Kantorski and Allison Pogue manning the horse feet station.

After an introduction by Ron Baillie, co-Director of the Carnegie Science Center, speeches were given by John Pollock, Dave Lampe, and Don Marinelli that highlighted the conceptualizing and making of the Darwin SI and its broader implications. Marinelli, executive producer of the Education Technology Center, coined the term “edu-tainment” to best describe the value that “Ask Darwin” can bring to schools and the general public.

The display wasn’t the only attraction at the event. It was accompanied by a mural from the “Spiral of Life” mural series, which was specifically created for the “Ask Darwin” exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center. The mural, which was created by the Regenerative Medicine Partnership in Education, shows how our current understanding of evolution is rooted in Darwin’s notes and observations and is a permanent installation alongside the display.

The press also had a special opportunity to make their own molds from ancient and modern horse feet replicas that will be used in the Exploration Station activity at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, as well as sold for use in schools and museums.

All photos courtesy of Duquesne University Office of Public Affairs. 

Pollock and Lampe (far right) with Pollock’s Partnership in Education team

John Pollock of Duquesne University

Don Marinelli of the ETC